Purchase a marriage certificate
The Clerk-Recorder's Office maintains marriage records from 1850 to the present day. A marriage certificate is on file in the county where the marriage license was issued.
If you’re getting married, you must first apply for a marriage license.
Proof of marriage
A marriage certificate verifies that you are legally married and may be required when you apply for spousal benefits for healthcare or social security.
How a marriage license becomes a marriage certificate
After the marriage ceremony, the completed marriage license must be returned to the Clerk-Recorder’s Office within 10 business days. The Office records the license and it then becomes a marriage certificate.
Typically you can purchase your marriage certificate ten business days after the license is received at the Clerk-Recorder's Office. Call the Office to check on the status of your certificate: (408) 299-5688.
Get a marriage certificate in three different ways
What you need to purchase a marriage certificate
You need to be authorized to purchase a marriage certificate. See Certified Authorized Copy.
You'll need to know the:
- married couple’s legal names
- date of marriage
- city where marriage license was issued (required for online purchase only)
Certified Authorized copy
A Certified Authorized Copy of your marriage certificate can be used as proof of marriage.
Standard marriage
To purchase a standard marriage certificate, you’ll need to be one of the people listed on the certificate or that person’s:
- parent
- child
- grandparent
- grandchild
- sibling
- spouse or domestic partner
- legal guardian
For official business, governmental agencies and legal representatives can request a copy of a Standard marriage certificate.
When you request a Certified Authorized Copy by mail or online, state your relationship to the person listed on the marriage certificate and sign that statement with a notary public present.
Confidential marriage
To purchase a Confidential Certified Authorized marriage certificate, you must be one of the people listed on the certificate or have a court order authorizing you to purchase the certificate. You must show valid identification for purchasing.
Certified informational copy
A Certified Informational copy of a marriage certificate is generally not accepted as proof of marriage.
Standard marriage
Anyone can request an informational copy of a Standard marriage certificate without a direct relationship to the person listed on the certificate.
On a Certified Informational copy, signatures are concealed and the words, “Informational, not a valid document to establish identity” are printed across the face of the certificate.
The request form for this type of certificate does not need to be notarized.
Learn about the differences between Standard and Confidential marriages.