How do I Find Out If Someone Is Married Without Having to Pay a Fee?

By Kristie Lorette

Updated December 20, 2018

Wedding photos

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If you are trying to find out if someone is married, the good news is that marriage licenses are public records. Anyone can find out if someone is married by searching the public records for the state and county where the marriage certificate is filed. With access to the internet, you can find the county records without paying a fee, unless you request a copy of the marriage license.

Confirm the county where the marriage took place. You may have to narrow down your options based on where you know the person lived in their lifetime.

Read More: How to Find Someone Else's Marriage License?

Visit the National Association of Counties website to find the public records website of the county where you want to search for the marriage license.

Choose the state. Click on the state where you want to search the county records.

Pick the county. Choose the county of the public records you want to search and then click on the website address for the county records.

Click on the public records link. Search the county website for a section or link that provides you access to search the public records.

Input search name. Fill in the information for the person you are searching for and press "search" to view the listings.

Click on the record in the listings. If one or more listings appears from your search, you can click on the appropriate one (if applicable) and typically view a copy of the marriage license or the information on the marriage license, such as the names of the bride and groom and date.

Tips

Divorce records are also public records. To make sure that the marriage is still valid, you may also want to search the divorce records. If your county does not have the public records available online, then you can contact the clerk of court for the county and find out the hours you can visit the office to do a public records search. The county clerk may also be able to provide information on the marriage license by phone.

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