Are marriage records public?

What is marriage?

Marriage is a binding legal contract between two people.  It establishes rights and obligations that the two people are legally bound by.  Many laws surround marriage, and some places only recognize marriage if it is between two people of the opposite sex.  More states are changing laws, though, to recognize the marriage of all genders. There are different laws for different states and countries around the world.  The only way to legally end a marriage is through a divorce, and that process differs from state to state.

What is a marriage record?

A marriage record is important for three reasons.  One, it is needed to be compliant with the law in each state.  Secondly, they provide statistical information.  Lastly, the marriage record confirms the validity of the documents needed to get married, which are the license and the certificate.  There are three types of records as well.  The first is the marriage certificate itself which is obtained before the marriage taking place.  Next is the marriage certificate presented after the ceremony and must be witnessed and signed to show an official ceremony took place.  The third type is only available in California, and it is the confidential marriage certificate.  This certificate is private and cannot be accessed without a court order.  You would need a marriage license and/or certificate to change your name legally. You would also need it for immigration purposes.  Sometimes it is needed to provide proof of marriage for legal purposes like taxes. 

Are marriage records public?

Most of all, marriages become part of public records and can be found through vital statistics. This depends on the state in which the marriage took place. The type of information that can be found in the names of the couple, date, place of marriage, and the types of documents available. If you want to find out information on marriages that take place abroad, you can find that information through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Again, in California, you can obtain a confidential marriage record that no one can access other than the couple.