Legal Definitions - Marriage Certificate

A marriage certificate is a legal document that proves a marriage has taken place. It is created by the state and signed by the couple, the person who officiated the wedding, and witnesses. The certificate is usually received by mail a few weeks after the wedding.

It's important to note that a marriage certificate does not guarantee that the marriage is valid or ongoing. It simply shows that a marriage ceremony took place at a specific time and date.

John and Jane got married on June 1st, 2021. After the wedding, they signed their marriage certificate along with the officiant and two witnesses. They then filed the certificate with the county office. A few weeks later, they received their official marriage certificate in the mail.

This example illustrates how a marriage certificate is created and received after a wedding ceremony. It shows that the certificate is a legal document that proves the marriage took place.