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Marriage Records Online - Where and How Much?
Acquiring marriage records online could not be easier. If you are the bride
or groom or are directly related to them, then finding and getting a copy of the
marriage record is as easy as a mouse click.
Marriage records online are available through the many vital records offices
websites, where a public index includes information such as the names of the
bride and groom, the county where they filed the marriage application, and the
marriage date.
Depending on the issuing office, copies of marriage records may be found at the
state, county, or city level. The telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of
these offices may be found online. The first thing you should do is to inquire
about the level of access the state allows (e.g., verification only).
It is possible that the couple filed a confidential marriage application, which
means records may only be opened by the bride, the groom, or through a court
order. Otherwise, access to records depends on eligibility. For instance, you
are entitled to a certified copy of a marriage record if the person listed on
the record is your parent or guardian, your spouse, your child or grandchild, a
grandparent, or a sibling.
Vital records units may grant access if you are the doctor, lawyer, or funeral
director of the person on record. Someone who is eligible to access the marriage
records may also grant you access. The application form has a special section
devoted to this purpose.
How Much Will Getting Marriage Records Online Cost?
The cost of getting marriage records online vary; especially if you use sources
other than government vital records offices.
The typical fee charged by a vital records unit is $10 per marriage license. The
fee is generally the same even if you just want a simple verification.
If you request records by telephone, e-mail, or website, you will be charged a
fee to have the document authenticated and mailed to you. The fee is usually
upwards of $11, but if you want it sent by FedEx, you will have to shoulder the
additional cost.
Note that the vital records office may grant you a waiver on fees, depending on
your purpose. For example, they may waive fees for military or school purposes.
If all you want is a simple verification, you may also try any of the free
Internet databases online; to find them, simply type in “free marriage records online”
in your browser window. However, if you really want to find and request a copy
of a particular marriage record online, then do try out RecordsSiteReviews'
online marriage
records section for an unbiased listing of today's top search service
providers.
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