How to Find California Marriage Records: Difference between revisions
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''[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to Find United States Marriages]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''California Marriages'''''<br> __NOTOC__ | ''[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to Find United States Marriages]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''California Marriages'''''<br> __NOTOC__ | ||
Statewide registration of deaths began in 1905 with general compliance by 1920. | |||
{| width="90%" border="1" align="left" style="margin: 1em auto" | {| width="90%" border="1" align="left" style="margin: 1em auto" | ||
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! width="35%" valign="middle" bgcolor="C0 C0 C0" align="center" | ! width="35%" valign="middle" bgcolor="C0 C0 C0" align="center" rowspan="2" scope="col" | | ||
== '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? ''' == | == '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? ''' == | ||
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:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's marriage record:'''</span><br> | :<span style="font-size:120%">'''Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's marriage record:'''</span><br> | ||
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find California Marriage Records# | :*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find California Marriage Records#Marriages_before_1905|Marriages before 1905]]'''</span> | ||
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find California Marriage Records# | :*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find California Marriage Records#Marriages_between_1905_and_1952|Marriages between 1905 and 1952]]'''</span> | ||
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find California Marriage Records# | :*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find California Marriage Records#Marriages_after_1952|Marriages after 1952]]''' </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> | ||
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== '''Marriages before | == '''Marriages before 1905''' == | ||
Marriage records began at the creation of the individual county. The first official law that required the recording of marriages was passed in 1850. | |||
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== '''Marriages between | == '''Marriages between 1905 and 1952''' == | ||
The state of California began recording marriages in 1892. All marriage certificates from 1892 to 1922 are held at the California State Archives. | The state of California began recording marriages in 1892. All marriage certificates from 1892 to 1922 are held at the California State Archives. | ||
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== '''Marriages after | == '''Marriages after 1952''' == | ||
The Vital Records office of the California Department of Health and Human Services has copies of marriages from 1923 to present day. Marriages from 1892 to 1922 are held by the California State Archives. Marriages before 1892 are held by the individual town clerk offices. | The Vital Records office of the California Department of Health and Human Services has copies of marriages from 1923 to present day. Marriages from 1892 to 1922 are held by the California State Archives. Marriages before 1892 are held by the individual town clerk offices. | ||
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| align="left" colspan="3" | '''California Marriage | | align="left" colspan="3" | '''California Marriage Databases - Includes Indexes Only''' | ||
|- | |||
| ''Try 1st:'' | |||
| <br> | |||
| <br> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | <br> | ||
| [https://portal.maine.gov/marriage/archdev.marriage_archive.search_form 1892 - Current*] | |||
| '''Free;''' index to death certificates from California State Archives. *Includes years from 1892 to '''THREE '''years previous to current year. | |||
|- | |||
| ''Try 2nd:'' | |||
| <br> | |||
| <br> | |||
|- | |||
| <br> | |||
| {{RecordSearch|1674915|1771-1907 - At FamilySearch.org}} | |||
| '''Free;''' index to marriage records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers. | |||
|- | |||
| ''Next try:'' | |||
| <br> | |||
| <br> | |||
|- | |||
| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Ancestry Databases - Includes Index Only''' | |||
|- | |||
| align="left" colspan="2" | ''Choose one of the following:'' | |||
| <br> | |||
|- | |||
| width="10%" | <br> | |||
| width="25%" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1961 1713-1937 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries] | |||
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' [https://www.familysearch.org/locations Find your local FamilySearch Center] | |||
|- | |||
| <br> | |||
| <br> | |||
| <br> | |||
|- | |||
| width="10%" | <br> | |||
| width="25%" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1961 1713-1937 - use your own Ancestry subscription] | |||
| '''$,''' [http://www.ancestry.com/cs/offers/freetrial?o_iid=48816&o_lid=48816&o_sch=Web+Property To obtain a subscription to Ancestry]; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
|- | |||
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?''' | |||
| [[Tips for Searching an Online Index|Tips for searching online indexes]] | |||
|} | |} | ||
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:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]] | :*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:California_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How_to_articles]] | ||
Revision as of 13:06, 8 July 2013
How to Find United States Marriages 
California Marriages
Statewide registration of deaths began in 1905 with general compliance by 1920.
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source] |
|
|---|
Marriages before 1905[edit | edit source]
Marriage records began at the creation of the individual county. The first official law that required the recording of marriages was passed in 1850.
| California Marriage Databases - Includes Indexes Only | ||
| Try 1st: | ||
| 1771-1907 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to marriage records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers. | |
| Next try: | ||
| Ancestry Databases - Includes Index Only | ||
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| 1713-1937 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |
| 1713-1937 - use your own Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |
If your ancestor does not appear in the index, you may need to contact the town clerk office or you may need to search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s marriage date and place.
| Records that give marriage information: | ||
Obtain the Marriage Record[edit | edit source]
If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:
- FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
- Individual Town Clerks - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the town clerk office where your ancestor dead and order a copy of the marriage record.
Marriages between 1905 and 1952[edit | edit source]
The state of California began recording marriages in 1892. All marriage certificates from 1892 to 1922 are held at the California State Archives.
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information[edit | edit source]
For marriages that exist during this time period, try the following database.
| California Marriage Databases - Includes Indexes Only | ||
| Try 1st: | ||
| 1892 - Current* | Free; index to death certificates from California State Archives. *Includes years from 1892 to THREE years previous to current year. | |
| Try 2nd: | ||
| 1771-1907 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to marriage records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers. | |
| Next try: | ||
| Ancestry Databases - Includes Index Only | ||
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| 1713-1937 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |
| 1713-1937 - use your own Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Marriage Certificate[edit | edit source]
If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:
- FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
- California State Archives - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the state archives and order a copy of the marriage record.
Marriages after 1952[edit | edit source]
The Vital Records office of the California Department of Health and Human Services has copies of marriages from 1923 to present day. Marriages from 1892 to 1922 are held by the California State Archives. Marriages before 1892 are held by the individual town clerk offices.
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information[edit | edit source]
For marriages that exist during this time period, try the following database.
| California Marriage Databases - Includes Indexes Only | ||
| Try 1st: | ||
| 1892 - Current* | Free; index to death certificates from California State Archives. *Includes years from 1892 to THREE years previous to current year. | |
| Try 2nd: | ||
| 1771-1907 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to marriage records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers. | |
| Next try: | ||
| Ancestry Databases - Includes Index Only | ||
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| 1713-1937 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |
| 1713-1937 - use your own Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
| To Order Marriage Certificates | |||
| County probate judge's offices | Vital Records office of the California Dept of Health and Human Services | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Has an expedited service on Vital Chek | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
Restrictions to qualify for certificates for persons who married within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the marriage certificate, you must be:
- The person named on the certificate
- The person's spouse
- The parent(s) named on the record
- Descendants of the person named on the record (including children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to the most remote degree)
- The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record
- Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the California Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics
NOTE: You must have full name, exact date and place of the marriage to order from the certificate. If you do not have the exact information, a search can be conducted for a fee by the Vital Records Office.
If you do not want to order the marriage record, there are other records with marriage information you can search.