Searching for Marriage Records
A marriage record, or marriage license, is a legal document granting two people the right to marry, while simultaneously providing a record that the marriage has taken place. Different states and counties have different methods of applying for a marriage record, as well as recording of those marriage records.
Marriage records began as far back as the Middle Ages, though, at the time they were issued for those who had somehow broken traditions or local rules applying to marriage. Today, a marriage record or license is required in many places before a marriage can even take place. While a marriage record is necessary in most places within the US, there are areas that still recognize common law marriage as well as areas that a marriage license is not required to marry.
Regardless of the rules pertaining to a specific area, every state in the US issues marriage licenses, as well as maintaining marriage records. Both individuals being married are required to sign the marriage record, as well as the person officiating, whether a minister or justice of the peace.
While requirements vary widely from state to state, many areas are beginning to require a waiting period from the time the marriage record is created to the time the ceremony can be performed, as well as mandating premarital counseling. Other areas also require blood tests be performed prior to the recording of the marriage record. Some areas even conduct investigations during the waiting period, checking the previous marital status of both parties, as well as doing extensive blood tests to insure that the children produced through the union will not have diseases or recessive traits. This is performed in the spirit of bettering society as a whole, rather than an intrusive investigation into private matters.
Each state maintains a database of marriage records; these are vital to maintaining accurate records of the population as well as tracking trends and changes within society. These records are useful for many people, including scientists and sociologists to name just two. While these records prove invaluable for many people, they are vital to the continued record keeping of the areas. Without marriage records, there would be no way to determine how many times someone had be previously married, or even if they were still in an active marriage.
Today, obtaining copies of marriage records is much simpler than in the past. They can be accessed online through many different websites, including this one which complies marriage records from every state.