I know this is a very odd question, but my sister-in-law, who has been divorced for 10-15 years is in need of proof she was once married for legal reasons. She and her husband were both in the Air Force in the 1990's and got married in Spain while stationed there. She has since lost her copy of the certificate and needs a replacement. Who on earth do you contact? Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C.? Does the Air Force retain a copy in their records, does any other Govt agency have a copy on file? She would have had to show something to the Social Security Administration to change her maiden name to married name I would think. Just trying to find the easiest route to obtaining a copy.

Here ya go!
https://wikiprocedure.com/inde...Marriage_Certificate

I’m assuming one member of the couple was a Spanish citizen...? If so, it depends on where they got married in Spain. This is a good starting point for State Department Citizen Services.

I recommend finding a Spanish lawyer to navigate the Spanish government’s vital records. This page has drop downs for English-speaking attorneys in the two primary consular districts.

If neither of them was a Spanish citizen, I highly doubt the Spanish government has retained any record of their marriage, if they even ever had a record. If both members were completely US citizens, they probably had a marriage certificate from one of US States of residency, so start with that state.

quote:

Originally posted by brywards:
I’m assuming one member of the couple was a Spanish citizen

From the original post: "She and her husband were both in the Air Force in the 1990's and got married in Spain while stationed there."

Was the marriage done under Spanish authority or by a US Air Force chaplain, possibly?

If they were both Air Force members might start here:

National Personnel Records Center, NARA
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138

Request records online,
https://www.archives.gov/veter...tary-service-records
or 
Telephone: 314-801-0800

Personnel records would be kept recording the marriage, if it occurred while they were on active duty. The Air Force is particular about whether service members are married to each other or not.

I know children born to military families, return to the IS on their mother's passport. Getting a copy requires contacting the state department.

However, I think Doc is correct. Get married, the military needs the birth certificate for pay, quarters etc. another option might be the Chaplins.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by brywards:
I’m assuming one member of the couple was a Spanish citizen

From the original post: "She and her husband were both in the Air Force in the 1990's and got married in Spain while stationed there."

Not all military members are US citizens Otherwise, there’s my second point above.

The Air Force may or may not have a copy of the marriage certificate in personnel records. Sometimes the certificate is merely verified by the CBPO/MPF when the system is updated, and a copy is not retained.

Both were/are U.S citizens. Apparently, it is the Air Force requesting the proof of marriage. However, I work for big Gov and can certainly attest to the left hand not knowing what the right is doing, so it may be plausible that they indeed have the record. I’ll pass the info along. Maybe she can get it straightened out.