The department issues certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates for events that occurred in Idaho.
Overview
For a marriage certificate, the officiant will give you an original copy of the license/marriage certificate, and file another original copy with the county. You must order and pay for a certified copy of a filed certificate.
A divorce certificate is a document that shows that a divorce occurred but does not state all the same information as a divorce decree, which is an official document from the court that grants the termination of a marriage.
The department issues certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates filed from May 1947 to the present. If you need a copy of a divorce decree, contact the county where the divorce was granted. In Idaho, marriage and divorce certificates are legally confidential for 50 years.
Beginning May 7, 2025, a Star Card, U.S. Passport, military identification, or another form of federally accepted ID will be required to board a flight or enter a federal building.
A birth or marriage certificate is one of the documents you may need to get a Star Card or a U.S. Passport. Order certificates today to avoid significant wait times due to large volumes of requests. Information on how to order certificates is below, and more information is available through the Idaho Department of Transportation on the documents required to Obtain a Star Card.
Need Records from Another State?
If you are looking for marriage or divorce records from outside Idaho, visit the National Center for Health for information on how to obtain them. National Center for Health Statistics.
Planning to be married in a foreign country?
If you plan to be married in a foreign country, you may be asked to obtain a letter from the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics confirming that a diligent search of Idaho’s marriage and divorce records that have been filed since May 1947 has been completed. Some agencies refer to this letter as a Certificate of Non‑Impediment or a Single Status Letter.
To request this search, use the Certification of Marriage and Divorce Records Search form, which allows you to obtain verification of any marriages or divorces that have been filed with the state of Idaho.
Who can officiate a marriage in Idaho?
Idaho law determines who can officiate (solemnize) a marriage in the state of Idaho under Idaho code 32-303. The information provided in the document link below is provided on our website as a courtesy. We cannot give legal advice or additional guidance regarding choosing a marriage officiant.