Countywide

San Diego County officials are warning recently married couples to be wary of a firm selling copies of marriage licenses--easily obtained from the county for $9--at an inflated cost of $25.

The firm apparently scours public records to find couples who have just married, then mails the newlyweds an official-looking notice offering the $25 certificates.

After a couple sends in their money, the firm orders the marriage certificate from the county for $9--the price newlyweds could pay themselves at the county recorder’s office.

Annette Evans, chief deputy recorder, said the scam apparently is legal, but is costing newlyweds extra money for a document that’s easy to acquire from her office.

She urged couples interested in receiving a copy of their marriage certificate to go to the recorder’s office and avoid the extra cost. The county annually receives about 10,000 requests for certified copies of marriage certificates, many for military benefits.