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How to get a copy of a marriage certificate

Certified marriage copies come either from the state vital records office or from the county office that issued the license, depending on the state and the year. The federal government does not issue certificates.1 In the table below, a first copy costs from $32 in New Mexico to $323 in Massachusetts.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. The steps
  2. Marriage certificates in every state and territory
  3. Ordering online
  4. License or certificate?
  5. Sources

The steps

  1. Find the right office. It is the state office or the county where the license was issued; the state pages below say which, and for which years. The office finder answers this for a state, record and year.
  2. Check that you may order. Most states limit certified copies to the person on the record, close family and legal representatives; each state page lists who qualifies, in the state's own words.
  3. Get your ID ready. States ask for a government photo ID, and many list alternatives if you have none. A mail order usually needs a copy of the ID.
  4. Choose how to order. Online (through the state or the vendor it names), by mail, in person or at a local office. Fees and times differ by channel; the table compares them.
  5. Pay the exact fee. Write the payee exactly as the state prints it. Many states keep the fee as a search fee if no record is found.

The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics lists what a request should include:4

  • Full names of bride and groom
  • Month, day, and year of marriage
  • Place of marriage (city or town, county, and State)
  • Purpose for which copy is needed
  • Relationship to persons whose record is requested
  • Day time telephone number with area code

Marriage certificates in every state and territory

Tap a state for the full guide: who can order, ID, every fee, forms and the office address. Tap a source number to read the state's own words. A dash means the state does not publish that figure on the pages we use.

AlabamaAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics5$156$66At a local office: Same day6Vendor: VitalChek Network5
AlaskaAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Records Section7$308$258–Vendor: VitalChek9
ArizonaClerk of the Superior Court in the county where the event occurred10––––
ArkansasArkansas Department of Health, Vital Records11$1011$1012In person: Same day11State-run: ADH's 'Vital Records' online service at ar.gov/vitalrecords13
CaliforniaCalifornia Department of Public Health – Vital Records14$1915$1915At a local office: Same day16Vendor: VitalChek Network17
ColoradoClerk and Recorder of the county where the license was issued (certified copy of the record); CDPHE issues a certified verification only18$2519$2019By mail: 21 to 25 business days20Vendor: VitalChek21
ConnecticutConnecticut Department of Public Health, State Vital Records Office22$2023$2023By mail: Up to 12 weeks24Vendor: VitalChek Network24
DelawareOfficial office––––
District of ColumbiaDC Superior Court, Marriage Bureau25$1025$1025–State-run: DC Superior Court26
FloridaFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics27$527$427By mail: 3 to 5 business days27Vendor: VitalChek27
GeorgiaCounty Probate Court; State Office of Vital Records for June 1952 to August 199628$1029$529––
HawaiiHawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring30$1031, plus $2.5031 administration fee$431By mail: 4 to 6 weeks32State-run: Hawaii Department of Health ordering site on eHawaii.gov31
IdahoIdaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics (from May 1947); county recorder for the recorded license33$1634$1634Online through VitalChek Network, Inc.: 3 to 5 weeks35Vendor: VitalChek Network36
IllinoisCounty clerk of the county where the marriage occurred37––Online through VitalChek: 10 to 15 business days on average38Vendor: VitalChek38
IndianaClerk of Court in the county where the marriage was issued; Indiana Department of Health for a Record of Marriage39$440$440By mail: 10 to 15 business days41–
IowaIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics42$2043$2044In person: Same day45Vendor: VitalChek45
KansasOfficial office––––
KentuckyOfficial office––––
LouisianaLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics46$547$547By mail: 8 to 10 weeks48Vendor: VitalChek Network48
MaineMaine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine CDC, Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics49$1550$650In person: Same day50Vendor: VitalChek50
MarylandMaryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records51$1252$1253In person: Same day54Vendor: VitalChek Network51
MassachusettsMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics55$323$3256In person: Same day3Vendor: VitalChek3
MichiganOfficial office––––
MinnesotaCounty office that issued the marriage license57––At a local office: Up to 1 week58Vendor: VitalChek58
MississippiMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Records (statistical record); county Circuit Clerk59$1760$660Online through VitalChek: 7 to 10 business days61Vendor: VitalChek62
MissouriCounty Recorder of Deeds (certified copy of the marriage certificate); DHSS Bureau of Vital Records63$1564$1565Online through VitalChek: 5 to 7 business days66Vendor: VitalChek67
MontanaOfficial office––––
NebraskaOfficial office––––
NevadaCounty Recorder (or County Clerk) of the county where the marriage license was issued68––––
New HampshireNew Hampshire Department of State, Division of Vital Records Administration69$1570$1070In person: Same day71Vendor: VitalChek71
New JerseyNew Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry72$2573$273In person: Same day73Vendor: VitalChek74
New MexicoCounty clerk of the county where the license was issued75$32$32–State-run: Bernalillo County Clerk76
New YorkNew York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section77$3078$3077–Vendor: VitalChek Network77
New York CityOffice of the City Clerk of New York79$1579$1079––
North CarolinaNorth Carolina Vital Records (NC Office of Vital Records, NCOVR), NC DHHS Division of Public Health80$2481$1581At a local office: Same day82Vendor: VitalChek82
North DakotaCounty office where the license was purchased and filed83$584$284––
OhioCounty probate court where the license was issued85––––
OklahomaCourt clerk of the district court of the county where the marriage license was issued86$187 for the first page–––
OregonOfficial office––––
PennsylvaniaRegister of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans Court of the issuing county88––In person: Same day89–
Rhode IslandOfficial office––––
South CarolinaOfficial office––––
South DakotaSouth Dakota Department of Health, Vital Records Office90$1591$1592–Vendor: VitalChek Network93
TennesseeTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records94$1595$1595In person: Same day96Vendor: VitalChek97
TexasCounty clerk of the county that issued the marriage license98–––State-run: Texas.gov99
UtahUtah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics100$25101$10101In person: Same day102State-run: Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics own online ordering system on secure.utah.gov103
VermontVermont Department of Health, Vital Records Office (2024-present); VSARA for older records104$10104$10105Online: 5 to 7 business days106State-run: Vermont.gov106
VirginiaVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records107$15108$15108In person: Same day109State-run: Virginia Department of Health109
WashingtonWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics110$25111$25111Online through VitalChek: 3 to 7 business days112Vendor: VitalChek113
West VirginiaWest Virginia Vital Registration Office (from 1964); county clerk where the license was issued114$12115$12115In person: Same day116Vendor: VitalChek116
WisconsinOfficial office––––
WyomingOfficial office––––
American SamoaOfficial office––––
GuamOffice of Vital Statistics, Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services117$10117$10118––
Northern Mariana IslandsOfficial office––––
Puerto RicoOfficial office––––
U.S. Virgin IslandsOfficial office––––

Ordering online

The state's own online ordering (sometimes run for the state by a contractor): Arkansas, District of Columbia, Hawaii, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.

Online only through a vendor the state names: Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia. The vendor adds its own processing fee; each state page lists it.

Commercial sites that are not named by the state can only send in the same application for you, for an extra fee. Our guide to VitalChek and other ordering services explains the difference.

License or certificate?

The license is the permission to marry, issued before the wedding; the certificate is the record that the marriage happened. Copies of the certificate are what agencies ask for. See Marriage license vs marriage certificate.

Sources

Each fee, time and office in the table links to its official source; tap a number to read the exact words.

  1. CDC National Center for Health Statistics pageCDC National Center for Health Statisticsdated August 15, 2022
  2. Bernalillo County Clerk Marriage LicensesBernalillo County Clerk
  3. Vital records service feesMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  4. Where to Write for Vital Records: Application GuidelinesCDC National Center for Health Statisticsdated November 6, 2015
  5. ADPH Center for Health Statistics, Vital Records home pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated February 3, 2026
  6. Marriage-certificates pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated June 2, 2026
  7. Health Analytics and Vital RecordsAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  8. Marriage form (PDF)Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated April 1, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  9. Vital Records OrdersAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  10. ADHS Vital Records: Marriage & Divorce RecordsArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  11. Order marriage recordsArkansas Department of Health
  12. Application MC Vital Records (PDF)Arkansas Department of Healthdated August 1, 2011
  13. Order death recordsArkansas Department of Health
  14. CDPH Vital Records homeCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated August 14, 2026
  15. Vital Records FeesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 29, 2026
  16. Vital recordsocrecorder.com/clerk-services/vital-recordsOrange County Clerk-Recorder
  17. Marriage Records Online RequestLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
  18. Apostilles and Authentications: General informationColorado Secretary of State
  19. Fee schedule, effective 1/1/2026Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated January 1, 2026
  20. Application for Certified Verification of a Marriage Record/Civil Union, REV. 12/2025Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated December 1, 2025
  21. Order certificate nowColorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated July 27, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  22. Marriage and Civil Union CertificatesConnecticut Department of Public Health, State Vital Records Office
  23. VS-39MST Request for a Certified Copy of Marriage Record, State (Revised 9/10/09)Connecticut Department of Public Health, State Vital Records Officedated September 10, 2009
  24. How to Obtain a RecordConnecticut Department of Public Health, State Vital Records Office
  25. DC Superior Court Family Court Operations Division - Marriage Bureau pageDistrict of Columbia Courtsdated February 17, 2026
  26. DC Superior Court Marriage Bureau - order certified copy of marriage recordDistrict of Columbia Courtsdated February 12, 2026
  27. Marriage certificatesfloridahealth.gov/certificates-records/marriage-certificatesFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
  28. Georgia Department of Public Health pageGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated January 9, 2025
  29. Birth CertificatesGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated March 11, 2026
  30. Request for Certified Copy of Birth RecordHawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoringdated September 1, 2025
  31. Vital Records Ordering and TrackingHawaii State Department of Health, eHawaii.gov
  32. Hawaii Birth & Marriage CertificatesHawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring
  33. About Marriage and Divorce RecordsIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  34. Section 160208Idaho Administrative Code
  35. Processing Times and FeesIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  36. Ordering a Marriage and Divorce CertficiateIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  37. Marriage recordsdph.illinois.gov/…ices/birth-death-other-records/marriage-records.htmlIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  38. Marriage certificatescookcountyclerkil.gov/…ords/marriage-civil-union/marriage-certificatesCook County Clerk
  39. Vital Records: MarriagesIndiana Department of Health
  40. Indiana Judicial Branch: Apply for a Marriage LicenseIndiana Judicial Branch
  41. Marriage Application 10.2018.docxIndiana Department of Healthdated October 1, 2018
  42. Vital RecordsIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
  43. Iowa Admin. Code 641 Ch. 95 Vital Records: General Administration (IAC 6/10/26)Iowa Legislaturedated July 1, 2026
  44. Form 470-5451 Application to Order an Iowa Vital Record (07/26)Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statisticsdated July 1, 2026
  45. How to Request a Certified RecordIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
  46. Vital recordsldh.la.gov/vital-recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  47. Service feesLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  48. How to order orleans parish marriage recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  49. Vital Records (DRVS home)Maine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  50. Request DocumentsMaine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  51. Request Marriage CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  52. Maryland Department of Health: FeesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  53. Application for Certified Copy of Maryland Marriage RecordMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administrationdated April 1, 2018
  54. Processing TimeMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  55. Registry of Vital Records and StatisticsMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  56. Application for Vital Record (mail order form, DOCX)Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  57. Minnesota Department of Health pageMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated August 31, 2026
  58. Marriage license marriage certificateOlmsted County, Minnesota
  59. Marriage recordsmsdh.ms.gov/…ces/public-health-services/vital-records/marriage-recordsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated August 28, 2026
  60. Marriage Record Application InstructionsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated July 29, 2026
  61. Mississippi State Department of Health Revised 02/2026 Form 502Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated February 1, 2026
  62. Vital recordsmsdh.ms.gov/programs-services/public-health-services/vital-recordsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 14, 2026
  63. Order a Copy of a Vital Record | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  64. Notice of Fees | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  65. Application for Missouri Vital Record - Marriage/Divorce/Single Status (MO 580-2995, 3-2021)Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated March 1, 2021
  66. Frequently Asked Questions | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  67. Consumer Alert - Ordering a Vital Record Online | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  68. Marriage and Divorce RecordsNevada DPBH Office of Vital Recordsdated June 30, 2026
  69. Request for CertificatesNew Hampshire Secretary of State, Division of Vital Records Administrationdated September 14, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  70. VR201 Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record (Rev. 7/2025)New Hampshire Secretary of State, Division of Vital Records Administrationdated July 1, 2025read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  71. New Hampshire Secretary of State pageNew Hampshire Secretary of State, Division of Vital Records Administrationdated October 4, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  72. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/contact-usNew Jersey Department of Healthdated July 1, 2022
  73. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/non-genealogical-recordsNew Jersey Department of Healthdated June 15, 2026
  74. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/online-requestsNew Jersey Department of Healthdated July 9, 2021
  75. NMDOH Vital Records homeNew Mexico Department of Health
  76. Bernalillo County Clerk Marriage QuestionsBernalillo County Clerk
  77. Doh 4382 (PDF)New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated July 1, 2011
  78. Marriage Certificates - New York State Department of HealthNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated August 1, 2025
  79. Marriage recordscityclerk.nyc.gov/content/marriage-recordsOffice of the City Clerk of New York
  80. NC Vital Records home pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 23, 2026
  81. NC Vital Records fees pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  82. NC Vital Records order pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 23, 2026
  83. Certified Copies of Marriage RecordsND HHS Vital Records
  84. Burleigh County Recorder: Marriage InformationBurleigh County Recorder
  85. Vital StatisticsOhio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
  86. Birth and death certificatesOklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records
  87. Oklahoma Statutes 28 O.S. 31 Fees of court clerks, compiled PDF excerptOklahoma Legislaturedated November 1, 2004
  88. Marriage recordspa.gov/…-state-archives/research-online/vital-records/marriage-recordsPennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, State Archives
  89. Find and request a marriage recordCity of Philadelphia
  90. Vital recordsdoh.sd.gov/licensing-and-records/vital-recordsSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated September 14, 2026
  91. Vital records feesSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated January 9, 2025
  92. South Dakota Vital Records Request (application)South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  93. Order Vital RecordsSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated September 14, 2026
  94. Vital Records at the Library and ArchivesTennessee State Library and Archives
  95. Tennessee Department of Health: FeesTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  96. How long will it take?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated June 23, 2026
  97. How do I get my certificate? (In Person, Local County Health Department, Mail, or Online)Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  98. Marriage and Divorce FAQsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  99. Texas Department of State Health Services pageTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  100. Order a Vital Record CertificateUtah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  101. Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2026)Utah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statisticsdated July 1, 2026
  102. Get a copy of a certificateUtah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  103. Utah Vital Records online ordering (secure.utah.gov)Utah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  104. Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Marriage or Divorce or Civil Union Dissolution…Vermont Department of Healthdated June 1, 2026
  105. 18 V.S.A. chapter 101 (Vital Records), full chapterVermont General Assemblydated May 9, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  106. Vital Records Request Service (secure.vermont.gov), a service of the Vermont Department of HealthVermont Department of Health
  107. Office of Vital Records (home)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 5, 2026
  108. Online Application for a Vital RecordVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 5, 2026
  109. OVR Online - How it Works (Application for Certification of a Vital Record)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  110. Vital Records | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  111. Marriage and Divorce Certificate Order Form (DOH 422-104, November 2025)Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated November 1, 2025
  112. Ordering a Vital Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  113. Certificates and Informational Copies FAQ | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  114. Where to Write for Vital Records - West VirginiaCDC National Center for Health Statisticsdated November 6, 2015read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  115. Application for Certified Marriage Certificate (marriage26.pdf)West Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
  116. Certificate RequestsWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
  117. Office of Vital Statistics | DPHSSGuam Department of Public Health and Social Services, Office of Vital Statisticsdated September 15, 2025read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  118. 19 GCA Chapter 3 Contract of MarriageGuam Compiler of Laws (Supreme Court of Guam)dated January 31, 2018