Apply for a marriage license

What is a marriage license?

Your license permits you to be married anywhere in the state of California.  You and your future spouse must be present to apply for a license and must be:

• Single
• 18 years of age or older
• Both parties must be present with a valid photo government-issued ID.  No copies or digital images are allowed.

What do I need to apply for a marriage license?

To apply for a marriage license, you'll need to know:

1. Your legal name and your place and date of birth.
2. The name you’ll take when you marry (if you plan to change your name).
3. Your parents’ legal names and their places of birth (state or country).
4. The type of license you want:
   1. Standard
      1. Most couples apply for a Standard license. With a Standard license, your marriage becomes part of the public record, but your information is not published and cannot be searched online.
   2. Confidential
      1. A Confidential license does not become part of the public record. To apply for a Confidential license, you must already be living with your future spouse.
5. If divorced, you'll need to know the date of your divorce. If you divorced within the last 90 days, bring a copy of the judgment of divorce.

Get licensed 

Both parties must appear in person with a valid photo government-issued ID.  No copies or digital images are allowed.  No appointment is necessary for a marriage license.

You may either fill out the application online prior to visiting our office.

1. Once you arrive to our office:
   1. If application completed online, let staff know an application was already done. A service ticket will be issued to be called to a window.
   2. If no application completed, a staff member will direct you to one of our Clerk-Recorder’s public computers to fill out the application. After submission, staff will issue a service ticket to be called to a window.
2. At the Clerk's window, present valid personal identification (driver’s license, passport, permanent resident card).
   1. If you don't have valid id, you can provide two Credible Witnesses—friends or family members who have valid personal identification and can sign an affidavit verifying your identity. The fee for Credible Witnesses is $20.
3. Pay the license fee:
   1. Standard marriage license: $80.00
   2. Confidential marriage license: $83.00
       

Start your marriage license application

Get married 

When you get your license, you need to complete your marriage ceremony within 90 days in the state of California. If you aren’t married within the 90-day period, you’ll have to apply for another license.

You can be married by:

• Clergy
• Judge
• Clerk-Recorder's Office (marriage commissioner or vital-records clerk)
• Deputized relative or friend (one-day deputy commissioner)

The county has a dedicated wedding chapel you can rent for your marriage ceremony.

Return your signed marriage license to the Clerk-Recorder's Office within 10 business days of being married. When the Clerk-Recorder's Office receives and records the license, it becomes a marriage certificate.

You can usually purchase a copy of your marriage certificate ten business days after your marriage license is recorded by the Clerk-Recorder's Office.