What does an original marriage certificate look like

Every couple marrying in British Columbia receives a marriage certificate by mail once Vital Statistics has registered their marriage. On average, couples receive their marriage certificate three weeks after the wedding takes place.

Table of Contents Show

Who can Order a Marriage Certificate
How to Order a Marriage Certificate
Cost & Processing Times
What B.C. Marriage Certificates Look Like
How do I get my original marriage certificate UK?
How do I get a marriage certificate in Alabama?
How do I get my marriage certificate in Florida?
How do I get a copy of my marriage certificate Qld?

Vital Statistics mails the certificate to the address the couple provided when they bought the marriage licence.

If you lose your marriage certificate or need additional certificates, you can apply for them at any time after the marriage is registered. Each certificate costs $27.

Who can Order a Marriage Certificate

B.C. marriage certificates can be ordered by:

either person named on the marriage certificate; or
a person with written authorization from a person named on the marriage certificate

How to Order a Marriage Certificate

After you have confirmed that you are eligible to receive a marriage certificate, you can apply in any one of the following four ways:

Online

Use the Vital Statistics Agency's secure online ordering service. A credit card is required.

By Mail

Send a completed Application for Marriage Certificate or Registration Photocopy (VSA 430M) form (PDF, 1MB) with payment to:

Vital Statistics Agency
PO Box 9657 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9P3

In Person

Go to any Service BC counter.You do not need to fill out an application, but will need to provide the customer service representative with the same details about the marriage that are requested on the Application for Marriage Certificate or Registration Photocopy (VSA 430M) form (PDF, 1MB). You will also need to provide payment.

By Phone

Call the Vital Statistics Agency at 250 952-2681 in Victoria or 1 888 876-1633 elsewhere in B.C. A credit card is required.

Cost & Processing Times

$27 per marriage certificate, average 2 to 5 business days processing time and delivered by mail
$60 per marriage certificate, produced the next business day and delivered by courier

What B.C. Marriage Certificates Look Like

Vital Statistics sends a marriage certificate to each couple after their marriage is registered. All B.C. marriage certificates are 21.6 cm x 17.8 cm and include the information described below for both parties to the marriage:

Full names
Sex
Birthdates
Birthplaces
Date of marriage
Place of marriage
Registration number
Date of registration

Do you need another copy of your marriage certificate? Or did you lose your original one and need to replace it?

Well, you’ve come to the right place! But first, a little primer on marriage certificates.

What is a marriage certificate?

A marriage certificate is an official document which proves your marriage happened.

It’s not the same as your marriage license, which is a piece of paper you received before your wedding authorizing your marriage.

After your wedding, your officiant (the person who performed your wedding) will send your marriage license back to the county office where it was issued.

The county office issues your marriage certificate and mails it to you. It should arrive 2-4 weeks after your wedding.

What do marriage certificates look like?

A marriage certificate is an official-looking document with details about your wedding.

It will include the date, time, and location of your wedding along with signatures from everyone involved.

They come in all shapes and sizes but the words ‘Marriage Certificate’ will be front and center.

Why do I need my marriage certificate?

To legally change your name. Your marriage certificate allows you to legally change your name after marriage. The first thing you’ll need to do is take your marriage certificate the Social Security Administration to change your name on your Social Security Card. Then you can start updating your name on your driver’s license, U.S. Passport, personal accounts like banks, credit cards, etc. You can’t change your name without it.
If you plan to add yourself or a spouse to a benefit plan. Many employer-sponsored benefit plans will require you to show proof of your marriage in order to add a spouse to the plan.
If you plan to take out a loan. Lenders may request to see your marriage certificate to prove your marital status.
If you get audited by the IRS. The IRS will want to verify your marital status.

Where do I get a certified copy of my marriage certificate?

Contact the county office that issued your marriage license and to purchase a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

A certified copy is a duplicate of your original marriage certificate issued directly from the county office where you received your marriage license.

Fees typically range from $5-20 for each certified copy and most offices will be able to process your request in a few business days.

If you are unable to reach your county office where your license was issued, try contacting the vital records office in the state where you were married. They will be able to help you request a copy.

The guidelines vary by state, but all requests should include:

- Full names of both spouses at the time of marriage
- Month, day, and year of the marriage
- Place of marriage (city or town, county, and state)
- The purpose for a requesting a certified copy of your marriage certificate
- Daytime telephone number (include area code)

How many copies should I get?

If you’re going to be using your marriage certificate to update your name after marriage, we suggest having at least two marriage certificates on hand.

There may be situations where you need to mail in your marriage certificate which may delay you changing your names elsewhere, so it’s nice to have an extra copy.

Plus, your marriage certificate is something you’ll need to hold onto for the rest of your life.

Just married and looking to start your name change?

Getting a physical copy of your marriage certificate is step 1 of many in your name change process.

If you’re looking to save time, eliminate stress, and want an easy name change check out NewlyNamed.

Our name change kits are personalized and include everything to change your last name the right way.

We hope this guide was helpful. Please reach out if you have any questions!

P.S. If you’re looking for more information, check out our complete guide to a name change after marriage.

Source: USA.gov

How do I get my original marriage certificate UK?

You need to register on the General Register Office ( GRO ) website to get a copy of a birth, adoption, death, marriage or civil partnership certificate in England and Wales. You can use this service to research your family tree. Order with the GRO index reference number.

How do I get a marriage certificate in Alabama?

In Person in Alabama: You may go to any county health department in the State of Alabama to obtain a certified copy of an Alabama marriage certificate. Most marriage certificates can be issued while you wait. A map showing locations of county health departments where vital records may be obtained is available.

How do I get my marriage certificate in Florida?

You can request certified copies online or by mail. You can visit state of Florida Vital Statistics Office at 904-359-6900 ext.

How do I get a copy of my marriage certificate Qld?

Submit in person At the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane, use our self-serve kiosk, or bring your order reference number (if you paid online), your original proof of ID and other supporting documents (if needed).