Marriage is a contract that legally binds two individuals. Marriage records are documents that show proof of the marriage and they are kept by the government authorities. Marriage records provide important information about the couple and they are stored in the archives of the State’s Records Office. Sometimes it might seem unnecessary to find marriage and divorce records but when some information is needed then becomes necessary to do that. This article sheds light on how and why you should check these records.
How to Find Marriage or Divorce Records
Here are some of the ways you can find marriage or divorce records.
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Check the state office for records
The state office for records in the state where the marriage took place can give access to marriage and divorce records. The state office for records also issues official copies of marriage documents such as certificates to those who are legally entitled to them.
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Search Documents online
Some religious entities, such as churches were the primary organizations that held formal marriage records in the past. But today, information about people’s marriages is publicly recorded and accessible online through verified websites like staterecords.org, which allow people to search for marriage and divorce records they need. It is important to note that there are privacy regulations that must be adhered to while using such websites.
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Check Social media
In most cases, social media is not a very reliable source to search marriage and divorce records because it is usually self-reported and people can make pseudo profiles and fake accounts anytime they want to. Someone who wants to appear single in the eye of the public can easily create an account that suggests so. However, because email addresses may link to social media accounts, you can gain legit information about a person’s marital status by searching Facebook or Instagram using the email address.
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Public records
Marriage records are public documents that allow people to learn about another person’s background. Legal marriages are documented in the municipal hall in the region where the marriage took place. Marriage records reveal if someone has ever been married, is still married, or is divorced. Polygamy is prohibited in many countries, thus marriages are not legitimate until the last marriage is legally dissolved by divorce. All these can be found in the state public records office.
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Check Marriage License and Certificates
A marriage license is a formal document that is issued by the local authority, generally, the county clerk’s office certifies that two persons are legally entitled to marry. A marriage license is received before the actual wedding ceremony day. The marriage license can show proof that two people are married.
A marriage certificate is a state-issued certified record that serves as proof of marriage. After the wedding ceremony, the couple and their witnesses are usually asked to sign the marriage license as confirmation that the marriage took place in the presence of witnesses. The officiating minister then files the signed marriage license with the County Clerk, who then registers it and sends the marriage certificate through the mail to the couple.
If you are looking for more ways on how to find out if someone is married check Radaris blog.
Why you should find Marriage and Divorce Records
Polygamy is prohibited in the USA so it is important to find out if someone is married before getting married to him or her to avoid legal issues in the future. Also checking such records will help you find out any necessary information about a person’s background. Checking such records can help you avoid being scammed or involved in fraudulent activities by people who lie about their marital status.
Apart from the above-mentioned sources, the following public documents can be used to know if someone is married; deeds and mortgages, bank financial statements, civil court papers, bankruptcy records that demonstrate co-ownership, etc.