The Cultural Significance of Marriage Certificates

As you know, weddings are about much more than exchanging vows. An official marriage typically involves a ceremony, reception, and legal documents confirming a couple’s decision to wed. One of these documents is a marriage certificate.

Marriage certificates are culturally significant to a considerable portion of the world’s culture. But what makes these documents such important pieces of paper from a cultural perspective? You’re about to learn the cultural history of marriage certificates, what they signify for people, and more.

A Brief History of How Marriage Certificates Impacted Historical Culture

Cultures throughout history have celebrated and recorded marriages for centuries. That said, weddings from several hundred years ago didn’t record marriages the exact way people now document them. In ancient times, marriages existed but were social contracts instead of something requiring elaborate planning and ceremony.

In the United States, historians trace this marriage-confirming piece of paper back to Massachusetts in 1639. However, the Marriage Act of 1753 changed the act of marriage forever. This act required officials to record the marriage and perform a formal wedding ceremony. Thus, these new laws served as the foundation for modern weddings.

Throughout the past several hundred years, marriage certificates and official wedding ceremonies have remained vital steps toward legally marrying another person.

A Part of Someone’s Identity & Status

Understandably, most people don’t base their identity solely on being married. However, it’s fair to say that tying the knot is an aspiration for a considerable percentage of adults. Because of that, getting married can mean completing a major life goal.

Some may seek marriage because their parents were married. Others aspire to marry to express their devotion to another person. Additionally, other people view marriage as the foundation of starting a family with someone else.

In the United States, a marriage certificate is only a small part of marrying. A marriage also becomes a status-related event through its ceremony and reception. These gatherings celebrate a couple’s newly married status as major cultural celebration.

Culturally Defining Family Structures

Marriage isn’t a requirement to begin or continue growing a family. And a growing percentage of adults are perfectly fine starting families with others they’re not married to. However, those who do can use a marriage certificate to establish their position in their current or new family.

A marriage certificate is also helpful documentation for future generations researching who made up their respective family trees.

From a legal perspective, marriage certificates can help establish records of a person’s legal parents. Someone may also need to present a marriage certificate or certified copy to receive government or work-related benefits. A marriage certificate also serves as proof of a legal union for tax-related purposes.

The Cultural Significance for a Newly Married Couple

A marriage certificate also has immense cultural importance for newlyweds. It serves as a way to document a couple’s wedding day. This document typically requires signatures from the wedding participants and the officiator, serving to show that others attended this celebration of a couple’s love.

Some couples utilize their marriage certificate as a trophy or award, proudly displaying this document or a copy for themselves and their guests to see. Much more than paper, marriage certificates are tangible and physical ways for a couple to show their devotion to one another and commemorate it forever.

Certificate-Related Language and Symbolism

You can also see the timeless cultural significance of a marriage certificate reflected in this document. The vast majority of countries, counties, and other localities place official emblems or stamps on these certificates. Some of these pieces of paper may also include religious symbolism. 

Marriage certificates also include formal language, some of which can seem archaic. These words add to the historical significance and continuity of this document. Also, the insertion of formal language adds to the ceremonial and important feel of a wedding.

Moving Toward Equality in Various Cultures

Not everyone has always felt included regarding their ability to obtain a marriage certificate, such as LGBTQ couples. However, many countries, including the United States, now allow same-sex couples to wed. The path to legalize same-sex marriages was something people fought for for decades. Thus, being able to legally marry is now a celebrated cultural event in same-sex cultures.

While modern marriage certificates are moving toward complete equality, not everyone supports these documents. Some have even called for the abolishment of marriage certificates. However, as of this writing, it doesn’t appear that countries or states will do away with these pieces of paper anytime soon.

More Than a Document

Marriage certificates are far more than pieces of paper. These documents also serve as a critical cornerstone of many cultures. Each certificate is unique. They’re also used to mark the incredible milestone of a couple deciding to wed. However, this piece of paper isn’t the only way couples officially recognize their love.