[jcm]

Our Home Study packet tells me that we need to have a copy of our marriage license...but we only have our marriage certificate.

My question is...is there really that much of a difference in the documents?

[cborsa7]

The marriage license comes certified from the state and I don't know that a home study agency would accept just the certificate you get when you get married. Also, I am assuming this is a domestic adoption, but, if this is an International adoption you will need the certified license sent with your dossier documents.

[DianeS]

This may depend on where you live, but mine are definately different.

The license says that A and B have a legal right to get married - they're not related to each other, and neither are currently married to others, (etc) and they applied for the right to marry on X date.

The certificate says that A and B are now legally married, and the marriage happened on Y date.

[Prettyboicris]

Originally Posted by DianeS

This may depend on where you live, but mine are definately different.

The license says that A and B have a legal right to get married - they're not related to each other, and neither are currently married to others, (etc) and they applied for the right to marry on X date.

The certificate says that A and B are now legally married, and the marriage happened on Y date.

This is how it is supposed to be. I think that there may have been an error on the document requestiog a marriage "license".

The definition of a marriage license is "a license authorizing two people to marry "

[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.

[jcm]

Thanks everyone!

My social worker actually called me today (on a holiday!), and I asked her if I could use the certificate. Nope.

Wouldn't you know, after all this, when I turned the certificate over, there was a little blurb on how to order a license. ****. Don't I feel like an idiot!

[DPline]

Please don't feel like an idiot. I can't tell you how many times in the years I have been here this exact same question has come up. It is a very valid question if you are not familier with all the paperwork needed.

Good luck!

[jcm]

Thanks Debbie!