What Are Wyoming Marriage Records?

Wyoming marriage records comprise an official collection of legal documents that authorize and confirm the legal standing of marital unions in the state. The safekeeping of marriage records in Wyoming began in 1941, with both state and local government offices maintaining these vital records.

Marriage records typically contain the full names and dates of birth of the spouses, the date and location of the wedding, and the names and signatures of the officiant and witnesses. They come in various forms, such as marriage licenses, certificates, registers, and applications.

A marriage certificate serves as official proof of a couple's union, issued post-ceremony and signed by the officiant before submission to the appropriate office. On the other hand, a marriage license permits the couple to marry and must be obtained before the ceremony, as mandated under Wyoming Statutes (WS) Section 20-1-103.

Marriage records aid in tracing family lineage for ancestral research, confirming marital status during divorce or custody proceedings, or asserting inheritance claims in probate cases.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

In Wyoming, marriage records, including marriage certificates, are classified as confidential for 50 years from the date of the marriage and the creation of the record.

This confidentiality is mandated under WS Section 35-1-426(a) and the "Use and Disclosure of Vital Records Information" policy of the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).

These regulations aim to safeguard the privacy of individuals and ensure the appropriate use of their marriage records.

During the 50-year confidentiality period, only authorized individuals can access marriage certificates. This includes the married parties, their legal representatives, immediate family members, individuals with a court order, and those accessing records for genealogical or research purposes.

After 50 years, marriage records become public and accessible to anyone. At that point, requesting individuals can obtain and examine information such as the names of the spouses, the date and location of the marriage, and the officiant's details.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Wyoming?

Detailed, certified copies of marriage records filed from 1941 to the present are available through the Vital Statistics Services (VSS) office, a division of the WDH.

For older records, individuals can contact the clerk's office in the county where the marriage happened. However, these records typically contain basic details only, such as the couple's names, marriage date, and location.

Marriage records older than 50 years are also accessible at the Wyoming State Archives (WSA), though they are not certified copies. The WSA houses records from before 1965, which are stored on microfilm.

When requesting marriage records, individuals must submit the following information and documents:

• Couple's names
• Marriage date and location
• Officiant's name
• A valid government-issued ID for identity verification
• Proof of relationship to the couple if the requestor is not the bride or groom
• The reason for requesting the record

Fees for marriage record lookups vary depending on the office, type of record, and method of request (in-person, by mail, or online).

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

Marriage certificates are available in Wyoming as certified and uncertified (plain) copies. Certified copies bear an official stamp or seal, which confirms their authenticity. These are required for legal processes such as applying for legal name changes or loans, obtaining dual citizenship, enabling joint taxation, or securing family insurance benefits.

Conversely, uncertified copies, which lack the stamp or seal, are not valid for legal use. They are primarily used for personal purposes, such as tracing family history or conducting genealogical research.

Here's how to obtain a certified marriage certificate in the state:

Online

• Visit the VSS office's "Request an Official Wyoming Certificate" webpage and click the "Online Certificate Ordering Portal" button to access the Wyoming Vital Statistics Services Portal system.
• Create a profile if accessing the portal for the first time.
• Log in to the portal and select "Order Marriage Certificate" under the "Certificate" tab.
• Provide the required information:
  • Full names of spouses at the time of marriage
  • Date and place of marriage (city or county)
  • Full name, address, mailing address, and contact details of the requestor
  • Relationship of the requestor to the individuals named on the certificate. Indicate "Self" if applicable.
• Upload a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, passport, tribal ID, military ID, or state ID card.
• Pay the $25 fee per certificate via credit card, along with a 2% or $1 minimum processing fee. All completed payments are non-refundable.

In-Person

Individuals can obtain certified copies of marriage certificates in Wyoming by visiting the VSS office in Cheyenne. Counter service hours are Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Friday services available by appointment only.

Alternatively, requests can be made in person at the town or county clerk's office where the wedding occurred and the marriage license was issued. Proper documentation and payment of fees are required.

County clerks charge $5.25 per certified copy. Many clerk offices also provide request forms for marriage certificates on their websites for convenience.

By Mail

• Download and print the "Request for Certified Copy of a Wyoming Vital Record" form from the VSS office's "How To Get An Official Wyoming Marriage or Divorce Certificate" webpage.
• Complete the form with the following details:
  • Full names of the applicant and spouse, including any prior surnames
  • Date and location of the marriage
  • Mailing address for certificate delivery
  • Signature of the applicant or spouse named on the certificate
• Attach a photocopy of a valid ID as proof of identity.
• Pay the $25 fee per certificate via money order or bank-personalized check made payable to Vital Statistics Services. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
• Submit the completed form, payment, and additional documents to:

Official copies are sent via first-class mail. For expedited delivery through FedEx, UPS, or USPS express mail, a pre-paid label listing the requestor's address as both sender and recipient is required.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

In Wyoming, certified copies of marriage licenses are available from the county clerk's offices where the original marriage licenses were issued. These certified copies are often required to provide proof of marriage, update names on driver's licenses or Social Security cards, or add a person to insurance policies.

The availability of records, procedures, and requirements vary by county. For instance, the Uinta County Clerk's Office maintains marriage license records dating back to August 9, 1872. Meanwhile, the Campbell County Clerk's Office provides only one certified copy within 60 days of the wedding for $5.50.

Individuals often need to complete a particular form provided by the county clerk's office and submit it by mail or in person or use a specific online system or portal.

Required documents and information generally include the bride and groom's full names, the marriage date, the requestor's details if not a party to the marriage, and a photocopy of valid identification.

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

In addition to the Wyoming Vital Statistics Services Portal system of the VSS office and online resources of some county clerk's offices, Wyoming marriage records are accessible online through various non-governmental sources.

Genealogical societies offer valuable resources and tools for such searches. For example, the Cheyenne Genealogical & Historical Society (CGHS) maintains online indexes of early Wyoming marriages, covering marriage licenses issued between 1869 and 1906.

Alternatively, commercial platforms like RecordsFinder offer fast and convenient marriage record retrieval services. These third-party platforms aggregate data from multiple government sources and store it in centralized servers.

Users can filter marriage records by date, location, and name. Basic access is usually free, while detailed information may incur fees. Though these services do not provide certified copies of marriage records, they are useful for conducting personal research and verifying marriage occurrences.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

Wyoming does not recognize confidential marriages, which are unions where only the couple and officiant are present during the wedding, and the marriage record is sealed. In such marriages, the record is accessible only to the couple or individuals with a court order or decree issued by a judge.

Although there are no legal provisions for confidential marriages in Wyoming, marriage records remain private for 50 years. After this period, individuals wishing to maintain privacy may petition the court to seal or restrict access to the records.

Once sealed, the full details or parts of the record are no longer publicly accessible except to those authorized by the court order.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

To obtain a marriage license in Wyoming, couples must appear in person at the county clerk's office, complete the marriage license form or questionnaire, and present valid photo identification. If either party has been previously married, a death certificate or divorce decree must be provided.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Individuals under 18 may qualify if they meet the legal criteria for entering into contracts under WS Section 14-1-102 or have been emancipated by a Wyoming court as per WS Section 14-1-203.

Those aged 16 or 17 must provide written consent from a parent or guardian, supported by testimony from a competent witness, as well as a court order from a Wyoming judge.

Wyoming does not impose residency, blood testing, or medical information disclosure requirements for obtaining a marriage license.

Marriage officiants should meet the qualifications specified in WS Section 20-1-106, which include judges, ordained ministers, and other recognized religious leaders. Moreover, two witnesses, aged 18 or older, must attend the ceremony and sign the marriage license with the officiant.

With no waiting period, couples can marry immediately after receiving the marriage license. Marriage licenses are valid for one year and can only be used within the state.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

Marriage certificates may occasionally contain errors due to typographical mistakes or incorrect information provided at the time of issuance. Common errors are:

• Misspelled names of either spouse
• Incorrect dates of birth or marriage
• Errors in the location of birth or marriage
• Misrecorded officiant information, such as name or credentials

The spouse or an attorney representing either party may request a correction on the certificate through the VSS office. The steps are as follows:

• Fill out the "Wyoming Application for Correction" form, available on the VSS office's "Corrections and Court Order Changes" webpage.
• Provide appropriate evidence to support the requested correction.
• If the correction involves a court-ordered change (e.g., court-ordered name or gender marker changes), a certified copy of the court order must be included. The court order must explicitly authorize the VSS office to amend or issue a new certificate.
• Mail the completed form, supporting evidence, photocopy of a valid government-issued ID, and payment to the address indicated on the form.

The fee for a replacement certificate after correction is $15 per copy, while a certified copy following a court order change is $55. If replacing an existing certificate, return the original as part of the submission.

Individuals may contact the Marriage Corrections clerk at 307-777-6943 for any relevant concerns.

Are Marriage Records Under the Wyoming Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

Address Confidentiality Programs (ACPs) protect victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking by substituting real addresses with legal alternatives and providing a mail forwarding service. Participants can use the substitute address with public agencies when obtaining marriage licenses, certificates, driver's licenses, or voter registration.

However, Wyoming does not have an ACP. Still, individuals at risk may seek domestic violence or stalking protection orders under Wyoming law. These legal remedies may support petitions to seal marriage records if disclosure poses a risk. Records under these remedies may only be accessible to individuals with a court order or other authorized parties.

Wyoming Marriage Statistics and Trends

In the US, 53% of adults aged 18 and older are married, a decline from 58% in 1995. Additionally, 50% of adults aged 18 to 44 have been married at least once.

Marriage rates differ notably across racial and ethnic groups nationwide. White adults (57%) and Asian adults (63%) have higher marriage rates compared to Hispanic adults (48%) and black adults (33%).

Wyoming's marriage statistics align closely with national trends but show slight differences. These differences can be attributed to factors such as Wyoming's smaller rural population, economic conditions, demographic characteristics, and cultural attitudes toward marriage.

Wyoming-specific data reveals the following:

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