How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records: Difference between revisions

From FamilySearch Wiki
VisualWikitext
m (Text replacement - "ancestryinstitution" to "ancestry")
(t)
(92 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{breadcrumb
__NOTOC__
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
 
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How To Find U.S. Marriage Records]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] How To Find Kentucky Marriage Records  
| link3=[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to Find U.S. Marriage Records]]
| link4=[[Kentucky Vital Records|Kentucky Vital Records]]
| link5=[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records|How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records]]
}}


== Finding Kentucky Marriage Records  ==
== Finding Kentucky Marriage Records  ==


*Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county  
*Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county  
*1958 - county clerks began sending copies to the state
*1958 - duplicate copies of the marriages are required to be sent to the state
 
<br>


{| width="75%" border="1" align="center" style="margin: 1em auto"
{| width="75%" border="1" align="center" style="margin: 1em auto"
|-
|-
! valign="middle" bgcolor="C0 C0 C0" align="center" colspan="2" scope="col" |  
! valign="middle" bgcolor="C0 C0 C0" align="center" scope="col" colspan="2" |  
== '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? '''  ==
== '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? '''  ==


Line 20: Line 18:
:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Marriage Records'''</span>  
:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Marriage Records'''</span>  
:<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span>  
:<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1958|Before 1958]]''' </span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1954|Before 1954]]''' </span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Marriages_1958_to_Present|1958 to Present]]''' </span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Marriages_1954_to_1972|1954 to 1972]]''' </span>
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Marriages_1973_to_Present|1973 to Present]]''' </span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''</span>
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''</span>


Line 33: Line 32:
|}
|}


== '''Marriages Before 1958'''  ==
<br>
 
== '''Marriages Before 1954'''  ==


*Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county
*Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county


If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in [[Marriage Information Substitute Records|other records]].


 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records]].
 
==== '''STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index'''  ====
 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
|-
|-
| colspan="4" | '''Marriage Indexes and Digital Images '''
| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Kentucky Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images'''  
|
|
|-
|-
| width="15%" align="left" | '''Database Name - Index and Image'''  
| ''Try:''  
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | '''Link or links to access database'''
|  
| width="15%" align="center" | # of records
|  
|-
|-
| width="30%" | FamilySearch, Marriages, 1797-1954
|  
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|1804888|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years
| width="10%" | {{RecordSearch|1804888|1797-1954 – At FamilySearch.org}}  
| align="center" | 184,092
| width="10%"
'''Free;''' index and images; incomplete for all years and counties; not all African-American marriages were included in the collection
 
|-
|-
| width="30%" | Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1609-2016
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?'''
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=kentucky On Findmypast] ($)
| [[Tips for Searching an Online Index|Tips for searching online indexes]]  
| align="center" |  
|  
|-
|-
| Ancestry, Kentucky, County Marriages, 1783-1965
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?'''
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61372 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]
|
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61372 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]
[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.
| align="center" | 2,961,398
 
[[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]]
 
|
|}
 
<br>
 
::
<center>[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Finding_Kentucky_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
|-
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1852-1914
! valign="middle" bgcolor="#302040" scope="col" |  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1117 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1117 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]
| align="center" | 230,792
|}
|}


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
<br>
 
== '''Marriages 1954 to 1972'''  ==
 
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
|-
|-
| colspan="4" | '''If you do not locate the marriage in the above, try:'''
| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images'''  
|
|-
|-
| width="15%" align="left" | '''Database Name-Index Only '''  
| width="25%" | {{RecordSearch|1810350|Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1867}}
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | '''Link or links to access database'''  
| width="65%" |  
| width="15%" align="center" | # of records
'''Free;''' name index with images online at FamilySearch.
 
'''Does not''' include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.
 
<br>
 
|-
|-
| width="30%" | FamilySearch, Marriages, 1785-1979
| align="left" colspan="1" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?'''
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|1674849|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years
| [[Tips for Searching an Online Index|Tips for searching online indexes]]
| align="center" | 1,532,533
|-
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1795-1850
| align="left" colspan="1" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?'''
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3455 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]  
|
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3455 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]  
[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.
| align="center" | 7,970
 
[[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]]
 
|}
 
'''Marriage Records on Microfilm''' <br> Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local [http://familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator?c= Family Search Center]. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the&nbsp;[http://familysearch.org/catalog-search Family History Library Catalog (FHLC)] to see what is available.
 
::*Search the [http://familysearch.org/catalog-search FHLC] by county.  
::*Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
::*For a small fee, [https://familysearch.org/films/ order the microfilm] to view at a local Family Search Center.
<center>[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Finding_Kentucky_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
|-
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1802-1850
! valign="middle" bgcolor="#302040" scope="col" |  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2089 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2089 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]
| align="center" | 72,640
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1900
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4428 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4428 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]
| align="center" | 307,737
|}
|}
== '''Marriages 1973 to Present'''  ==


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
|-
|-
| '''''Can't access Ancestry?'''''  
| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images'''  
| Visit your [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ local FamilySearch center] or your local public library.
|
|
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 1st:''  
|  
|
|-
|-
| width="30%" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?'''
|  
|  
[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. <br> [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Search other records]] with marriage information.  
| width="25%" | {{RecordSearch|1452395|Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925}}
| width="65%" |
'''Free;''' most counties 1868-1925: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch.  


|}
Records include such information as names of bride and groom, date of license, ages, race, residences, birthplaces, occupations and names of the fathers of the bride and groom.


==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Record''' ====
|-
| ''Try 2nd:''
|
|
|-
|
| {{RecordSearch|1810350|Michigan, County Marriages, 1868-1925}}
|
'''Free;''' name index with images online at FamilySearch.


If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, follow the instructions below:
<br> '''Does not''' include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.


'''PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage'''
<br>


:*If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the [http://elect.ky.gov/contactcountyclerks/pages/default.aspx county clerk].
|-
:*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records.]]
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?'''
| [[Tips for Searching an Online Index|Tips for searching online indexes]]  
|
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?'''
|
[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.


'''PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records'''
[[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]]


:*Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the [http://elect.ky.gov/contactcountyclerks/pages/default.aspx county clerk].
|
 
|}
''OR''
 
:*View a copy of a marriage record on microfilm at a Family Search Center:


Some images of county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/?c= Family Search Center]. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] to see what is available.  
'''Marriage Records on Microfilm''' <br> Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local [http://familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator?c= Family Search Center]. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the&nbsp;[http://familysearch.org/catalog-search Family History Library Catalog (FHLC)] to see what is available.  


::*Search the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] by county.  
::*Search the [http://familysearch.org/catalog-search FHLC] by county.  
::*Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.  
::*Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.  
 
::*For a small fee, [https://familysearch.org/films/ order the microfilm] to view at a local Family Search Center.
<center>[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Finding_Kentucky_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>  
<center>[[How to Find Michigan Marriage Records#Finding_Michigan_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>  
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
|-
|-
Line 137: Line 176:
|}
|}


== '''Marriages 1958 to Present'''  ==
<br>


Online marriage indexes are incomplete for the years 1958 to the present, but are very good for the years 1973 to 2000.
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
 
|-
 
| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images'''  
 
|
==== '''STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information''' ====
|
|-
| width="10%" | ''Try 1st:''
|
|
|-
|
| width="25%" | {{RecordSearch|1810350|Michigan, County Marriages, 1926-1935}}
| width="65%" |
'''Free;''' most counties 1925-1936: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch.


'''Marriage Indexes and Images:'''
'''Does not''' include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.  
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=kentucky '''United States Marriages – Kentucky, 1609-2016'''] ($)<BR><BR>


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
|-
|-
| colspan="4" | '''Marriage Indexes'''
| width="10%" | ''Try 2nd:''  
|
|
|-
|-
| width="15%" align="left" | '''Database Name-Index Only '''
|  
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | '''Link or links to access database'''
| [http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_8723_11893_41510-143215--,00.html County Clerk]
| width="15%" align="center" | # of records
| If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record. Contact the [http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_8723_11893_41510-143215--,00.html county clerk] where you think the marriage took place. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
|-
|-
| width="30%" | FamilySearch, Marriages, 1785-1979
| width="10%" | ''Try 3rd:''
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | {{RecordSearch|1674849|On FamilySearch}}; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years
|  
| align="center" | 1,532,533
|  
|-
|-
| width="30%" | RootsWeb, Marriages, 1973-2000
|  
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | [http://vitals.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ky/marriage/search.cgi On RootsWeb]; free
| [http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-4645---,00.html Michigan Department of Health]
| align="center" | 1,213,864
| If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record.Contact the [http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-4645---,00.html Michigan Department of Public Health]. If you are unsure about the marriage year, the Michigan Department of Public Health charges $12 more for each year searched. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.  
<br>
 
|-
|-
| Ancestry, Kentucky, County Marriages, 1783-1965
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?'''
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61372 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]
| [[Tips for Searching an Online Index|Tips for searching online indexes]]
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61372 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]  
| align="center" | 2,961,398
|-
|-
| Ancestry, Marriages, 1973-1999
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?'''
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8787 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers]
|  
| width="35%" align="center" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8787 $, Use your own Ancestry subscription]
[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.
| align="center" | 2,342,097
 
|-
[[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]]  
| width="30%" | Univ. of KY, Marriages, 1973-1993
 
| width="70%" align="left" colspan="2" | [http://ukcc.uky.edu/vitalrec/ On University of Kentucky website]; free; date is given in a code: MM/DD/YY
| align="center" | Undisclosed
|}
|}


==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Record''' ====
'''Marriage Records on Microfilm''' <br> Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local [http://familysearch.org/locations/centerlocator?c= Family Search Center]. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the&nbsp;[http://familysearch.org/catalog-search Family History Library Catalog (FHLC)] to see what is available.


'''PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage'''
::*Search the [http://familysearch.org/catalog-search FHLC] by county.
::*Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
::*For a small fee, [https://familysearch.org/films/ order the microfilm] to view at a local Family Search Center.
<center>[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Finding_Kentucky_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
|-
! valign="middle" bgcolor="#302040" scope="col" |
|}


:*If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the [http://elect.ky.gov/contactcountyclerks/pages/default.aspx county clerk] or<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> the </span>[https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/vsb/Pages/marriage-divorce.aspx Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics]<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">.</span>
<br>  
:*If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|other records.]]


'''PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records'''
Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.


:*A copy of a marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the [http://elect.ky.gov/contactcountyclerks/pages/default.aspx county clerk].
'''STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information'''


''OR''
:*Copies may be ordered from the [http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_8723_11893_41510-143215--,00.html county clerk].


:*A copy of a marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the [https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/vsb/Pages/marriage-divorce.aspx Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics].
:*Copies may be ordered from the [http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-4645---,00.html Michigan Department of Public Health].


{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
Line 198: Line 250:
| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Marriage Certificates'''
| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Marriage Certificates'''
|-
|-
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://elect.ky.gov/contactcountyclerks/pages/default.aspx From County where Marriage occurred]  
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_8723_11893_41510-143215--,00.html From County where Marriage occurred]  
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/vsb/Pages/marriage-divorce.aspx Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics] <br>
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-4645---,00.html From MI Dept. of Health State office]
|-
|-
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''  
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''  
Line 208: Line 260:
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state  
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state  
| County websites can be more difficult to use  
| County websites can be more difficult to use  
| Expedited service on [https://www.vitalchek.com/marriage-records/kentucky/kentucky-office-of-vital-statistics VitalChek]
| Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee
| May be more expensive than ordering from the county
| May be more expensive than ordering from the county
|}
|}
{{Tip|'''''When ordering Michigan marriage records:'''''}}
Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.<br> <br>
<center>[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Finding_Kentucky_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>  
<center>[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Finding_Kentucky_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center>  
{| width="99%" border="0" align="center"
|-
! valign="middle" bgcolor="#302040" scope="col" |
|}
== Wiki Articles  ==
== Wiki Articles  ==


Line 223: Line 274:
:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S. death records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S. death records]]  
:*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]]  
:*[[United States Record Selection Table|United States Record Selection Table ]]  
:*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States, How to Use Marriage Records]]  
:*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States, How to Use Marriage Records]]  
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]  
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]  
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]]  
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]]  
:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]__NOTOC__
:*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]


{{Kentucky|Kentucky}}
[[Category:Kentucky]]
*[http://vitals.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ky/marriage/search.cgi Rootsweb Kentucky Marriage Records, 1973-2000].
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48035 Kentucky Marriage Records] Abstracts ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48582 Kentucky Marriages, 1797-1865] Abstracts ($)
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/kentucky-wills-deeds-and-marriages-1700-1909-published-1929 Kentucky, Wills, Deeds, and Marriages, 1700-1909 (Published 1929)] ($), index.
[[Category:Kentucky_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]

Revision as of 13:39, 7 June 2013


How To Find U.S. Marriage Records go to How To Find Kentucky Marriage Records

Finding Kentucky Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

  • Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county
  • 1958 - duplicate copies of the marriages are required to be sent to the state


Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source]
Marriage Records
Choose a time period:


Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records


Marriages Before 1954[edit | edit source]

  • Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and begin at the creation of the county

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

Kentucky Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try:
1797-1954 – At FamilySearch.org width="10%"

Free; index and images; incomplete for all years and counties; not all African-American marriages were included in the collection

Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.

Other records with marriage information


Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year


Marriages 1954 to 1972[edit | edit source]

Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1867

Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch.

Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.


Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.

Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

  • Search the FHLC by county.
  • Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
  • For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1973 to Present[edit | edit source]

Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925

Free; most counties 1868-1925: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch.

Records include such information as names of bride and groom, date of license, ages, race, residences, birthplaces, occupations and names of the fathers of the bride and groom.

Try 2nd:
Michigan, County Marriages, 1868-1925

Free; name index with images online at FamilySearch.


Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.


Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.

Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

  • Search the FHLC by county.
  • Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
  • For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year


Michigan Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
Michigan, County Marriages, 1926-1935

Free; most counties 1925-1936: Free name index with images online at FamilySearch.

Does not include the following counties: Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee.

Try 2nd:
County Clerk If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record. Contact the county clerk where you think the marriage took place. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.
Try 3rd:
Michigan Department of Health If you do not find your ancestor in the marriage index you may order a marriage record.Contact the Michigan Department of Public Health. If you are unsure about the marriage year, the Michigan Department of Public Health charges $12 more for each year searched. It is usually less expensive to order a marriage record from the county clerk, so begin your search with the county clerk.


Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.

Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the approximate date and county where the marriage took place, use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

  • Search the FHLC by county.
  • Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
  • For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year


Marriage licenses may be found in the county records where the marriage occurred.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred From MI Dept. of Health State office
Pros Cons Pros Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county
Tip: When ordering Michigan marriage records:

Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=How_to_Find_Kentucky_Marriage_Records&oldid=1361063"