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Marriage records appear in civil registers, church records, licenses, and newspaper announcements. These records often contain specialized terminology describing legal permissions, ceremonial roles, and documentation of the marriage process.
| Term | Definition |
| Affidavit | Sworn statement supporting marriage application. |
| Allegation | Formal declaration of intent to marry (often in church records). |
| Annulment | Legal declaration that a marriage was invalid. |
| Banns | Public announcement of intended marriage in church. |
| Best Man | Principal male attendant to the groom. |
| Bride | Woman being married. |
| Bride’s Father | Parent traditionally giving consent for marriage. |
| Bride’s Residence | Location where bride lived at time of marriage. |
| Bridesmaid | Female attendant to the bride. |
| Certificate of Marriage | Document confirming marriage ceremony. |
| Church Marriage Register | Book recording marriages performed by clergy. |
| Civil Marriage | Marriage performed by government authority. |
| Clergyman | Minister performing the ceremony. |
| Cohabitation | Living together as husband and wife. |
| Consent | Legal permission required for minors to marry. |
| Contract Marriage | Formal agreement between parties. |
| County Clerk | Official responsible for marriage records. |
| Dowry | Property or money brought to marriage by bride. |
| Engagement | Agreement to marry. |
| Groom | Man being married. |
| Groom’s Residence | Location where groom lived at time of marriage. |
| License | Legal authorization to marry. |
| Marriage Application | Request submitted before license issuance. |
| Marriage Bond | Financial guarantee that marriage was lawful. |
| Marriage Certificate | Document issued after ceremony confirming marriage. |
| Marriage License | Official permission to marry. |
| Marriage Register | Book recording marriages within jurisdiction. |
| Marriage Return | Report filed by officiant confirming ceremony. |
| Matrimony | Legal union of spouses. |
| Minister | Clergy member performing ceremony. |
| Officiant | Person legally authorized to conduct marriage. |
| Parish Register | Church record book containing marriage entries. |
| Proxy Marriage | Marriage performed with one party absent. |
| Publication | Public notice of intended marriage. |
| Rector | Clergyman responsible for parish. |
| Solemnization | Formal performance of marriage ceremony. |
| Spouse | Married partner. |
| Surety | Person guaranteeing marriage bond. |
| Union | Marriage relationship. |
| Witness | Individual observing ceremony. |
| Widow | Woman whose spouse has died. |
| Widower | Man whose spouse has died. |
| Witnesses | Individuals signing marriage record. |
| Marriage Intent | Notice of planned marriage filed with authorities. |
| Marriage Entry | Recorded listing in marriage register. |
| Nuptials | Wedding ceremony. |
| Parish Clerk | Church official maintaining records. |
| Marriage Notice | Newspaper announcement of marriage. |
If you’d like this information in a clean, printable, and well-organized reference format, this topic is also included in the Quicksheet Vault. The Vault is designed for researchers who prefer working tools they can save, print, and reuse—whether that means building a personal binder of key resources or keeping reliable references close at hand. You can learn more about the Quicksheet Vault HERE