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How to Find Maryland Marriage Records

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How To Find U.S. Marriage Records go to Maryland Gotoarrow.png Maryland Marriage Records

Finding Kentucky Marriage Records

  • Colonial marriages were recorded by the Church of England and other religious bodies
  • Marriages are kept by the circuit court for each county and begin in 1777 or at the creation of the county
  • 1990 - county circuit court clerks began sending copies to the state

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

Marriage Records
Choose a time period:


Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1777

  • Colonial marriages were recorded by the Church of England and other religious bodies

Search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s marriage date and place:

1. Look first in 2. Then search
Church Records

Newspapers
Military Records
Obituaries

Census Records

Cemetery Records
Death Records
Bible Records

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1770 to 1990

  • Marriages are kept by the circuit court for each county and begin in 1777 or at the creation of the county

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

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Indexes
Database Name-Index Only Link or links to access database # of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1666-1970 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 256,134
Ancestry, Marriages, 1655-1850 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 257,488
Maryland State Archives, Marriages, 1600s-1800s On Maryland State Archives; free Undisclosed
Ancestry, Marriages, 1667-1899 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 84,761
Ancestry, Marriages, 1634-1777 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 23,319
Ancestry, Marriages, 1778-1800 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 317
Ancestry, Marriages, 1801-1820 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 260
Can't access Ancestry? Visit your local Family History Center or your local public library.
No marriage record for your ancestor?

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

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

If you did not find your ancestor in the databases above, 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 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

  • Order a copy of a marriage record for a fee from the 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 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 FamilySearch Center.

Marriages 1990 to Present

  • 1990 - county circuit court clerks began sending copies to the state

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index

Marriage Indexes
Database Name-Index Only Link or links to access database # of records
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1785-1979 On FamilySearch; free; INCOMPLETE for all counties and years 1,532,533
RootsWeb, Marriages, 1973-2000 On RootsWeb; free 1,213,864
Ancestry, Marriages, 1973-1999 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 2,342,097
Univ. of KY, Marriages, 1973-1993 On University of Kentucky website; free; date is given in a code: MM/DD/YY Undisclosed

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

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

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

To Order Marriage Certificates
From County where Marriage occurred 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 Expedited service on VitalChek May be more expensive than ordering from the county
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

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