Get your certified West Virginia Marriage Certificate

The fee for a certified copy of a West Virginia marriage certificate varies by county and ordering method. When ordering through VitalRecordsOnline.com, processing fees apply in addition to the state or county fee. Contact your local vital records office or county clerk for the exact current fee schedule. Expedited processing and shipping options are available for an additional charge.

Yes, you can order a West Virginia marriage certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. The online process allows you to submit your application, provide required information, and pay securely. Online orders are typically processed faster than mail-in requests. You will need to provide identifying information about both spouses and the date and location of the marriage.

In West Virginia, the individuals named on the marriage certificate, their immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a direct and tangible interest may request a certified copy. Third-party requestors typically need to provide a notarized authorization letter from one of the parties named on the certificate, along with valid identification and a statement explaining the purpose of the request.

West Virginia marriage records are generally considered public records. However, access to certified copies may be limited to authorized individuals such as the parties named on the certificate, their family members, or those with a legitimate legal need. Informational or non-certified copies may be available for genealogical research and other purposes. Contact the West Virginia vital records office for specific access policies.

A marriage license is the document you obtain before your wedding that legally authorizes you to marry in West Virginia. A marriage certificate is the official record proving your marriage took place. After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the appropriate office for filing. Once recorded, it becomes the official marriage certificate. You need the certificate for legal purposes like name changes, insurance benefits, tax filing, and immigration applications.

You can obtain a certified copy of a West Virginia marriage certificate from the state vital records office, the county clerk or recorder where the marriage was filed, or online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. For older records, you may need to contact the county directly or the state archives. Processing times vary by method, with online and in-person requests typically being the fastest options.

If you lose your marriage certificate:

1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the WVDHHR-HSC.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the WVDHHR-HSC at:
      West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources,
      Health Statistics Center,
      350 Capitol St.,
      Charleston, WV 25301
      
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
3. WVDHHR-HSC will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Contact the county where you applied for your marriage certificate to correct or amend a marriage record.

Your application must include at least two original documents supporting your request, established at least five years before the application date or within seven years of the event. Acceptable documents include birth certificates, voter registrations, expired IDs, and military discharge papers.

If you cannot obtain the necessary documents, you must petition a court for a correction. Once you receive a court order, provide a certified copy to this office. Residents of West Virginia should petition the court in their county of residence.

Correcting or amending marriage certificate usually will require the following:

1. A completed, notarized amendment application;
2. Supporting documentation;
3. Appropriate fee(s);

Apostilles can be requested from the West Virginia Secretary of State or Vital Records Online (VRO). VRO offers reliable apostille services in all 50 states and is legally recognized by governments and organizations in over 100 countries.

An apostille is necessary to certify vital records for use in another country. The West Virginia Secretary of State issues apostilles for vital records originally filed with the WVDHHR-HSC.

If you request by mail, you will need to provide the following information:

1. Completed Apostille and Certification Request (Form AC-1).
2. Certified marriage record certificate
3. Pay a fee of $10.00 for each certification by check or money order payable to the WV Secretary of State
4. Self-addressed envelope only if expedited delivery is needed

You can submit requests for marriage record apostilles to the Secretary of State at the following addresses

For standard mail or express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to one of the following addresses: