Kansas Marriage Records

Kansas began maintaining centralized, state-wide marriage records on May 1, 1913. Before this, counties across Kansas managed records of weddings occurring within their jurisdictions. Recent data shows that Kansas has a marriage rate of 5.3 marriages per 1,000 people, which is over 14% below the national average of 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people.

Kansas marriage records are all the documents that provide legal proof that two people were joined together in marriage. Kansas marriage records consist of the following documents:

• Marriage Licenses: A marriage license is a document issued by the county clerk of courts granting couples permission to marry. A marriage license is a pre-marriage document that contains information about the couple, including their full names, addresses, genders, ages, and the names they intend to use after getting married. Marriage licenses also contain the issue date, license number, and the license expiry date.
• Marriage Certificates: A marriage certificate is a post-marriage document. Marriage certificates serve as official proof that a couple has been legally joined together in marriage. Marriage certificates are created after the officiant signs and returns the marriage license to the county clerk's office. The county clerk records and files the document, generating the marriage certificate. Marriage certificates typically contain the couple's full names, place of marriage, witness signature, officiant's information and signature, certificate number, and the official seal of the issuing office.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Kansas?

You can look up marriage records from the following sources in Kansas:

• The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Vital Statistics provides access to marriage certificates from May 1, 1913, to date.
• All marriage licenses are accessible at the county clerk's office where the license was issued.

You may order marriage certificates from the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics by mail, online, or in person. Online access to Kansas marriage certificates is through an approved third-party service provider. To order marriage certificates by mail or in person at the Office of Vital Statistics, download and complete the Application for Certified Copy of Kansas Marriage Certificate form. Mail or drop off the request at:

All marriage licenses in Kansas are maintained at the specific District Court where the license was issued. These local records are public documents and may be inspected by anyone, but cannot be issued as certified copies.

All requests for marriage certificates in Kansas may include the following information and documentation:

• The full names of both couples
• The exact date of marriage
• A self-addressed stamped envelope, if ordering the certificate by mail
• A valid government-issued photo ID
• A check or money order for the fees

Are Marriage Records Public in Kansas?

Marriage licenses and basic marriage details filed at the county District Courts are generally considered public records. Anyone can view details, such as the names of spouses, marriage dates, and officiant's information, through the county courts' online portal. However, certified copies of marriage certificates issued by the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics are restricted to eligible parties, including spouses, immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a direct interest in the document.

How Much Do Kansas Marriage Records Cost?

It costs $20 to order a certified copy of a marriage certificate from the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics. Online requests for marriage certificates attract an additional $13.95 for expedited processing. There is no expedited processing for mail requests.

It takes the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics 7-10 business days to process mail requests for marriage certificates. Online requests for marriage certificates are typically processed within 3 to 5 business days. Walk-in requesters may get the marriage certificate within 20 minutes of ordering the document, provided the Office of Vital Statistics does not face difficulty locating the document.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Kansas?

Kansas does not provide an option for confidential marriage licenses, which would restrict everyone's access to the marriage certificate except the couple. All marriage licenses issued in the state are considered public records once filed.

While Kansas marriage records are public, individuals may petition the court to seal their marriage records under specific circumstances. The decision to seal the record is usually at the discretion of the court and typically requires a compelling reason, such as concern for personal safety or privacy. Generally, sealing marriage records is not guaranteed in Kansas and is usually evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Kansas Marriage Records?

Verifying the authenticity of your Kansas marriage record is crucial for personal, financial, legal, and administrative reasons. Generally, individuals may need to verify the legitimacy of their marriage records when applying for visas, filing taxes, enrolling in insurance, claiming inheritance, accessing Social Security Benefits, changing legal names, and filing for divorce.

You may verify the authenticity of your marriage records in Kansas at the Office of Vital Statistics and the county District Court Clerk's office where the marriage license was issued. Generally, authenticated marriage certificates contain security features to prevent forgery of the document. Typically, it includes a raised state seal, a unique certificate number, and the signature of the issuing authority. Certified marriage records are typically printed on security-enhanced, watermarked paper to prevent duplication.

Can I Find Kansas Marriage Records Online for Free?

While certified copies of marriage records usually require fees, several non-governmental platforms offer free access to basic or historical marriage information.

FamilySearch.org is a free genealogy platform that hosts digitized Kansas marriage records, primarily documents from before 1913. Its indexed records contain a searchable database with details like spouse names, marriage dates, and counties. The platform also provides a repository of scanned marriage licenses and certificates obtained from the county's archives.

Ancestry.com basically requires a subscription, but offers free access to basic marriage indexes, including Kansas marriage records, with names, marriage dates, and counties from 1840-1933, and marriage licenses obtained from counties from 1855-1912.

Websites like PublicRecords.us compile data from various public sources to provide a vast repository of public records, including Kansas marriage records. Free searches on the platform can reveal spouses' names, marriage dates, and the county of marriage.

What Is Required to Get a Kansas Marriage License?

Couples intending to get married in Kansas must meet specific criteria set by the state and submit proper documentation to procure the license. These typically include:

• Both parties must be 18 years or older. Persons aged 16-17 years require consent from parents, legal guardians, or a judge if parents are deceased.
• An email address
• Details of the following from both applicants:
• Full names, date of birth, gender, place of birth, ethnicity, and race
• Social Security number
• Parents' names and birthplaces
• Previous marriage details or spouse's death
• Education level
• Phone number
• Name change request, if changing name after marriage
• A credit or debit card, or an electronic check, to pay the fees

Applying for marriage licenses in Kansas is through the Kansas Judicial Branch. It costs $85.50 to apply for marriage licenses in Kansas. After application, it takes about two weeks for the license to be ready for pickup at the county clerk's office. Once issued, the document is valid for 6 months. The couple may get married anytime within that period. If the 6 months lapse without a wedding, the couple may reapply for the license.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Kansas?

You may amend the following errors on your marriage license or certificate in Kansas:

• Typographical errors, including misspelled names, incorrect dates of birth, or addresses
• Incomplete or inaccurate parents' information, such as parents' names or places of birth
• Name change designation errors, such as failing to specify a desired new legal name during the license application
• Missing officiants' information or witness details

Amending the Kansas Marriage License

If you notice errors on your marriage license before the wedding, notify the District Court in the county where you obtained the license. To amend the document, both parties must appear at the county clerk's office and bring the original license containing the error. At the office, request a license correction form.

Fill out the form, stating the error and the accurate information. Depending on the county, you may need to provide documentation, such as a birth certificate or driver's license, to support the amendment request. Most counties treat an amended license as a new license requiring the full $85.50 license fee. The corrections are usually completed on the same day.

Amending the Kansas Marriage Certificate

All corrections to a Kansas marriage certificate are handled by the Amendment Unit of the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics. To amend your marriage certificate, download and complete the Amendment Request Form. Sign the form in before a notary public. For errors involving personal data, provide the original certified copy of the marriage certificate and a document such as a birth certificate supporting the correct information.

For event corrections, such as incorrect date or place of marriage, provide a notarized letter from both parties stating the amendment, plus either:

• A notarized letter from the officiant with the correct information
• A duplicate copy from the county showing the correct information
• If the officiant is deceased, an affidavit from a ceremony witness

There is a $20 fee to amend marriage certificates in Kansas. There is an additional $20 to obtain a certified copy of the corrected marriage certificate. You may submit the amendment request by email or mail.