Frequently Asked Questions about United States Marriage Records

How to Find United States Marriage Records FAQs about U.S. Marriage Records

Why would I want to search for a marriage record?

• May give the exact date and place where the marriage took place.
• May indicate where the bride and/or groom were born.
• May give you ages of the bride and/or groom.
• May give parents of the bride and/or groom.
• May indicate other relatives who were witnesses or bondsmen for the marriage.
• Help you extend a generation to the parents of the bride and/or groom.

What information does a marriage record include?
Information gathered by state and county officials differs from each state. Generally the following was included:

• Names of the bride and groom
• Date and place of the marriage
• Who performed the marriage

May include:

• Ages of the bride and groom
• Birthplaces of the bride and groom
• Residences of the bride and groom
• Father’s name (bride and groom)
• Mother’s name including maiden (bride and groom)
• Previous marriages of either the bride or groom

What you need to know about marriage records in the U.S.:

• Each state has a different year when marriages began to be recorded depending on when their state law was passed.
• Information gathered by state and county officials differs from each state.
• Most states began recording marriages from the date counties were formed.
• New England states started recording marriages on the town level starting as early as the first residents of the town.

How do I find my ancestor’s marriage record?

1. Check online indexes and digital images
2. Check repositories, such as archives and libraries (FS Library)
3. Obtain certificate from the government agency ($$)