Getting Married in Phoenix: Is The Certified Copy Supposed To Look Like A Washed Out Photo-Copy? (fit in)

[jillianvasquez]

We recently got married in phoenix, and I was wondering if this was normal. We just received the "copy" in the mail. We were expecting something a little more...official to say the least. Possibly in a manilla envelope, on official paper, with a golden raised seal... But instead, it looks like a photocopy (a bad one at that) on plain a4 paper, complete with faded ink, and was folded and creased to fit in a standard sized envelope. The only thing reassuring about it is that it has a bar code, and a (barely visible) raised seal, but I'm still afraid that it might not be taken seriously for official purposes. (especially by another state's, or even another country's government)

I've ordered official copies of birth certificates from the state, and they always came looking just like the original and in perfect condition. I was wondering if this was normal for certified copies of phoenix marriage certificates? I've never seen a copy of a marriage certificate like this from any other state, though I haven't seen many in general. I suppose most of the uses for the certificate don't need it to look pretty, but I still feel worried that something went wrong at the clerks office and they sent us the wrong thing, so I just wanted to see if anyone else here has had any kind of experience with the Clerks Office and Marriage Certificates.

[ScottsdaleMark]

If I recall correctly, my marriage license was on nice sepia paper with a seal and, you know, fancy looking. But, that was the original that they gave us in the clerk's office and that the judge and witnesses and us signed. (Here is a photo of someone's marriage license that looks like what I had: LINK). However, the copy might well just be a photocopy that they made of whatever they have in their record. The key question might be to ask who has the original, nice-looking form. Do you have that too? Or maybe the pastor or the wedding venue kept it if they handled all the arrangements?

I can also say, when I got a certified copy of a birth certificate a year or two ago, yeah, it's basically a color laser printer printout and then they impress a textured impression (seal I guess although not a sticker) to show it's certified. I think this is not that abnormal. I know my birth certificate from way back in a different state basically looked like someone used a typewriter on a black and white formatted piece of paper. I thought, is anyone going to take this seriously? But I've never had a problem with it. So I do think it is common.

Hope this helps!

[motormaker]

Gonna take a stab at this. The only company that made the paper for marriage, birth and death certificates closed down forcing a cut back in how (cities/counties) many certs would be issued or maybe printing them on a different type paper.

Some places are hoarding what supply of paper they have left.

ConsumerWatch: Paper Shortage Limits Distribution of Official Documents

[MAtheBanker]

Yes, the certified copy is a cheap looking copy with a seal. We got married 2 months ago and went to the court office right after the ceremony to get the certified copy and it still looked cheap and photocopied. So no worries

If you message me and give me your email, I can send you a copy of mine (with the important stuff blurred out) so you can compare.

[Minntoaz]

Mine was so nice when I moved back to Minnesota they were all in awe at the MVD and asked if it was real? They said it was the nicest one they'd ever seen. It was on manilla paper, with gold outlining and a golden seal with calligraphy type typing. It made me feel really official and special to be married.