How to Find West Virginia Marriage Records

How To Find U.S. Marriage Records How To Find West Virginia Marriage Records

Finding West Virginia Marriage Records

• In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia
• Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
• Marriages before 1863 would have been recorded by county clerks in Virginia
• 1964 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?		Marriage Records Choose a time period: Before 1954 1954 to 1972 1973 to Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1963

• In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia
• Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
• Marriages before 1863 would have been recorded by county clerks in Virginia

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

For marriages that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

West Virginia Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	1853-1970 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History	Free; dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website
Try 2nd:
	1853-1970 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image

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 1964 to Present

• 1964 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Some marriages after 1964 are found in the following databases.

West Virginia Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	1853-1970 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History	Free; dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website
Try 2nd:
	1853-1970 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image

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

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

If you did not find your ancestor in the above database, follow the instructions below:

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

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
• If you don't know the county or date of marriage but you believe it is after June 1958, you can request a search for a fee from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records

• A copy of a marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the county clerk.

OR

• For marriages AFTER JUNE 1958 - a copy of a marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred		After June 1958 - Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use		May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1973 to Present

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Kentucky Marriage Database - Indexes Only
Try 1st:
	1973-2000 at Rootsweb	Free; index only
Try 2nd:
	1973-1993 at University of Kentucky website	Free, index only, date is given in a code: MM/DD/YY
Next try:
Ancestry database: Includes Index Only
Choose one of the following:
	1973-1999 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	1973-1999 - use your own Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
	Can't access Ancestry?	Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the marriage record for your ancestor from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.
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

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

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

• If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
• If you don't know the county or date of marriage but you believe it is after June 1958, you can request a search for a fee from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.
• If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.

PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records or the above indexes

• A copy of the marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the county clerk.

OR

• For marriages AFTER JUNE 1958 - a copy of the marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred		After June 1958 - Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use		May be more expensive than ordering from the county

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

• Learn more about U.S. marriage records
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• How to find U.S. marriage records
• How to find U.S. death records
• United States Record Selection Table
• United States, How to Use Marriage Records
• United States Marriage Records
• United States Vital Records
• U.S. Vital Records Overview
• Locating United States Vital Records

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