Lost Your Marriage Certificate? Here's How to Replace This Important Document

Even after you walk down the aisle, say your vows, and exchange wedding rings, there's still an important step required in order to seal the deal as a married couple: signing your marriage license. But once that's complete, you'll be able to send your license over to the county and receive a marriage certificate proving that you and your partner are wedded in the eyes of the state. 

“The marriage certificate is proof that you and your spouse are legally married,” says Ashley N. Higginbotham, a supervising attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. “If you plan on changing your last name after the wedding, you will need to take an official copy of the marriage certificate to the social security office to have your social security card changed—and, also take a copy to your local DMV to have your driver's license changed.” In other words, you do not want to lose your marriage certificate—but if you do, it’s not the end of the world. Life happens, and sometimes even the most essential documents just disappear despite our best intentions.

So, if you've recently searched for your marriage certificate and can't seem to find it, don’t panic. Here’s what to do if you lose this important legal document—plus, we provide a few tips on how to keep it safe and secure in the future.

How to Replace a Lost Marriage Certificate

“Losing a marriage certificate can pose unexpected challenges, from administrative headaches to potential legal hurdles,” says Golnoush Goharzad, an attorney based in California. “Whether it's navigating through the bureaucratic process of obtaining a duplicate or understanding the implications of the loss on matters such as inheritance, insurance, and marital rights, it's crucial for individuals to approach this situation with a clear understanding of their legal standing and the steps required to rectify the issue.”

That said, if your certificate has gone missing, you’ll have to do a little legwork to request another copy. “You will need to contact, either online or in person, the vital records office or the county recorder's office in which your marriage certificate was filed,” explains Goharzad. More specifically, a county recorder’s office keeps a database of all legal records filed in that county. So to obtain a copy of your marriage certificate from this office, you’ll have to follow the rules of your county; many locations require you to request a document either by mail or in person, but this can vary.

Likewise, vital records offices provide copies of certified documents, including marriage certificates and birth and death certificates. Typically, you can either write, call, or go online to request a copy, and it’s a fairly straightforward process. (Find more information about vital records offices in your state here.) “Some states also have a state vital records office that regularly indexes public records and can often also provide you with a duplicate or a certified copy," Goharzad adds.

You will also have to pay a small fee for a copy of your certificate, which will vary from county to county. Goharzad says it’s typically between $15 to $40, depending on where you live. “The fees do vary, as will the processing time, depending on how busy that particular office is,” she adds.

How to Keep Your Marriage Certificate Safe

If you previously lost your marriage certificate, don’t make the same mistake twice! Keeping this document in a safe, secure spot will reduce future headaches and scrambles to replace it. Any important paperwork, like your marriage certificate, birth certificate, and social security card, should always be kept in a safe or safety deposit box.

Goharzad also recommends keeping a scanned copy of your marriage certificate in a “secure cloud storage system” just in case. “While many legal situations will require a physical copy of the marriage certificate, sometimes a picture will suffice, so consider taking a picture and keeping a copy on your phone,” adds Higginbotham.