Is this my marriage license?

I don't think that's it. Our officiant gave us a pretty thing that he put together saying we were married by him, our wedding date, etc. That looks like the same sort of thing. The actual marriage license we got back isn't brightly colored or anything, and it's plainly a copy, since the original stays on file with your county or city.

I don't think so-- your marriage license probably won't say "united by me"-- that just looks like something from your officiant. . .

Our officiant said he would give us a "certificate" but he specifically said this is not your marriage license. In his words, "I have nothing to do with your marriage license. You guys have to go get that separately."

I'm so lost here. Will they mail us our original license eventually or am I only able to request a duplicate?

It looks like the one the officant sends to you but not from your State. A state one isn't usually pretty so alot of people frame what you have next to a photo.

Do you know if the State will send us one or if we can only order the duplicate copy?

You went and applied for the license before the wedding right? I thought the officiant usually asks for a copy of your license but I could be wrong... I think when you apply for the license they ask how many copies you'd like.

In North Carolina you have to request a certified copy of the license. Since each state is different, I would recommend calling the office where you purchased the license and ask them what you need to do to get the copy you need.

Jaime - I'm from PA - you should contact the marriage license bureau where you got your license from. In Allegheny County (which is where I live), we have to send in $10 for a duplicate copy after the officiant sends it in. Check with your County that you got your license from. They will be able to help you.

Heather got it.

You're in PA, right? If so, you will likely need to contact the county where you applied fit the license and buy a copy. There are different types of copies but this should all be available online. At least that's how it works in Allegheny County. You apply & receive license, everyone signs after wedding (You, DH, Officiant & Witnesses-BM & MOH) and Officiant mails it within 10 days to make it legal. This should be

spelled out on the county website. Hope that helps!

No, that's just a display certificate. You can use that for framing, etc.

The Clerk of Court in your County in which you were married will send you a certified copy of the license. Ours looks like a bunch of blocks with our information in it. Very bland and boring.

The display copy is not official proof of your marriage.

You won't get the original back, you'll probably get a certified copy. Here's the county website with the information. It looks like it's $12 for a copy and you have to fill out the form (the link's on the site), unless you already paid for a copy as part of your license application.

http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=204

No. The actual marriage license is a legal-size page with detailed info about each of you. Call your county courthouse.

That looks like a souvenir certificate from your officiant. You have to get the certified copy from your county.

Your legal Marriage Certificate should be embossed by the State. In Wisconsin, we had to go in and swear in front of the Clerk and sign things to apply for our Marriage Certificate. Then we had to wait about a week before we could go back and pick it up. Remember also, (And this may vary from state to state), it is only good for a certain length of time. Getting it too far in advance or last minute could spell trouble for you.

I went to the county clerk office in the town where we were married and pick up or sealed original marriage certificate. I called 1st to confirmed that it was ready.

Sorry I'm late to this Jamie - Bucks and Montco work exactly the same. Officiant fills out the original and tears off the part to mail into the county to file the marriage.

Technically that *is* your "original" marriage license, but like what other's said it's only good for display purchases. You need the certified copy for anything official - it will get mailed to you from the county and have the embossed seal.

I can post mine from Bucks if you want to see the difference between the two!

No is sovenir certificate keepsake certificate is not legal document.