Also known as: certificate of marriage · baptismal certificate · marriage certificate · vital records · ceremonial certificates
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A document issued by a marriage license clerk after an application is completed and the statutory fee is paid. The document records that the parties have satisfied age and other requirements and authorizes solemnization of the marriage.
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Caleb Chang and Claire Campbell complete and sign a marriage application. Caleb appears before the clerk and pays the required fee. The clerk issues the license along with the marriage certificate form after verifying the parties meet the age and other statutory requirements.
After the ceremony Craig Caldwell and his partner return the completed marriage certificate form to the clerk. The clerk registers the marriage in the official records as required by statute.
A judge, a public official authorized to solemnize marriages, or a person acting under a religious denomination or Indian Nation recognized by law may solemnize the marriage and complete the certificate form.