The Record of Marriage Process Throughout History

Marriage records today are as detailed as can be but it was not so in the ‘early days’. Read up on the evolution of marriage records and how they transformed from simple one-line clergy notes to the full-on information assault you can find online today.

The record of marriage, during America’s early days, used to be limited to an entry made by a clergyman in a church book. In instances where no church records existed, the only evidence of a marriage would be a notation in the personal diary of the clergyman who presided over the marriage vows.

So informal were early recording systems that, at times, a marriage would only be recorded — if at all — as part of the record of a baptism because it was regarded as the more important event.

Unless clergymen were unusually thorough, early records did not have many details. For many generations, records would just stay with the local church if the state did not ask that records be submitted. It was especially difficult for the government to keep track because there were ministers who did not even represent established churches.

Formal Record of Marriage: The Early Days

Record of marriage initiatives began mostly in big cities that established registries in the early days. State registries only existed much later.

Even smaller counties began having marriage registries before states did. Soon after a country was established, it would set up a recording system for marriages performed in its jurisdiction. And although country guidelines on requiring a marriage to be registered were not uniform, the majority of couples were excited enough about the event to travel all the way to the county seat to comply.

Marriage Records Today

The record of marriage by state became more detailed around the turn of the last century. The first states to establish detailed state registries were:

- New Hampshire in the mid-17th century
- Vermont in the latter part of the 18th century
- Washington D.C. at the start of the 19th century

Colorado was the last of the states to do so, as late as 1968.

Nowadays, states require the bride and groom to answer questions about their parents, previous marriages, where they were born and where they currently live, and what they do for a living.

Other states go into even greater detail before they issue a license. For instance, Washington State requires an affidavit, as part of the record of marriage, signed by the bride and groom stating, among other things, that each is aware of the other’s status regarding sexually transmitted diseases!

Clergymen performing marriages are also required by law to be licensed or ordained for a marriage to be valid.

So as you can deduce, the marriage records you are looking for may or may not be found (depending largely on when and where the marriage took place). To start finding out, go to RecordsSiteReviews' online records of marriage section and start your search!
 
Back To Public Records Directory | Link To Reviews