Certified Marriage Certificate: When a Copy Must Be Certified
A certified marriage certificate is an official copy of the marriage record issued by the office that keeps it. Agencies often accept only certified copies as proof of marriage.
What vital record do you need?
Choose your certificate to start your order.
When certified copies are asked for
The Social Security Administration says a marriage document used as proof of a legal name change must be an original or certified copy. The State Department says a certified marriage certificate is accepted as proof of a name change on a passport. If you renew by mail more than a year after the name change, it asks for a "certified copy of your legal name change document."
How to get copies
Records are kept by the office that issued the license, according to the Town of Rye, New York, which says it provides a certified copy of the completed license after the ceremony and sells extra copies on request with a copy of photo ID. Rules vary by state and by county or town.
Certified versus plain copy
A plain photocopy is generally not accepted where a certified copy is required. Ask the receiving agency which version it needs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the certificate from my wedding day certified?
Not necessarily. Practices vary, so ask the issuing office whether the document you hold is a certified copy.
Who can order a copy?
Rules vary by state. Some places limit copies to the couple. California's confidential marriage records, for example, are available only to the couple or by court order.
Do I need it for a passport name change?
If you change your name through marriage, the State Department lists a certified marriage certificate as acceptable proof.
Sources
US Records is a private company and is not a government agency. Government agencies issue certified records; we help you order them.
Written By
US Records TeamThe US Records Team writes and reviews guides on birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates, using state statutes, agency instructions and court records as sources.
Most popular definitions
- Birth Certificate Number: What It Is and What the Digits Mean
- Adoption Birth Certificate: The New Certificate Issued After Adoption
- Affidavit of Birth: A Sworn Statement Used to Establish a Birth
- Amended Birth Certificate: What It Is and How It Appears
- Apostille: What It Is and When You Need One
- Authentication Certificate: Preparing U.S. Documents for Non-Hague Countries
- Authorized Requester: Who Can Order a Certified Vital Record
- Beneficiary: Who Receives Insurance, Accounts or an Estate
Recent definitions
- Adoption Birth Certificate: The New Certificate Issued After Adoption
- Affidavit of Birth: A Sworn Statement Used to Establish a Birth
- Amended Birth Certificate: What It Is and How It Appears
- Apostille: What It Is and When You Need One
- Authentication Certificate: Preparing U.S. Documents for Non-Hague Countries
Related guides
It depends on the state.
A marriage license is the document that gives you legal permission to marry.
