It needed to fit two people.

Judge Weston was willing to speak with us about the narrow factual questions he could help identify, as an acquaintance rather than a judge presiding over my family.

He could read the names and dates on our certificate.

He could not authenticate an official marriage record merely by recognizing a seal or putting his initials on a copy.

We obtained the proper certified record through the issuing office.

June’s witness account was separate from that official confirmation.