Introduction to Kansas Marriage Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Kansas Marriage certificate.  Marriage Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Marriage Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Marriage Certificates is that states have not been registering marriages for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register marriages.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the marriage took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Marriage Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Marriage Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Marriage certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Marriage certificate by following the correct procedure. 
 

Kansas Marriage Certificate Authorized Persons

By Kansas state law, Kansas Marriage certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Kansas Marriage Certificate
• Immediate family member of individual named on the Kansas Marriage certificate
• Someone who can provide legal proof the record is necessary for the determination of personal property rights
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Kansas Marriage Certificate

Kansas Marriage Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Currently, the Office of Vital Statistics does allow requests for genealogical research. Pre-1940 records may be requested by an individual related as at least a cousin. Post 1940 records must be requested by an immediate family member.

Kansas Marriage Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Kansas Marriage Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Kansas Marriage Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Kansas Marriage Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Kansas Marriage Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Kansas Marriage certificate online.  It usually takes 5-10 business days upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Kansas Marriage certificate:

• Full name of husband on the Kansas Marriage certificate
• Full maiden name of wife on the Kansas Marriage certificate
• Date of Marriage on the Kansas Marriage certificate
• County (or city) of Marriage on the Kansas Marriage certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Kansas Marriage certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Kansas Marriage certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

Office of Vital Statistics

Curtis State Office Building

1000 SW Jackson, Suite 120

Topeka, KS 66612-2221

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Kansas: You may go to any county health department in the State of Kansas to obtain a certified copy of a Kansas Marriage certificate. Most Kansas Marriage certificates can be issued while you wait.

Kansas Marriage Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for an Kansas Marriage certificate is $12.00, which includes one certified copy of the Kansas Marriage certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Kansas Marriage certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $7.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.