Certified copy of marriage certificate

[Victor&Cory 1]

Hello my friends.

When the AOS guide says to include a "certified copy of your marriage certificate" what exactly does it means? Just a copy of it or another original with its stamp? I'm a bit confused here. Thanks for your help.

PEACE...............

[mrs. wife! 3]

Hello my friends.

When the AOS guide says to include a "certified copy of your marriage certificate" what exactly does it means? Just a copy of it or another original with its stamp? I'm a bit confused here. Thanks for your help.

PEACE...............

Not a copy, another original.

[minatours 0]

Hello my friends.

When the AOS guide says to include a "certified copy of your marriage certificate" what exactly does it means? Just a copy of it or another original with its stamp? I'm a bit confused here. Thanks for your help.

PEACE...............

(certified copy means an authenticated copy where stapm is clear

certified copy means an legalized copy good lucck

[christeen 966]

It is an official copy from the govt. agency that issues the birth certificates, it has the seal/stamp from the issuing agency (department of vital statistics)

[FRJ 0]

you cant get that done at the court or wherever there is a notary public.. most ups stores have one

It is an official copy from the govt. agency that issues the birth certificates, it has the seal/stamp from the issuing agency (department of vital statistics)

[Anh map 2,098]

you cant get that done at the court or wherever there is a notary public.. most ups stores have one

A certified copy is not a notarized copy.

Certified copy can only be obtained from the issuing agency.

[FRJ 0]

boils down to the same thing..i did all my copies at the ups store and i had absolutely no problems.

A certified copy is not a notarized copy.

Certified copy can only be obtained from the issuing agency.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

The original birth certificate you got shortly after you were born. Most likely your mom took it into your possession. Every birth certificate you now request is a certified copy, in color, with fancy seal and all. It cost money and you have to wait for it to arrive. For that reason request 3 copies; you'll need them along the way.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

A certified copy is where you take the original to a person like a lawyer and they photocopy it and then stamp EACH PAGE of the copy with "I certify that this is a true copy... etc" and then sign it.

Here's a wiki article about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_copy

As the wiki article states, "Some states in the United States permit notaries public to certify copies; the laws or officials who regulate notaries should be consulted for details". There is a list. We got married in Iowa and they do, Texas on the other hand, where i am currently living does not, so if we apply for AOS while here in Texas, I will need to contact Iowa to get them to send me copies because no-one here will certify a "recordable document".

[VanessaTony 3,567]

The majority of people above are telling you it HAS to be from the issuing agency and they are WRONG. It is entirely dependant on which state you are in. You haven't said what state you are in but check the article I mentioned above to see your state requirements. If your state allows notaries to certify copies then you will need to take your original and photocopies and they will certify it for you. If your state DOESN'T allow certified copies then you will need to contact the issuing agency (like births, deaths marriages).

Good luck.

**Edit - all that said, NONE of the AOS paperwork states a certified copy is required. It simply says "copy". Sending a certified copy is safer, but none of the instructions say certified... just FYI

Edited January 18, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[Anh map 2,098]

boils down to the same thing..i did all my copies at the ups store and i had absolutely no problems.

Yes, photocopies can be done anywhere. The OP is asking about the certified copy. That is the document that you obtain from the issuing agency.

There are times when the actual document is required, not a photocopy.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Yes, photocopies can be done anywhere. The OP is asking about the certified copy. That is the document that you obtain from the issuing agency.

There are times when the actual document is required, not a photocopy.

You obviously did not read my post. You are wrong. A certified copy is NOT a new original. The person you quoted was referring to her CERTIFIED copies and not just photocopies, she just didn't bother re-typing "certified".. read her first post.

Please read my post which CLEARLY shows that whether you need to contact the issuing agency, or have a notary certify is dependant on your state.

Edited January 18, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony