Nebraska marriage records refer to all available information about the social and legal contract which binds two individuals together as a couple in a domestic relationship in the state. As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling of June 26, 2015, Nebraska started recognizing same-sex marriages and offer records of these unions.
Are Nebraska Marriage Records Available to the Public?
While Nebraska marriage records fall under public records by definition, they are not readily available to members of the public. In Nebraska, marriage records are composed of marriage licenses and marriage certificates.
A marriage license obtained in Nebraska is on the public record, so the names of the couple will be available to the public. However, a certified copy of a marriage license is not. It may only be obtained upon the establishment of a relationship to the couple named on the license, the provision of a copy of a valid photo ID, and the payment of all applicable fees.
A Nebraska marriage certificate is not considered public information and a copy can only be obtained by either of the persons named on the certificate and their children. A representative of the couple, with legal authorization, is also eligible to obtain a copy.
Family Court records can include marriage records and divorce records. These records contain personal information of those involved and their maintenance is critical should anyone involved wish to make changes. Because of this both marriage and divorce records can be considered more difficult to locate and obtain than other public records, and may not be available through government sources or third party public record websites.
What is a Nebraska Marriage Record?
A Nebraska marriage record is all the available documents that provide authentication of a marriage between two individuals in the state. The records will provide information detailing the establishment of the union between the individuals. The State Department of Health and Human Services records all marriages enacted in the state since 1909. Records prior to this date are available from Nebraska County Clerk’s Offices that issued the associated marriage licenses.
Both government websites and organizations may offer divorce and marriage records. Similarly, third party public record websites can also provide these types of records. But because third party organizations are not operated or sponsored by the government, record availability may vary. Further, marriage and divorce records are considered highly private and are often sealed, meaning availability of these types of records cannot be guaranteed.
What is a Nebraska Marriage Certificate?
A Nebraska marriage certificate is a government-issued document that provides verification that two individuals (named on the certificate), having satisfied all requirements, are legally married. A Nebraska marriage certificate will contain the following information:
- Names of the two individuals (spouses)
- Location of the marriage ceremony
- Date of the marriage ceremony
- Name of the official who performed the marriage
- Names of witnesses
In Nebraska, marriage certificates are typically obtained from the Vital Records Office of the Department of Health and Human Services.
What is a Nebraska Marriage License?
A Nebraska marriage license is a document that authorizes a couple (named on the license) to get married in the state. Obtaining a marriage license represents approval for the prospective couple to enter a union that will be registered in the state and be legally recognized. Obtain a Nebraska marriage license from any County Clerk Office in the state.
How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Nebraska
Parties in Nebraska can change their name after marriage by first locating their marriage license. Parties must update their social security records upon changing their name after marriage. They can do this by visiting or writing to a Social Security Administration (SSA) office in the state. The SSA will require the requesting party to fill out an application form, provide proof of identity, and submit a copy of their marriage certificate.
Once the name change has gained approval, they can update their driver's license information by visiting any local Nebraska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office around them. They will need to notify the state's DMV within 60 days of changing their name and bring a valid ID, a copy of their marriage certificate, and two documents they can use to verify their address. In addition, the DMV will provide an Operators License Data ID form to fill.
Nebraska Formal Marriage License
A formal marriage license is the typical marriage license that provides approval for two individuals to get married. In Nebraska, a marriage license must be obtained before two individuals can get married in the state. A marriage license obtained in Nebraska is only valid in the state.
Nebraska Common-Law Marriage License
Common-law marriage defines a situation where two individuals live together and present themselves as a married couple, without obtaining a marriage license or performing a wedding ceremony. By legislative enactment, a common-law marriage purportedly entered in the State of Nebraska is not valid; unless entered prior to 1923. Since 1923, common-law marriages have been prohibited in the state. Therefore, Nebraska no longer provides common-law marriage licences.
A common-law marriage will only be recognized, in the State of Nebraska, if the couple that claims to be in a common-law marriage previously lived in a state in which it was valid.
How Do I Obtain a Nebraska Marriage License?
Obtain a Nebraska marriage license from any County Clerk’s Office in the state. To apply for and receive a marriage license, both applicants must be of legal age, i.e. 19 years. Eligible applicants under 19 years must be 17 years or older and must present written and notarized consents from their parents or legal guardians. Persons under 17 years are not eligible to receive a marriage license in Nebraska.
The fee for a marriage license is $25, due at the time of the application. There is a $9 fee for the certification of the license. A certified marriage license will be mailed to the couple if the fee is paid.
Both individuals applying for a license must be present to make the application and each of them must fill out a marriage worksheet. When applying for a marriage license, applicants will be required to provide:
- Valid government-issued photo IDs (Driver’s license, Nebraska state ID, Military ID, or passport)
- Proof of age (Certified birth certificate; A foreign birth certificate must be accompanied by a translated & notarized copy)
Applicants who have been previously married must provide the date the previous marriage ended. There is no waiting period before getting married, and applicants are not required to submit to a blood test.
To request a copy of a marriage license issued in the State of Nebraska, submit a request to the agency maintaining the record. A certified copy of a marriage license will typically cost $9.
For marriage licenses issued prior to 1913, contact the Nebraska State Historical Society.
For marriage licenses issued between 1909 and June 1976, contact the Vital Records Office of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
For marriage licenses issued from June 1976 till present, contact the Clerk of the County where the license was issued.
How Do I Obtain a Nebraska Marriage Certificate?
Obtain a copy of a certified Nebraska marriage certificate from the Department of Health and Human Services. The Vital Records Office of the DHHS has a register of all marriages occurring in the state since 1909.
Contact the Clerk of the County where the licenses were issued, for certificates prior to this date. There is a $16 fee for obtaining a Nebraska marriage certificate, which can be paid in cash, by check, or by money order. A request for a Nebraska marriage certificate can be made online, by mail, or in person.
When submitting a mail request, send it to:
Vital Records Office
Department of Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 95065
Lincoln, NE 68509-5065
Include a completed Application For Certified Copy Of Marriage Certificate form, along with a check or money order for the fee (made payable to the Vital Records Office), a copy of a valid photo ID, and a stamped self-addressed envelope.
Make an in-person request by taking a completed Application For Certified Copy Of Marriage Certificate form, the complete payment fee (cash is acceptable for in-person requests), and a valid photo ID to:
Office of Vital Records
1033 O Street
Suite 130
Lincoln, NE 68508-3621
FAQs
Are marriage records public in Nebraska? ›
A marriage license obtained in Nebraska is on the public record, so the names of the couple will be available to the public. However, a certified copy of a marriage license is not.
How do I find marriage records? ›The state office for vital records, or the state equivalent, provides access to marriage license records and issues official and certified copies of marriage documents to persons authorized by law to obtain them.
Are US marriage records public? ›Marriage licenses and divorces are public records and are available to anyone that requests them. Divorce records can be sealed under certain situations. In the case where they are sealed they will no longer be available to the general public.
How do I get a copy of my marriage certificate in Nebraska? ›- (402) 471-2871.
- (402) 471-8238.
- DHHS.VitalRecords@nebraska.gov.
- P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-5065.
Divorce records in Nebraska are deemed to be confidential.
Are Nebraska birth records public? ›Per the Nebraska Administrative Code, certified copies of vital records are open to the person named on the record, immediate family members, and authorized legal representatives.
How can I find marriage records in USA? ›Married in the U.S.: How to Get a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate. Contact the state vital records office. They may direct you to the clerk of the city or county where the license was issued or to another local office.
How do I find out if my marriage is registered? ›You may request for a copy of your Certificate of Marriage (COM) at the LCR of the city or municipality where your marriage was held and registered. If your COM was duly submitted by the solemnizing officer, then the LCR will be able to provide you with the registered copy.
How do I find my divorce records on ancestry com? ›Finding divorce records
Go to marriage and divorce records and skip to step 4, or from any page on Ancestry®, click the Search tab and select Card Catalog. Under Filter by Category on the left side of the page, click Birth, Marriage & Death. Under Filter by Category again, click Marriage & Divorce.
You prove a ceremonial marriage by providing: A certified copy of the public record of the marriage; A certified copy of the religious record of the marriage; or. The original marriage certificate.
Is StateRecords org a legitimate website? ›
StateRecords.org is not a consumer reporting agency under the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. Conducting a search on Staterecords.org is subject to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. "Publicly available records are a fundamental guarantee of our Freedoms & Democracy."
How can I find when my parents were married? ›These may be at the county courthouse and/or in the state archives. Various collections can be found in online databases such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org , Ancestry.com or FindMyPast.com. Parish records – Look for the marriage bann records here. Check state archives as well as the online databases.
How do I get a certified copy of my divorce decree in Nebraska? ›How do I get a copy of my divorce decree? Divorce decrees that were filed in Douglas County are filed with the Clerk of the District Court. To obtain a copy of your decree, please contact their office at 444-7018. Their office is located on the third floor in the Hall of Justice, 1701 Farnam Street, Room 300.
Can you get a marriage license online in Nebraska? ›Where do I get a marriage license? Marriage licenses are issued by Nebraska counties. Generally, both parties must appear in person to get a marriage license.
Who can legally marry a couple in Nebraska? ›Per Nebraska Revised Statutes §42-108, “Every judge, retired judge, clerk magistrate or retired clerk magistrate, and every preacher of the gospel authorized by the usages of the church to which he or she belongs to solemnize marriages, may perform the marriage ceremony in this State.
Can you get divorced in a different state than you were married? ›You can file for divorce in a state other than the state in which you are married, as long as you meet residency requirements. If you do not meet the residency requirements for the state in which you are attempting to file for divorce, your divorce complaint can be rejected.
How can I check my divorce date? ›Visit the Vital Statistics office for the county where the divorce took place. If you don't know the county, you can contact the state's Vital Records Office. Reach out to them online, over the phone, or in person. These offices sometimes go by different names.
Are court records public? ›The records of every court of justice shall be public records and shall be available for the inspection of any interested person, at all proper business hours, under the supervision of the clerk having custody of such records, unless the court shall, in any special case, have forbidden their publicity, in the interest ...
When did Nebraska start recording births? ›Certificates for births started in 1912. Beginning in 1941, a person born in Nebraska before 1905 could ask to have their birth record put on file (delayed birth). For marriages before 1909, contact the county where the marriage license was filed or the Nebraska State Historical Society .
When did Nebraska start keeping birth records? ›The state of Nebraska first started recording births and deaths in 1904. Birth certificates weren't issued in Nebraska until 1912.
How do I find old obituaries in Nebraska? ›
The first obvious place to find the obituary of an ancestor is the archives of the local newspaper in the town or city where they lived and died. Local newspapers are the ones that tend to publish more obituaries than big, nationwide titles, and this is something you should bear in mind when embarking on a search.
Are marriage records public in Texas? ›Yes. Unless otherwise ruled by a court, Texas marriage records are public information and can be accessed by interested members of the public upon request. However, public marriage records can be sealed or deemed confidential following the request of the registrant(s) or a court ruling.
How can you find out if someone is married in Texas? ›Contact the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to purchase copies of vital statistics indexes, or to request vital records or marriage and divorce verifications. Electronic copies of some marriage and divorce indexes are available to download from the DSHS website free of charge.
Are Florida marriage records public? ›Are Florida Marriage Records Public Information? Yes. Florida marriage records are public records. As such, interested members of the public may access these records without identification or related documentation.
What if the marriage is not registered? ›Non-registration of marriage does not nullify marriage. If the couple have lived together with intention and purpose and meaning of marriage then they are considered as married couple.
Where can I get a marriage report? ›Forms are downloadable online (www.dfa.gov.ph/download) or at Consular Records Window.
Is marriage contract and marriage certificate the same? ›A marriage certificate, commonly known as a marriage contract, is defined by the PSA as "a document that shows social union or a legal contract between people that creates kinship." In simpler terms, this certificate is proof that a couple's union is deemed legal and valid.
How do I access my 1939 Register on Ancestry? ›1939 Register | How to explore the register on Ancestry - YouTube
Where can I get a copy of my divorce papers? ›If you don't have the case number but you do have the exact date, the Registrar at the High Court can use the information to search the divorce records of that year, month and day to retrieve the file from the archives, after which a copy will be made that is stamped and signed by the High Court.
How do you denote a divorce from a family tree? ›Divorces, like marriages, births, deaths and other events are recorded as facts in the tree. In order to show a divorce between two people in the tree, add a divorce fact for the couple. Adding the fact, such as divorce, marriage, separation, etc., for one of the two partners will add the fact for both of them.
What is the Social Security loophole? ›
What's the loophole? It's the rule that allows 66-year-old retirees to collect spousal benefits on a husband's or wife's Social Security record while letting their own benefit continue to grow until age 70, at which point they get a 32 percent bonus added to their monthly retirement checks.
What happens if you don't report marriage to Social Security? ›If you fail to report changes in a timely way, or if you intentionally make a false statement, we may stop your SSI, disability, and retirement benefits. We may also impose a sanction against your payments. The first sanction is a loss of payments for six months. Subsequent sanctions are for 12 and 24 months.
What is the marriage penalty for Social Security? ›A married couple (eligible individual and eligible or ineligible spouse) is entitled to only one $20 exclusion per month regardless of whether one or both members have income.
What is the best free website for public records? ›- TruthFinder - Best Overall.
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- TruthFinder: Best background check service overall.
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Original birth, marriage, and death records are not open to the public and are not available online; you can gain access to these certificates by searching the birth, marriage and death indexes, then ordering a copy of the records. You'll need the information found in an index to request a copy of a birth certificate.
Are marriage records public in New York? ›Are New York marriage records public? Marriage records that are at least 50 years old are public records and are available to anyone. The State Department of Health provides microfiche indexes that cover marriages outside of NYC dating back to 1881.
Are Illinois marriage records public? ›Are Illinois Marriage Records Public Information? Yes. Interested persons may obtain a document verifying a marriage or civil union in Illinois — this document is for informational purposes only. Certified copies of marriage records become public information after 75 years.
How do I get a marriage license in Nebraska? ›Your marriage license must be obtained in the state in which you will be married. However, a license issued in one county in Nebraska can be used in any county in Nebraska. The fee for a marriage license is $25.00 cash or credit card (portal fee charged for credit card use). Personal checks are not accepted.
How do I find marriage records in Iowa? ›Certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates may be obtained from the state office of vital records by telephone, in-person, or through a postal service. Fees are payable by check or money order made out to the Iowa Department of Public Health. In-person requests may also be paid in cash.
When did Nebraska start issuing death certificates? ›
Nebraska began official death registrations in late 1904. Complete compliance did not occur until several years later. Records after 1904 are held at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Some death record indexes are available for this time period.
How do I get a death certificate in Nebraska? ›For available records of births and deaths after 1904, contact the Nebraska Health and Human Services, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 301 Centennial Mall South, First Floor, Lincoln, NE 68509, 402-471-2871 to obtain prices and procedures.
Who can legally marry a couple in Nebraska? ›Per Nebraska Revised Statutes §42-108, “Every judge, retired judge, clerk magistrate or retired clerk magistrate, and every preacher of the gospel authorized by the usages of the church to which he or she belongs to solemnize marriages, may perform the marriage ceremony in this State.
What is the average cost of a wedding in Nebraska? ›What are the legal grounds for divorce in Nebraska? Nebraska recognizes “no-fault” divorce. In order to file for a divorce in Nebraska, you or your spouse must be a resident of Nebraska for at least 1 year before filing for divorce and you must prove that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” for it to be dissolved.
How long is a marriage license good for in Iowa? ›In Iowa, marriage licenses are valid for six months.
Do you need your birth certificate to get married in Iowa? ›All three of you (the couple and the witness) must bring a valid government-issued photo I.D. or driver's license when submitting your completed application form. The intended couple do not need to bring their birth certificate or their social security card, but should know their social security number.
Is Cause of death Public Record in Iowa? ›The cause and manner of death is a matter of public record and can be released, unless release of such information will hinder or harm an ongoing criminal investigation [Iowa Code 22.7(41)].
When did Nebraska start keeping birth records? ›The state of Nebraska first started recording births and deaths in 1904. Birth certificates weren't issued in Nebraska until 1912.
When did Nebraska start recording births? ›Certificates for births started in 1912. Beginning in 1941, a person born in Nebraska before 1905 could ask to have their birth record put on file (delayed birth). For marriages before 1909, contact the county where the marriage license was filed or the Nebraska State Historical Society .
How do I find old obituaries in Nebraska? ›
The first obvious place to find the obituary of an ancestor is the archives of the local newspaper in the town or city where they lived and died. Local newspapers are the ones that tend to publish more obituaries than big, nationwide titles, and this is something you should bear in mind when embarking on a search.
How much is a death certificate in Nebraska? ›By signing this document before a notary, both the mother and father agree who the child's father is. A completed Voluntary Acknowledgment form must be submitted to the Department of Health and Vital Statistics, so the father's name can be added to the child's birth certificate.
WHO issues death certificates in Nebraska? ›For available records of births and deaths after 1904, contact the Nebraska Health and Human Services, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 301 Centennial Mall South, First Floor, Lincoln, NE 68509, 402-471-2871 to obtain prices and procedures.