Checking your marital status is the process of determining your legal marital status, which can be single, married, divorced, widowed, or legally separated. Knowing your marital status is important for a variety of reasons, including:
- To ensure that you are eligible for certain legal benefits and protections, such as Social Security survivor benefits or health insurance coverage through a spouse’s employer.
- To avoid legal complications, such as unknowingly entering into a bigamous marriage (being legally married to more than one person at the same time).
- To provide accurate information on legal documents, such as tax returns or wills.
There are a few different ways to check your marital status. One way is to contact your local vital records office and request a copy of your marriage license or divorce decree. You can also check your marital status online through a variety of websites, such as the website of your state’s vital records office or a private genealogy website.In the United States, marital status is a matter of public record, so anyone can access this information by requesting it from the appropriate government agency. However, there are some states that have laws that restrict access to marital records, such as California, which requires a court order to obtain a copy of a marriage license or divorce decree.Knowing your marital status is important for a variety of legal and personal reasons. If you are unsure of your marital status, it is advisable to contact your local vital records office or a private genealogy website to obtain a copy of your marriage license or divorce decree.
