A marriage certificate is an official document that legally recognizes the union between two individuals. It is typically issued by a government authority after a marriage ceremony has taken place. This certificate includes important details such as the names of the couple, the date of the marriage, and the location where the ceremony occurred. Marriage certificates serve various purposes, including legal identification of the marriage for matters like taxation, inheritance, and immigration. They may also be required for name changes or when applying for certain benefits. In many places, obtaining a copy of the marriage certificate can be done through the relevant government office or vital records department.