State marriage records are the top ranked public records that are extensively researched by a lot of people. There are many reasons why people search for them. These records also serve various official and legal purposes. For example, one major reason for searching state marriage records is to verify people's marital history. They are also used to substantiate a name change by a new wife. Additionally, these records are recognized documents to support medical and insurance benefits, social security matters, joint tax returns, adoption, immigration and many more. Certified copies of state marriage records are acceptable as proof of identity and status when claiming privileges, rights, marital assets, inheritance and even royalty.

At a basic level, the information contained in state marriage records includes the particulars of the couple, their parents, witnesses and the conducting official of the ceremony and when and where it took place. Where there were multiple marriages, records of all of them will be produced as long as they were transpired within the state for which the search is conducted. Information from other related categories of public records are often included in the search results of marriage record certifications.

State marriage records are now a prerequisite when applying for a marriage license. This is to ascertain the eligibility of both the prospective bride and groom. It is partly for this reason that marriage record searches have really caught on in recent years. Whatever actual intent or purpose it's aimed at, it has proven to be a very handy matrimonial due diligence. After all, deceitful marriages invariably lead to divorce.

Without exception, state marriage records come under the jurisdiction of the state. Because of this, there are variations from state to state in accordance to the differences in the individual state laws governing marriage. However, state marriage records are typically maintained or archived at state repositories and county offices and courthouses. Many commercial information providers maintain huge databases of marriage records of all the states. In this way, they become very convenient for people searching the marriage records of people who have resided in multiple states.

There are basically two versions of public marriage records - paid or free. They are normally retrievable both on and offline. Not surprisingly, the online option is much more widely employed. Also, the paid version is by far in greater demand than the free one because in all practicality, they provide the professional standards that are inevitably required in official or legal circumstances and eventually so even for private and personal pursuits.

Commercial record providers are found in abundance on the internet. Log onto any of the major search engines and you will be spoilt for choice. The industry is immensely competitive so the leading players especially are notably of very high quality and caliber. There are also several review sites to point the way. They evaluate and rate the prominent record providers in the market accompanied by the data of their findings. Their recommendations are usually spot-on and it pays to go with them if you are unable to conduct your own assessment.