How to Find Idaho Marriage Records
Finding Idaho Marriage Records[edit | edit source]
- Idaho statewide registration of marriages began in 1911.
- Marriage records from 1947 to the present year are filed at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
- Marriages before 1911 are filed with the county where the event occurred. Use an index below to obtain the county of the marriage.
- Idaho marriage records are held confidential for 50 years and are restricted.
- Anyone can obtain a certificate 50 years and older.
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More marriage information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register. Less information is found on the marriage certificate. |
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source] |
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Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records
Marriages Before 1911[edit | edit source]
Before 1911, when state wide registration began, very few marriage records were recorded but some do exist. The content varies by county.
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.
| 1. Look first in | 2. Then search |
| Church Records |
Census Records |
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information[edit | edit source]
| Idaho Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try: | ||||
| Idaho, County Marriages, 1864-1950 |
Free; Name index with images online at FamilySearch Does not include Bannock County | |||
| United States Marriages, 1800-1987 |
($) Name index with images online at Findmypast | |||
| Idaho, County Marriages, 1863-1967 - use your Ancestry subscription | ($), To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
| Idaho Marriages Database - Includes Index Only | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| Idaho Marriages, 1878-1898;1903-1942 | Free; Name index only online at FamilySearch | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| Western States Marriage Index | Free; Name index only online at BYU Idaho Special Collections | |||
| Also Try: | ||||
| Ancestry Database - Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1842-1996 Idaho Marriage Index - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries |
Free; at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1842-1996 Idaho Marriage Index - use your Ancestry subscription | ($), To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho Genealogy served eloping couples from Idaho, and Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana. In Coeur d'Alene, there was no paper work or waiting period between the time of issuing a license and the performance of the marriage. Some Idaho couples may have run away to West Wendover, Elko County, Nevada Genealogy. | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
Idaho death certificates can be obtained from the county where the event occurred. There are no restrictions, anyone can obtain a marriage record over 50 years old.
Visit Idaho Counties for contact and ording information.
|
When ordering Idaho marriage records: Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information. |
Marriages 1911 to 1947[edit | edit source]
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information[edit | edit source]
| Idaho Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| Idaho, County Marriages, 1864-1950 |
Free; Name index with images online at FamilySearch Does not include Bannock County | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| United States Marriages, 1800-1987 |
($); Name index with images online at Findmypast
| |||
| Idaho Marriages Database - Includes Index Only | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| Idaho Marriages, 1878-1898;1903-1942 | Free; Name index only online at FamilySearch | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| Western States Marriage Index | Free; Name index only online at BYU Idaho Special Collections | |||
| Also Try: | ||||
| Ancestry Database - Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1842-1996 Idaho Marriage Index - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1842-1996 Idaho Marriage Index - use your Ancestry subscription | ($), To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho Genealogy served eloping couples from Idaho, and Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana. In Coeur d'Alene, there was no paper work or waiting period between the time of issuing a license and the performance of the marriage. Some Idaho couples may have run away to West Wendover, Elko County, Nevada Genealogy. | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
Idaho marriage certificates after 1911 are on file at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
There are no restrictions, anyone can obtain records 50 years and older.
|
When ordering Idaho marriage records: Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information. |
Marriages 1947 to Present[edit | edit source]
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information[edit | edit source]
| Idaho Marriage Database - Includes Index and Some Images | ||||
| United States Marriages, 1800-1987 |
($); At Findmypast | |||
| Idaho Marriage Database - Includes Index Only | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| Idaho, County Marriages, 1864-1950 |
Free; Name index with images online at FamilySearch Does not include Bannock County | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| Idaho Marriage Index, 1947-1961 | Free; Name index only online at FamilySearch | |||
| Try 3rd: | ||||
| Western States Marriage Index | Free; Name index only online at BYU Idaho Special Collections | |||
| Also Try: | ||||
| Ancestry Database - Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1842-1996 Idaho Marriage Index - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free; at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1842-1996 Idaho Marriage Index - use your Ancestry subscription | ($); To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho Genealogy served eloping couples from Idaho, and Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana. In Coeur d'Alene, there was no paper work or waiting period between the time of issuing a license and the performance of the marriage. Some Idaho couples may have run away to West Wendover, Elko County, Nevada Genealogy. | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
Idaho marriage certificates after 1911 are on file at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
|
When ordering Idaho marriage records: Ask for the marriage license or the marriage register, not the marriage certificate. The license or register usually contains more information. |
Who Can Obtain Records
For records 50 years and older there are no restrictions.
For records within the last 50 years you must be:
- Immediate family members including: spouse, sibling, parent, child, grandparent and grandchild (step-relatives, in-laws, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. are not immediate family as defined by Idaho Statute).
- Legal representative of immediate family member.
- Those who provide documentation showing it is needed for their property right.
- Proof of relation/legal representation may be required.
Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
- Learn more about U.S. marriage records
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- How to find U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. death records
- United States Record Finder
- United States, How to Use Marriage Records
- United States Marriage Records
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