Find record of a recent marriage?
February 15, 2006 8:07 AM Subscribe
Find record of a recent marriage? Massachusetts?
A friend asked me if I knew how to get records of a marriage - a recent marriage (she thinks someone got married to someone for immigration reasons). She's curious because it's the girlfriend of her son that she thinks is already married.
I have first and last name of woman and possibly last name of groom.
Is it public record??
(Boy I hope that made sense!)
A friend asked me if I knew how to get records of a marriage - a recent marriage (she thinks someone got married to someone for immigration reasons). She's curious because it's the girlfriend of her son that she thinks is already married.
I have first and last name of woman and possibly last name of groom.
Is it public record??
(Boy I hope that made sense!)
Best answer: Its the city or town Clerk who handles marriage licenses in MA.
posted by paxton at 8:22 AM on February 15, 2006
posted by paxton at 8:22 AM on February 15, 2006
Response by poster: Thanks!
Called clerk and got info.
posted by beccaj at 8:50 AM on February 15, 2006
Called clerk and got info.
posted by beccaj at 8:50 AM on February 15, 2006
Public records regulations vary from state to state, county to county, city to city. Best bet is if you know (or suspect) the county, to physically go to the county recorders office.
* Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
* SearchSystems.net or their Mass page
* Massachusetts Document Retrieval or more specific info at their Marriage Certificate search page
You could also hire a private investigator (helpful and not too expensive) or use an online public records search service (even less expensive, but also probably less helpful).
If you think this is a very quiet arrangement, the normal suggestion of searching newspaper archives won't work.
I'm pretty sure knowing the county (or narrowing it down) is going to help you a lot.
posted by mumeishi at 9:08 AM on February 15, 2006
* Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
* SearchSystems.net or their Mass page
* Massachusetts Document Retrieval or more specific info at their Marriage Certificate search page
You could also hire a private investigator (helpful and not too expensive) or use an online public records search service (even less expensive, but also probably less helpful).
If you think this is a very quiet arrangement, the normal suggestion of searching newspaper archives won't work.
I'm pretty sure knowing the county (or narrowing it down) is going to help you a lot.
posted by mumeishi at 9:08 AM on February 15, 2006
Just because she got a marriage license doesn't mean she got married. You need to get a copy of the Certificate of Marriage to be sure.
Just making sure you realize there is a major difference between the two. :)
posted by whoda at 9:34 AM on February 15, 2006
Just making sure you realize there is a major difference between the two. :)
posted by whoda at 9:34 AM on February 15, 2006
Response by poster: whoda
good point...based on some already gathered info- pretty good chance they went thru with it.
Thanks all.
posted by beccaj at 9:42 AM on February 15, 2006
good point...based on some already gathered info- pretty good chance they went thru with it.
Thanks all.
posted by beccaj at 9:42 AM on February 15, 2006
You might be able to confirm the marriage if there is a public record of the immigration filings for the spouse. Might be worth a look.
posted by mds35 at 9:46 AM on February 15, 2006
posted by mds35 at 9:46 AM on February 15, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by logicpunk at 8:10 AM on February 15, 2006