{"data":{"id":"us/20-cfr-219.31","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"20 CFR 219.31","heading":"Evidence of a valid ceremonial marriage.","body":"(a) Preferred evidence. Preferred evidence of a ceremonial marriage is—\n(1) A copy of the public record of the marriage, certified by the custodian of the record or by a Board employee;\n(2) A copy of a church record of the marriage certified by the custodian of the record or by a Board employee; or\n(3) The original certificate of marriage.\n(b) Other evidence of a ceremonial marriage. If preferred evidence of a ceremonial marriage cannot be obtained, the applicant must state the reason therefor in writing and submit either—\n(1) A sworn statement of the clergyman or official who performed the marriage ceremony; or\n(2) Other convincing evidence, such as the sworn statements of at least two persons who have direct knowledge of the marriage, preferably eyewitnesses to the marriage ceremony.","path":["Title 20—Employees' Benefits","CHAPTER II—RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD","SUBCHAPTER B—REGULATIONS UNDER THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACT","PART 219—EVIDENCE REQUIRED FOR PAYMENT","Subpart C—Evidence of Relationship"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-20.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:24:45Z","sha256":"57bcf7c3aa4e36ec334eb3b8d8654ec41794465f1b81aa267cfa990179922812","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/20-cfr-219.30","next":"us/20-cfr-219.32"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}