[cborsa7]

I have a marriage certificate that was issued the day we were married, it's pretty and could be put in a frame.
This is what I am assuming we are talking about.
This is NOT the same as the marriage certificate, (or license, as it is called in my state and on some of the online order sites) that is issued through the state and certified. They are totally separate documents. The one issued through the state and certified, where you can get a copy online as well as your Birth certificate is what the home study and dossier requires. I pulled my home study list out and it was listed as Marriage License on mine as well and some of the vital records order sites call it this. I agree with your definition but I think it depends on your state for wording and can be confusing.