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In depth
A marriage certificate is a vital record that certifies a marriage — the names of the bride and groom, the date and place of the marriage, and the officiant's information. It is required for CBD cases to establish the legitimacy of the descent line.
For CBD cases, marriage certificates are required for each couple in the citizenship chain. If a couple never married (or married after the child's birth), the case may require additional documentation (legitimation proceedings, court orders) to establish the descent line.
Marriage certificates are typically issued by the civil registry office of the place where the marriage occurred. Some countries (Italy, Spain) also require church marriage certificates (certificato di matrimonio religioso) for cases involving church marriages.
Related terms
A vital record is a government-recorded document that certifies a vital event — birth, marriage, divorce, or death — and is the primary evidence in CBD cases.
A long-form birth certificate is a detailed birth certificate that includes the child's and parents' full information, required for most CBD applications.
A divorce decree is a court order that dissolves a marriage, sometimes required for CBD cases involving remarriages in the citizenship chain.
A short-form birth certificate is a simplified birth certificate showing only the child's basic information, typically not accepted for CBD applications.
A certified copy is a copy of a document that has been verified as a true and accurate copy by the issuing authority, typically required for CBD applications.
A death certificate is a vital record that certifies a death, sometimes required for CBD cases to confirm that the ancestor is deceased.