That little piece of paper is kind of a big deal.
Updated on January 14, 2026 12:41PM
PHOTO BY ADRIANA RIVERA
Key Takeaways
- f your marriage license is lost before the wedding, visit the clerk’s office to request a duplicate and pay a fee.
- A signed but unregistered license requires a duplicate signed by you, your officiant, and witnesses before submission.
- If your marriage certificate is lost after registration, request a replacement using state-specific guidelines from the National Center for Health Statistics.
While the dress, the cake, and the band are all important parts of a wedding, there's one detail that's more important than the rest: your marriage license. After all, this little document is what makes your marriage legal—so you'd better keep a close eye on it.
But what happens if your marriage license goes missing? Ahead, a few tips on how to handle this snafu.
Before It's Been Signed
If your marriage license goes missing before the wedding, head back to the clerk's office where you filed for it to request a duplicate license. You may need to file an affidavit and be prepared to pay a fee. The process and fee will vary from state to state, as will the requirements about who can pick up the copy. Some states require that both of you return to get a duplicate license, while others will allow just one of you (or even an immediate family member) to purchase the duplicate, as your identities were already confirmed when your original license was applied for.
After It's Been Signed
If you already signed your marriage license but haven't returned and registered it with the county recorder, your duplicate license will need to be signed by the two of you, your officiant, and witnesses. Keep an eye on the calendar, though: Depending on the state, your duplicate license may need to be applied for and returned within a calendar year of your first marriage license.
Make sure your marriage license is kept in a safe place, before, during, and after your wedding. Ensure that someone responsible brings the license to your ceremony, that you, your officiant, and your required number of witnesses sign the license, and that it is properly returned to your county recorder.
If You're Already Married
You've returned your license to the county recorder and received both your original marriage certificate and any certified copies you purchased. But somewhere along the way (say, while you were moving from one home to another or in a fire) your marriage license went missing or was destroyed. In this case, you can request a replacement marriage certificate. The National Center for Health Statistics, a branch of the CDC, has made it a little easier: They've compiled each state's guidelines for requesting a replacement certificate, which you can review here.
While the guidelines and fees vary from state to state, you will need to know the following information when determining who to contact and submitting your request:
- Full name of the couple
- Month, day, and year of the marriage
- Place of marriage (city or town, county, and state)
- Purpose for which copy of marriage certificate is needed
- Relationship to persons whose marriage certificate is being requested
