The Application for Certified Marriage Certificate is the West Virginia form used to order a certified copy of a marriage certificate from the Vital Registration Office, under the West Virginia DHHR / Bureau for Public Health. The people named on the certificate, their adult children and legal representatives use it, and every order must include a copy of photo identification. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and the Vital Registration Office remain with the agency, and the application is submitted through the channels described below.
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What is Application for Certified Marriage Certificate – West Virginia?
The Application for Certified Marriage Certificate is the West Virginia form used to request a certified copy of a marriage certificate from the Vital Registration Office, using the form issued by the West Virginia DHHR / Bureau for Public Health.
The form asks for the groom's name and the bride's maiden name, each in first-middle-last order, the date of marriage in month/day/year format, and the place of application (city and county; the state is printed as WV). It also asks for your relationship to the bride or the groom and for the mailing address to which the certificate should be sent. You sign it under a statement that intentionally making a false statement, or obtaining, possessing or using a vital record other than as the law allows, is a felony under West Virginia law (WV Code §16-5-38).
A search fee must accompany the application. The form describes it as nonrefundable and says it includes one copy, if the record is found. Each additional copy carries its own fee. The amounts are printed on the form, and the information line at (304) 558-2931 can confirm them.
Marriage records are confidential and not open to the general public, except records that are at least 50 years old. That is why the form requires photo identification with every order and, when you order a certificate other than your own, proof of relationship. The shaded box marked "For Office Use Only" is completed by the office, not by you.
Who needs to file Application for Certified Marriage Certificate – West Virginia?
The parties listed on the marriage certificate are entitled to obtain a certified copy with this application. Two other groups may also obtain one:
- Adult children who were a product of the marriage.
- Legal representatives, who must also provide proof of legal representation.
The form adds that proof of relationship may also be required, and that it must be enclosed when you order a certificate other than your own. Photo identification is required for all orders.
Marriage records are confidential and not open to the general public. The form makes one exception: records that are at least 50 years old. If you are not a party to the marriage, an adult child of the marriage or a legal representative, the form does not list you among those entitled to obtain a record that is less than 50 years old.
The applicant signs the form. The relationship question, "What is Your Relationship to the Bride or the Groom?", tells the office which category you fall under.
When to file Application for Certified Marriage Certificate – West Virginia
Submit the application whenever you need a certified copy of a West Virginia marriage certificate. The form prints no due date, filing window or expiration; the triggering event is your need for the record.
Have your identification ready first. The form accepts one document from its primary list, or two from its secondary list, and some of those documents count only if they are unexpired or expired for no more than a stated period. Those limits are listed under required documents.
The search fee is due with the application, not afterward. The form calls it nonrefundable, so check the date of marriage and the names before you send it. The form does not state a processing time. For questions about an order that is already in progress, the Vital Registration information line is (304) 558-2931.
Documents you need
- A copy of one primary photo ID: a DMV-issued driver's license, unexpired or expired for not more than five years, or a DMV-issued learner's/instruction permit with the same limit.
- A copy of one primary photo ID: a DMV-issued photo identification card (excluding child ID cards), unexpired or expired for not more than one year.
- A copy of one primary ID: a current photo ID card (school or employment). Check cashing cards are not acceptable.
- A copy of one primary ID: an unexpired U.S. military ID card of an active duty or retired member. Military dependents' ID cards are not acceptable as primary documents.
- A copy of one primary ID: a U.S. passport, unexpired or expired for not more than five years.
- A copy of one primary ID: a West Virginia Criminal Justice Agency Offender Information Form or a United States Probation Offender Information Form.
- Instead of a primary document, two secondary documents. Without an address requirement: Social Security card, U.S. Selective Service card, U.S. military discharge papers (form DD214), health care insurance card, or Veterans' Universal Access Identification Card.
- Secondary documents that must show your name and current address: utility bill, automobile registration, automobile insurance card, voter's registration card, checking account deposit slip or bank statement, or paycheck stub or W-2 form.
- Secondary documents that must be unexpired: a welfare/social services identification card with photo issued by a municipality, or a weapons or gun permit issued by a federal, state or municipal government.
- Proof of relationship, when you order a certificate other than your own; the form says it may also be required in other cases.
- Proof of legal representation, if you apply as a legal representative of a party to the marriage.
How to fill out Application for Certified Marriage Certificate – West Virginia
Enter the groom's name
In the box for GROOM'S NAME, write the groom's full name in first-middle-last order.
Enter the bride's maiden name
In BRIDE'S MAIDEN NAME, write the name in first-middle-last order, using the maiden name rather than a married name.
Enter the date of marriage
Under DATE OF MARRIAGE, write the date in MONTH/DAY/YEAR format.
Complete the place of application
Under PLACE OF APPLICATION, enter the CITY and COUNTY. The state is printed as WV.
State your relationship
Answer "What is Your Relationship to the Bride or the Groom?" so the office can check that you are entitled to the record, and note that proof of relationship is needed if you order a certificate other than your own.
Enter the mailing address
Under Mail Certificate to, complete the Mailing Address, Suite or Apartment Number and City, State, Zip lines for where the certificate should be sent.
Read the warning and sign
Read the statement about false statements and misuse of vital records (WV Code §16-5-38), then sign on the line marked Signature Required.
Leave the office-use area blank
Do not write in the box marked For Office Use Only; the office completes the receipt, number of copies and amount.
Review, download and assemble
Check the names, date and address, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Add a copy of your photo ID and any proof of relationship or legal representation, plus a check or money order, and submit as described under How to submit.
How to submit Application for Certified Marriage Certificate – West Virginia
The form is set up for mail requests to WV Vital Registration, with the fee and a copy of your identification enclosed. Questions go to the information line at (304) 558-2931.
- By mail: send the signed application to WV Vital Registration, 350 Capitol St. Rm. 165, Charleston, West Virginia, 25301-3701.
- Enclose a copy of your photo ID. The form says a photocopy is sufficient for mail requests and asks you not to send the original. Add proof of relationship if you are ordering a certificate other than your own, and proof of legal representation if you are a legal representative.
- Enclose payment. Make the check or money order payable to "VITAL REGISTRATION". The form says cash is sent at the sender's risk, and that the fee is nonrefundable. The form states the amounts for the search fee and for each additional copy.
- Mail Certificate to: fill in the recipient's mailing address on the form, since the certificate is sent there.
The form names no other submission channel. The agency's web address printed on it is www.wvdhhr.org. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing cash. The form says cash is sent at the sender's risk; use a check or money order instead.
- Making the check or money order payable to anyone other than "VITAL REGISTRATION".
- Sending the original ID. For mail requests the form says a photocopy is sufficient and asks you not to send the original.
- Submitting only one secondary document. The form requires two from the secondary list, or one from the primary list.
- Using an ID that does not qualify: a check cashing card, a military dependent's ID as a primary document, or a driver's license or passport expired for more than five years.
- Leaving the application unsigned. The form marks the signature as required and attaches the felony warning under WV Code §16-5-38 to it.
- Ordering a certificate for someone else without proof of relationship, or as a legal representative without proof of legal representation.
- Entering the bride's married name when the form asks for the bride's maiden name in first-middle-last order.
- Assuming the search fee is returned if no record is found. The form calls it nonrefundable and says it includes one copy only if the record is found.
- Writing in the "For Office Use Only" area, which the office stamps and completes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a certified marriage certificate in West Virginia?
Complete the Application for Certified Marriage Certificate, sign it, enclose a copy of your photo ID and the search fee, and mail it to WV Vital Registration, 350 Capitol St. Rm. 165, Charleston, West Virginia, 25301-3701. The information line is (304) 558-2931.
Who can request a West Virginia marriage certificate?
The parties listed on the marriage certificate, adult children who were a product of the marriage, and legal representatives with proof of legal representation. Marriage records are confidential, except those at least 50 years old, and proof of relationship may also be required.
What ID do I need to order a marriage certificate?
Photo identification is required for all orders. Send a copy of one document from the form's primary list, such as a DMV driver's license or a U.S. passport within its stated dates, or copies of two documents from the secondary list, such as a utility bill and a Social Security card.
Is there a fee for a certified marriage certificate in West Virginia?
Yes. A nonrefundable search fee accompanies the application, includes one copy if the record is found, and each additional copy costs extra. Pay by check or money order payable to "VITAL REGISTRATION"; the form's amounts are on the PDF, or call (304) 558-2931.
Should I send my original ID with the application?
No. For mail requests the form says a photocopy of the document is sufficient and asks you not to send the original. The accepted documents may change without prior notice, so check the current form.
Can I get a marriage certificate if I am not one of the spouses?
Only if you are an adult child of the marriage or a legal representative. Records are not open to the general public unless they are at least 50 years old. You must also enclose proof of relationship, or proof of legal representation if you are a representative.
Is the fee refunded if no marriage record is found?
No. The form says the search fee is nonrefundable and that it includes one copy only if the record is found. Check the names and the date of marriage before sending the application.
Can I fill out the marriage certificate application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not send the application to West Virginia Vital Registration; you mail it yourself with ID and payment.
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