Marriage License vs Certificate: What's the Difference?

A marriage license allows you to get married. A marriage certificate proves you did. The license comes before the wedding; the certificate comes after.¹ You need both documents for your marriage to be legally recognized, though in practice, the signed license becomes the certificate once it's filed with the government.

Quick Answer: License vs Certificate

Think of it this way: the license is your "permission slip" to get married, while the certificate is your "receipt" proving the marriage happened.

What Is a Marriage License?

A marriage license is a legal document issued by a government authority that permits two people to marry.¹ Without it, any ceremony you hold is purely symbolic—not legally binding.

Key Facts About Marriage Licenses

• Issued before the ceremony: You must obtain your license days to weeks before your wedding date
• Has an expiration date: Most licenses expire within 30 days to one year if not used¹
• Requires both parties: In most jurisdictions, both partners must appear in person to apply
• Specific to location: You typically apply in the county or district where you'll marry

Where to Get a Marriage License

What Is a Marriage Certificate?

A marriage certificate is the official government document that proves your marriage took place and was legally registered.¹ It contains the date, location, and names of everyone involved in the ceremony.

When You'll Need Your Marriage Certificate

Your certificate is essential for many post-wedding tasks, particularly the name change process:

• Changing your name on ID documents
• Updating Social Security records (US)
• Changing passport details
• Updating bank accounts
• Filing joint tax returns
• Adding spouse to insurance policies
• Immigration and visa applications

Certified vs. Commemorative Certificates

Certified certificate: The legally valid document issued by vital records. This is what you need for official purposes.

Commemorative certificate: A decorative keepsake sometimes given at the ceremony (especially in Australia). This is not legally valid for official documents.³

The Difference Explained: License vs Certificate

How the Process Works: Step by Step

Step 1: Apply for Your License

Visit your local government office (county clerk in the US, register office in the UK, or your celebrant in Australia). Bring required documents:

• Valid government-issued ID (passport or driver's license)
• Birth certificate (some jurisdictions)
• Proof of address
• Divorce decree or death certificate (if previously married)
• Social Security numbers (US)

Step 2: Waiting Period (If Required)

Some locations impose waiting periods between applying and receiving your license:

Step 3: Hold Your Ceremony

Your officiant must have your valid, unexpired license present at the ceremony. The ceremony must occur within your license's validity window and meet signing requirements for witnesses.

Step 4: Sign the License

Immediately after the ceremony:

1. Both spouses sign the license
2. Witnesses sign (usually 2, varies by location)
3. Officiant signs

Step 5: File the License

Your officiant submits the signed license to the appropriate government office. This is usually the officiant's responsibility, though you should confirm this.

Step 6: Receive Your Certificate

Once filed and processed, you'll receive your official marriage certificate by mail or pickup. Processing times vary:

• United States: 1-6 weeks
• United Kingdom: Approximately 4 weeks
• Australia: 2-4 weeks

Regional Guide

United States

In the US, marriage licenses and certificates are handled at the state level, with most applications processed through county clerk offices.¹ Each of the 50 states has its own requirements, fees, and procedures, so it's essential to check with your specific county.

Key US details:

• License costs range from $20-100 depending on state
• Some states offer discounts for completing premarital counseling (Florida, Georgia, and others reduce fees by $25-50)
• Licenses typically valid for 30-90 days
• Blood tests no longer required in most states (Montana remains an exception for certain tests)
• Certificate copies cost $10-50 from vital records
• Most states require both parties to appear in person together when applying

Proxy marriages: A handful of states (California, Colorado, Montana, and Texas) allow "proxy marriages" where one or both parties can be absent under specific circumstances, such as military deployment.

Common state variations:

United Kingdom

The UK uses a different system. Instead of a "license," you give "notice of marriage" at your local register office.² This applies to England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have slightly different procedures.

Key UK details:

• Notice fee: £35 per person (£70 total for couple)²
• Ceremony fee: £56 at register office, £104 at religious building²
• Must give notice at least 29 days before ceremony
• Notice valid for 12 months
• Must have lived in registration district for 7+ days before giving notice
• If either partner is not an EEA national, there's an additional £47 per person fee and both must attend together

Marriage schedule vs. certificate: In the UK, you sign a "marriage schedule" during your ceremony. This document is then sent to the register office where it becomes part of the official marriage register. You receive your marriage certificate separately, usually within a few weeks.

The UK process:

1. Give notice at your local register office (both partners separately if in different districts)
2. Wait 29 days (details publicly displayed for objections)
3. Receive authority to marry
4. Sign the marriage schedule at your ceremony
5. Schedule sent to register office for registration
6. Receive marriage certificate (can order additional copies for approximately £11 each)

Australia

Australia requires a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) filed with your celebrant at least one month before the ceremony.³ Unlike the US and UK, Australia uses authorized marriage celebrants (civil or religious) to handle most of the paperwork.

Key Australian details:

• NOIM must be lodged 1-18 months before wedding
• No government fee for NOIM (celebrant may charge for their services)
• Both parties must sign NOIM in front of an authorized witness
• Celebrant files paperwork with the registry after ceremony
• Commemorative certificate given on wedding day (not legally valid for official purposes)
• Official certificate obtained from state registry after marriage is registered

Shortening the notice period: In exceptional circumstances (medical emergencies, imminent deployment, etc.), you can apply to marry with less than one month's notice. A $60.40 assessment fee applies, and approval is not guaranteed.

State registry costs for certificates:

Costs Comparison

Getting Copies of Your Marriage Certificate

You'll want multiple certified copies of your marriage certificate for various name changes and legal purposes.

How Many Copies?

Order 3-5 certified copies upfront. You'll need them for:

• Social Security Administration
• DMV/driving license
• Passport office
• Bank accounts
• Employer HR
• Insurance companies

How to Order

United States: Contact the vital records office in the state where you married¹

United Kingdom: Order online through the General Register Office or your local register office

Australia: Apply through your state or territory registry of births, deaths, and marriages

Common Questions Answered

"I lost my marriage license before the wedding"

Contact the issuing office immediately. You can usually get a replacement, though you may need to pay another fee. If your license has expired, you'll need to reapply.

"I never received my certificate"

Contact the vital records office where you married. Your marriage should be on file once your officiant submitted the signed license. If they haven't filed it yet, follow up with your officiant.

"My certificate has an error"

Request a correction from vital records. You'll typically need to provide documentation supporting the correction (birth certificate, ID, etc.) and pay a fee.

"I need to prove my marriage abroad"

For international use, you may need an apostille (for countries in the Hague Convention) or authentication from the appropriate government office. Some countries also require certified translations.

Sources and References