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Frequently Asked Questions about United States Marriage Records
Finding 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 marriage 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?


 * Check online indexes and digital images
 * Check repositories, such as archives and libraries (FHL)
 * Obtain certificate from the government agency ($$)

Step 1: Where Did the Marriage Occur?
Choose one of the following:


 * I know the state — Michigan
 * I don't know the state — Go to Estimating Marriage Information