The California Department of Public Health is the state repository for public records, including California Marriage Records. Marriage records are initially filed at a county clerk of court where the marriage license was issued before they are forwarded to the state repository.
Several vital pieces of information are included in a marriage file. Some of which include the names of the bride and the groom, their date of birth, time and date of marriage, names of witnesses, and others. A marriage file is not considered complete or final if it there is no marriage license. Once a license is granted, it is only valid for 90 days and if the couple fails to marry within that period, the license will expire. Divorce files should be presented by those who apply for a marriage license but have been married in the past.
There are two types of marriage records that can be obtained: authorized and informational copies. Both copies are certified. However, only authorized copies are accepted by the court to be used as a legal document while informational copies are only good for providing information. Any member of the general public can place a request for marriage records but only those whose names are found on the record, such as the couple, their parents, children, and law enforcers amongst others are allowed to obtain authorized records.
To start a search, head to the Public Health office and get the request form and make sure to supply it with all the necessary details. Mention all the details that you know of the document to increase the chances of locating the right document and to get the results faster and not have to wait a several months. If you are aware which particular county clerk of court has the documents, you can place your request there as well. A notarized sworn statement is required if you want to get authorized versions of the documents. Other requirements for requesting the documents include a government-issued ID and the appropriate fees. All fees paid are not subject to a refund even if the requested documents are not located.
There are also online search tools you can find on the Web that provide marriage documents to the public. Unfortunately, there are bogus search tools that claim to be legit sources of information. List down a few search tools that you plan to use and perform a history check on them. Look for indications such as client feedbacks and determine if they really are a reliable source or not.
Such search tools either require fees for getting documents or supply Public Marriage Records Free. There is no pressure on which one you should use because you will be given at least the basic pieces of information, regardless of which tool you choose to use. To initiate a search online, all you need to supply is the full name of either of the couple. It does not matter where you obtain the documents as long as you follow the same rules that govern them. They should not be used in the defamation, harassment, embarrassment, and/or blackmailing other individuals.
Several vital pieces of information are included in a marriage file. Some of which include the names of the bride and the groom, their date of birth, time and date of marriage, names of witnesses, and others. A marriage file is not considered complete or final if it there is no marriage license. Once a license is granted, it is only valid for 90 days and if the couple fails to marry within that period, the license will expire. Divorce files should be presented by those who apply for a marriage license but have been married in the past.
There are two types of marriage records that can be obtained: authorized and informational copies. Both copies are certified. However, only authorized copies are accepted by the court to be used as a legal document while informational copies are only good for providing information. Any member of the general public can place a request for marriage records but only those whose names are found on the record, such as the couple, their parents, children, and law enforcers amongst others are allowed to obtain authorized records.
To start a search, head to the Public Health office and get the request form and make sure to supply it with all the necessary details. Mention all the details that you know of the document to increase the chances of locating the right document and to get the results faster and not have to wait a several months. If you are aware which particular county clerk of court has the documents, you can place your request there as well. A notarized sworn statement is required if you want to get authorized versions of the documents. Other requirements for requesting the documents include a government-issued ID and the appropriate fees. All fees paid are not subject to a refund even if the requested documents are not located.
There are also online search tools you can find on the Web that provide marriage documents to the public. Unfortunately, there are bogus search tools that claim to be legit sources of information. List down a few search tools that you plan to use and perform a history check on them. Look for indications such as client feedbacks and determine if they really are a reliable source or not.
Such search tools either require fees for getting documents or supply Public Marriage Records Free. There is no pressure on which one you should use because you will be given at least the basic pieces of information, regardless of which tool you choose to use. To initiate a search online, all you need to supply is the full name of either of the couple. It does not matter where you obtain the documents as long as you follow the same rules that govern them. They should not be used in the defamation, harassment, embarrassment, and/or blackmailing other individuals.
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