A marriage license is a document kept as a public record and issued by the county clerk or similar. This allows two individuals to marry based on their eligibility for legal marriage in the county.
A marriage certificate is a certified vital record that proves the specific time and location of your wedding. The person who conducts the marriage signs this document. That verifies that he or she married you by local law, with witnesses, and with a marriage license. Your magistrate or priest is then responsible for registering your marriage with the local county clerk office, typically at the city or town hall.