Deborah Chan
Whether or not you need your birth certificate to obtain a wedding license depends on where you live and where you plan to get married. For example, in San Bernardino County, a certified copy of a birth certificate is required, whereas in New York City, it is not. In Pennsylvania, only a copy of your passport is required, and in Connecticut, only a driver's license is needed. If you do not have your original birth certificate, you may be able to request a judge to waive the requirement, or you may be able to obtain a certified copy online.
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What You'll Learn
State-specific requirements
Alabama
By Alabama law, marriage certificates are unrestricted. They may be requested by anyone who can provide enough information to search for the record and submit payment of the proper fee. The fee to search for a marriage certificate is $15.00, which includes one certified copy of the record or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." Additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously cost $6.00 each. There is an additional fee of $15.00 to expedite the request.
Arizona
In Arizona, you need to provide identification and possibly proof of age. There is no requirement for a blood test or a copy of your dissolution of marriage decree. A marriage license is valid for 12 months after being issued by the state. To make a marriage license valid, it must have signatures from the individuals getting married, two witnesses, and the person who officiated the ceremony.
Arkansas
Both parties must be present to receive the license and must bring a government-issued photo ID and be over the age of 18. You may obtain a license in any county in Arkansas and use it to get married anywhere in the state. The license must be returned to the issuing county within 60 days of the date of issue.
Colorado
Licenses must be used within 35 days of being issued. Both applicants should be over the age of 18, and proof of identification and age is required. If either party is 16 or 17 years of age, a judicial order from juvenile court is required. The birth certificate must be in English; otherwise, it must be translated and notarized.
Connecticut
The Connecticut State Library has a Marriage Records Index, 1897-2001, which allows researchers to find the name, place, and date of marriage for couples. This information can be used to request a copy of a marriage certificate from the Town/City Clerk of the municipality listed in the search results.
Delaware
The Office of Vital Statistics holdings contain birth records newer than 72 years. If you were born after 1947, contact the Office of Vital Statistics to order a certified copy of your certificate. The Delaware Public Archives holdings contain birth records older than 72 years.
Florida
State residents have the option of attending a premarital course from a registered provider or waiting three days for the marriage license to become effective. A valid federal or state government photo identification card is required and must provide the legal name, date of birth, and signature of the applicant. If previously married, the exact date of death, divorce, or annulment of the last marriage is required.
Georgia
You will need proof of age, proof of divorce (if applicable), and a method of payment when applying for a marriage license. The signed marriage license should be returned to the probate court within 30 days of the ceremony, and you will receive your marriage certificate in the mail within 30 days.
Washington
Washington state law requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license can be used. The license is valid for 60 days after the three-day waiting period. The ceremony must take place within 60 days after the date the license was issued.
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Previous marriages
If you have been married before, you will need to provide documentary evidence that the marriage has ended, for example, through a death certificate or decree absolute. Uncertified photocopies are not accepted. You can obtain a certified copy of a decree absolute from the court that decided the divorce, which can take about a week.
In the UK, if you have been married before, you will need to provide documentary evidence that your previous marriage has ended. This can be in the form of a death certificate or decree absolute. You can obtain a certified copy of a decree absolute from the court that handled your divorce, although this can take some time.
In the US, the requirements for obtaining a marriage license vary by state. In some states, you may need to provide a divorce decree or a death certificate if you were widowed. It is important to contact the vital records office in the state where you plan to marry to understand the specific requirements.
If your previous marriage was abroad, there may be additional steps to take. For example, if you were married before November 9, 1989, you may need to contact the State Department to obtain a Certificate of Witness to Marriage Abroad.
It is worth noting that in the UK, certain marriages are considered void, meaning they are treated as if they never took place as they do not meet the requirements of UK law. Examples include marriages between closely related partners or where one partner did not give valid consent. Voidable marriages, on the other hand, are those that may be annulled, such as when one partner has been granted a full gender recognition certificate.
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Name changes
When it comes to changing your name after marriage, there are a few important steps to follow. Firstly, before your wedding, you must apply for a marriage license, which authorises you to legally wed. After the wedding ceremony, you will receive a marriage certificate, which serves as proof of your marriage. This document is crucial for changing your name on other identity documents.
To change your name, you must notify various federal and state agencies, such as the Social Security Administration (SSA). It is essential to update your name with the SSA before filing your tax returns, as every name on your tax return must match their records. You can then use your updated Social Security card as proof of your name change when dealing with other agencies.
The next step is to visit your state's motor vehicle office in person to change your name on your driver's license. Most states consider a name change to be part of the license renewal process, so you will need to fill out the renewal paperwork and provide the necessary documents, such as your updated Social Security card and a certified copy of your marriage certificate. If you plan to travel internationally soon after your wedding, it is recommended to wait until you return home to change your name on your passport.
You will also need to update your name with various other institutions and service providers, such as banks, insurance providers, utility companies, and loan providers. Each bank will have its own process for name changes, so be sure to check with your financial institution. For insurance policies, it is important to update your name as soon as possible to avoid any unintentional lapses in coverage. Most insurance providers will require you to provide updated identification and/or a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
Finally, remember that the name change process may vary slightly depending on your location. For example, in California, you can change your middle or last name by listing it on your marriage license before the wedding. After the wedding, you can then use your marriage certificate to update your California or federal identity documents. If you are changing your name to something other than a combination of your spouse's name or your current name, you may need to go through a more formal legal name change process, which may involve a court order.
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Missing/unavailable birth certificates
If your birth certificate is missing or unavailable, you may still be able to obtain a marriage license, depending on the requirements of your specific state, county, or town. Here are some important points to consider:
Location-Specific Requirements:
The requirement for a birth certificate when obtaining a marriage license can vary depending on the state, county, or town in which you are applying. Some locations may require it, while others may not. It is important to check with your local marriage license office to understand their specific requirements.
Alternative Forms of Identification:
If a birth certificate is not required, or if you are unable to present it due to it being missing or unavailable, alternative forms of identification may be accepted. This could include a valid driver's license, passport, or other government-issued photo ID. Some locations may also accept other forms of identification, such as a Social Security card or Tax ID (ITIN). It is important to inquire about acceptable alternative forms of identification when applying for your marriage license.
Additional Documentation:
In some cases, additional documentation may be required if you do not have your birth certificate. For example, if you have had previous name changes due to adoption or other reasons, you may need to provide adoption paperwork or other legal proof of name change. If you were previously married, you may need to provide proof that you are no longer married, such as a death certificate or divorce decree.
Obtaining a Replacement Birth Certificate:
If you have enough time before your marriage license application, you may be able to obtain a replacement birth certificate. Contact the vital records office in your state of birth to inquire about the process and requirements for obtaining a new birth certificate. This process may take some time, so it is important to plan ahead if you anticipate needing a replacement.
Religious or Cultural Ceremonies:
Certain religious or cultural ceremonies may have specific requirements for documentation, including a birth certificate. If your marriage includes these elements, be sure to research and understand the specific requirements well in advance of your wedding date.
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Other accepted forms of ID
While a birth certificate is not a valid form of ID, it is often required to obtain a marriage license. This is because a birth certificate serves as proof of citizenship, which is necessary for the marriage license. However, other forms of ID can also be used if you do not have your birth certificate.
A valid, government-issued photo ID is typically accepted as proof of identity when applying for a marriage license. Here are some examples of other accepted forms of ID:
- Passport: A valid, unexpired passport is a widely accepted form of identification in the United States. It includes your name, photograph, and date of birth, making it valid for identity verification.
- Driver's License: A driver's license issued by a US state or a Canadian government entity is often accepted as a primary form of identification.
- Military ID: A US military ID card or a US military dependent's ID card can be used as proof of identity.
- Social Security Card: While a Social Security card does not serve as a form of ID on its own, it can be used in conjunction with other forms of identification to verify your identity.
- Permanent Resident Card: Also known as Form I-551 or an alien registration receipt card, this can be presented as proof of identity.
- Employment Authorization Document: Issued by the Department of Homeland Security (Form I-766), this document can be used as proof of identity and employment authorization.
- Agency ID Badge: A government-issued photo ID badge, such as a federal, state, or local government agency ID, can be used as a secondary form of identification.
- Canadian Department of Indian Affairs Issued ID Card: This ID card is accepted as a form of identification in the United States.
It is important to note that the requirements for obtaining a marriage license may vary depending on your location. Some states or counties may have specific requirements, so it is always a good idea to check with your local marriage license office to confirm the necessary documentation. Additionally, if you have had any name changes, you may need to provide additional documentation, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, to link your current and previous names.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you need to bring your birth certificate along with your other required forms of identification and payment.
Yes, you need to bring a certified copy of your birth certificate, along with a valid photo ID.
It depends on the town/county. Some people have reported that they did not need their birth certificate, while others have said they did.
No, you only need to bring your driver's license.
No, you only need to bring your passport.
