{"id":20337,"date":"2017-03-02T10:52:53","date_gmt":"2017-03-02T15:52:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=20337"},"modified":"2022-01-21T12:01:59","modified_gmt":"2022-01-21T17:01:59","slug":"genealogy-101-14-marriage-licenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/genealogy-101-14-marriage-licenses.html","title":{"rendered":"Genealogy 101: #14 Marriage Licenses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article \u2013 part of an ongoing \u201cIntroduction to Genealogy\u201d series \u2013 Gena Philibert-Ortega discusses one of the most important family history records: marriage licenses. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201c<\/em>From the Family Kitchen.<\/em><\/span>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Why do genealogists search for marriage records? Genealogy is about confirming relationships through the generations. One way to confirm relationships is to verify a marriage between two families. Marriage records, such as marriage licenses, provide the tool to do that.<\/p>\n

Now, am I saying that everyone who had a child married? No, of course not \u2013 but when we are connecting children to their parents, one source we look at are marriage records.<\/p>\n

So how do you start your search for the facts about your ancestor\u2019s marriage? Read on for ideas of what\u2019s available and how to find those records.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: Indiana marriage licenses. Credit: FamilySearch*<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why Marriage Licenses?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Marriages, depending on the time period and place, can mean a whole host of different records. For our purposes here, let\u2019s discuss the most common record: a marriage license, that when executed may also include a marriage certificate.<\/p>\n

Marriage licenses were issued by a government authority like a county clerk, and instructed the person who would marry the couple that they were able to do so. Once the marriage took place, the officiant signed the license. Then that license was returned to the authority that issued it and a certificate may have been issued (or the certificate\/license is one form).<\/p>\n

Genealogy Tip:<\/em><\/strong> local newspapers often printed lists of recently-granted marriage licenses, so be sure to include this search in your newspaper research.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Evening News (San Jose, California), 9 May 1903, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now, one word of warning: everyone who applied for a marriage license didn\u2019t end up getting married. So, we would hope to find other evidence, including the marriage certificate, to prove the marriage actually took place.<\/p>\n

Who Has a Marriage License?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Marriage licenses replaced early marriage permissions (like Banns), so whether your ancestor had a marriage license depends on the time and place they married. See the chart below for a guideline of years that states issued marriage licenses\/certificates.<\/p>\n

Marriage License Availability<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Alabama<\/p>\n

1936<\/td>\n

Alaska (sealed for 50 years)<\/p>\n

1913<\/td>\n

Arizona<\/p>\n

1909<\/td>\n

Arkansas\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01917<\/td>\nCalifornia\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1905<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colorado\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01907<\/td>\nConnecticut\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1897<\/td>\nDelaware\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01847<\/td>\nFlorida\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01927<\/td>\nGeorgia\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1952<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hawaii\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1842<\/td>\nIdaho\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1947<\/td>\nIllinois\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1962<\/td>\nIndiana\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01958<\/td>\nIowa\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01880<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kansas\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01913<\/td>\nKentucky\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1958<\/td>\nLouisiana\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1870<\/td>\nMaine\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01892<\/td>\nMaryland\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01950<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Massachusetts 1841<\/td>\nMichigan\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1867<\/td>\nMinnesota\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01958<\/td>\nMississippi\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01926<\/td>\nMissouri\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01881<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Montana\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1943<\/td>\nNebraska\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1909<\/td>\nNevada\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1968<\/td>\nNew Hampshire 1883 (1640 from town clerk)<\/td>\nNew Jersey\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01848<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Mexico\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01920<\/td>\nNew York\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01880<\/td>\nNorth Carolina 1962<\/td>\nNorth Dakota 1925<\/td>\nOhio\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1949<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oklahoma\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1908<\/td>\nOregon\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01906<\/td>\nPennsylvania \u00a01885<\/td>\nRhode Island\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01853<\/td>\nSouth Carolina 1950<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South Dakota 1905<\/td>\nTennessee<\/p>\n

1945<\/td>\n

Texas<\/p>\n

1966<\/td>\n

Utah<\/p>\n

1887<\/td>\n

Vermont<\/p>\n

1955<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Virginia\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1912<\/td>\nWashington\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01968<\/td>\nWest Virginia 1964<\/td>\nWisconsin\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a01907<\/td>\nWyoming<\/p>\n

1941<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Please note that some counties or cities started recording births much earlier than their parent state. So always check the county your ancestor married in. In New England, vital records may be kept on the town level. Interruptions (like war) can also occur with vital record registration, leaving some births not recorded. The District of Columbia started vital records registration in 1861.**<\/p>\n

Where Are Marriage Records?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Marriage announcements, lists of recently-granted marriage licenses, and details about specific weddings can all be found in the pages of old newspapers, such as GenealogyBank\u2019s online Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a>. Make sure when you search for marriage license and engagement information that you search by the bride\u2019s maiden name as well as the groom\u2019s name.<\/p>\n

Another excellent place to find marriage records is FamilySearch. Start by searching the FamilySearch Catalog<\/span> by place and then by subject, such as Vital Records and Vital Records \u2013Indexes. You can also search the Historical Records<\/a> collection on FamilySearch by clicking on Search>Records and then choosing a place to find what digital marriage record images and indexes are available.<\/p>\n

A great feature of FamilySearch\u2019s Family History Research Wiki<\/a> is individual wiki pages that provide information about where to find marriage records for each state. Consult the How to Find United States Marriage Records<\/a> wiki page and then choose the state link you are researching.<\/p>\n

Where else might you find marriage records? Subscription and government-run websites should be checked next. A helpful finding aid to websites with marriage records can be found on the Online Birth & Marriage Records Indexes of the USA<\/a> website.<\/p>\n

Another approach in your search for marital proof is to contact the state or county recorder\u2019s office for a copy of the marriage license and certificate. To get information about state vital records see the Center for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s Where to Write for Vital Records<\/a> web page. I highly recommend finding the county vital record office website and starting your search there first. Often ordering through a county will be quicker than through a state office.***<\/p>\n

Start Searching for Marriage Records Today!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Marriage licenses are just one type of marriage record available. My next article, on Marriage Record Alternatives, will provide more information about other types of marriage records and alternatives.<\/p>\n

————————–<\/p>\n

* \u201cIndiana Marriages, 1811-2007,\u201d database with images, FamilySearch (https:\/\/familysearch.org\/ark:\/61903\/3:1:3QSQ-G9XF-W8SJ?cc=1410397&wc=Q83F-HBF%3A963066801%2C1067899602<\/a>: 21 January 2016), Morgan > image 38 of 328; County clerk offices, Indiana.
\n** Vitalrec.com; FamilySearch Family History Research Wiki; Family Tree Magazine Vital Records Chart.
\n*** I\u2019m using the word \u201ccounty\u201d here generically. \u201cCounties\u201d in Louisiana are called \u201cParishes\u201d and in Alaska they are \u201cBoroughs.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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