California Marriage License Information, Laws, Requirements
In most circumstances you may apply for a marriage license at any CA county clerk office where you plan to be married. These offices are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the procedures you must follow to obtain your license.
Cost of License
What is the cost of a marriage license?
The marriage license fee is $50.00 to $80.00 dollars. Accepted forms of payment are cash.
Residency Requirements
What are the residency requirements for California?
None. You do not have to be a previous or current resident of California to obtain a marriage license that is valid statewide.
Waiting Period
Is there a waiting period from the application date to the date the license is issued?
No, you will receive your license immediately.
Is there a waiting period from the date the license is issued to the date I am allowed to marry?
No, you can marry immediately after receiving your license.
Age Requirement
What is the minimum age a man or woman may marry?
You must be 18 years old or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.
What if one or both of us is younger than 18?
If either partner is under 18, one parent or legal guardian must be present. If a parent can not be present, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, proper evidence must be presented for verification. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. The couple must schedule an appointment with a counselor and then appear before a superior court judge.
Blood Tests and Physical Exams
Are blood tests and physical exams required?
No blood test or physical exam is required.
License Expires
How long does a marriage license remain valid once it's been issued?
Your license will expire 90 days from the date it is issued.
Divorced and Widowed Applicants
What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die?
If previously married, the date of divorce or date of spouse's death must be provided. If the divorce or spouse's death had taken place within the last 90 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. A copy of your divorce records or spouse's death certificate can be ordered online.
How Do I Legally Change My Name?
What's the process of legally changing my last name after marriage?
Following your wedding ceremony, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This certificate will serve as evidence of your marriage, which you'll need when you begin the process of notifying several government agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc).
We have created a legal name change kit that you can use and complete before or after your marriage takes place. Completing all the necessary name change documentation prior to your wedding can be considerably convenient.
Miscellaneous Questions
Are proxy marriages legal?
Yes, marriage by proxy is allowed. Bill SB 7 was sponsored by Republican Sen. Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga and Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, D-San Francisco and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 10, 2004.
Are cousin marriages legal?
Yes, cousin marriages are allowed.
Are common law marriages legal?
No, common-law marriages are not allowed.
Are same sex marriages legal?
No, same-sex marriages are not allowed.
County Clerk Address and Phone Number List
Alameda County Recorder1106 Madison St
Oakland, CA 94607
510-444-1396
Map Alpine County Recorder
P.O. Box 266
Markleeville, CA 96120
530-694-2281
Map Amador County Recorder
108 Court St
Jackson, Ca, CA 95642
209-223-6469
Map Butte County Recorder
25 County Center Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
530-538-7691
Map Calaveras County Recorder
Government Center
San Andreas, CA 95249
209-754-6375
Map Colusa County Recorder
546 Jay St
Colusa, CA 95932
530-458-0500
Map Contra Costa
County Recorder
P.O. Box 350
Martinez, CA 94553
925-646-2360
Map Del Norte County Recorder
457 F St
Crescent City, CA 95531
707-464-7216
Map El Dorado County Recorder
360 Fair Lane
Placerville, CA 95667
530-621-5490
Map Fresno County Clerk
2221 Kern St
Fresno, CA 93721
559-488-3003
Map Glenn County Clerk
P.O. Box 391
Willows, CA 95988
530-934-6407
Map Humboldt County Recorder
825 5th St
Eureka, CA 95501
707-445-7593
Map Imperial County Recorder
P.O. Box 1560
El Centro, CA 92243
760-339-4427
Map Inyo County Records
P.O. Box F
Independence, CA 93526
760-878-0410
Map Kern County Clerk
1655 Chester Ave
Bakersfield, CA 93301
805-868-3588
Map Kings County Clerk
1400 West Lacey Blvd.
Hanford, CA 93230
559-582-3211
Map Lake County Clerk
255 North Forbes St
Lakeport, CA 95453
707-263-2293
Map Lassen County Recorder
220 South Lassen St
Susanville, CA 96130
530-251-8217
Map Los Angeles County Registrar
Records/County Clerk
12400 East Imperial Hwy
2nd Floor, Room 2207
Norwalk, CA 90650
562-462-2137
Map Madera County Clerk
209 West Yosemite Ave
Madera, CA 93637
209-675-7724
Map Marin County Recorder
Civic Center, Room 290
San Rafael, CA 94903
415-499-6092
Map Mariposa County Recorder
P.O. Box 35
Mariposa, CA 95338
209-966-2007
Map Mendocino County Clerk
P.O. Box 148
Ukiah, CA 95482
707-463-4370
Map Merced County Recorder
Administration Building
2222 "M" St
Merced, CA 95340
209-385-7501
Map Modoc County Clerk
204 Court St, Suite 107
Alturas, CA 96101
530-233-2512
Map Mono County Recorder
P.O. Box 537
Bridgeport, CA 93517
760-932-5241
Map Monterey County
240 Church St,Rm 305
Salinas, CA 93901
831-647-7906
Map Napa County Clerk
P.O. Box 298
Napa, CA 94559
707-253-4246
Map Nevada County Clerk
950 Maidu Ave
Nevada City, CA 95959
530-265-1221
Map Orange County Recorder
County Recorder
P.O. Box 238
Santa Ana, CA 92702
714-834-2500
Map Placer County Clerk
11960 Heritage Oaks Place, #15
Auborn, CA 95604
530-889-7948
Map Plumas County Recorder
P.O. Box 10706
Quincy, CA 95971
530-283-6305
Map Riverside County Clerk
2724 Gateway Drive
Riverside, CA 92502
909-486-7000
Map Sacramento County Clerk
P.O. Box 839
Sacramento, CA 95812
916-874-5522
Map San Benito County Clerk
440 5th St, Room 206
Hollister, CA 95023
831-636-4029
Map San Bernardino County Recorder
Hall Of Records
222 West Hospitality Lane
San Bernardino, CA 92415
909-387-8314
Map San Diego County
Marriage Licenses
P.O. Box 121750
San Diego, CA 92112
619-237-0502
Map San Francisco County Recorders
City Hall, #167
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-554-4176
Map San Joaquin
County Clerk
P.O. Box 1968
Stockton, CA 95201
209-468-2362
Map San Luis Obispo County
Recording Dept
City Government Center
Room 102
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
805-781-5088
Map San Mateo County Clerk
401 Marshall St, 6th Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063
650-363-4711
Map Santa Barbara County Clerk
P.O. Box 159
Santa Barbara, CA 93102
805-568-2250
Map Santa Clara County Recorder
70 West Hedding
San Jose, CA 95110
408-299-2481
Map Santa Cruz County Recorder
701 Ocean St, Rm 230
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-454-2800
Map Shasta County
Marriage License
Courthouse, Suite 102
Redding, CA 96001
530-225-5378
Map Sierra County Recorder
Courthouse Square
P.O. Box D
Downieville, CA 95936
530-289-3295
Map Siskiyou County Clerk
P.O. Box 8
Ureka, CA 96097
916-842-8084
Map Solano County Recorder
580 Texas St
Fairfield, CA 94533
707-421-6319
Map Sonoma County Clerk
P.O. Box 6124
Santa Rosa, CA 95406
707-527-3800
Map Stanislaus County
Clerk-Recorder
912 11th St
Modesto, CA 95354
209- 525-5265
Map Sutter County Recorder
Hall Of Records
466 2nd St
Yuba City, CA 95991
530-822-7120
Map Tehama County Recorder
633 Washington
Red Bluff, CA 96080
916-527-3350
Map Trinity County Recorder
101 Court St
Weaverville, CA 96093
916-623-1222
Map Tulare County
Marriage License
County Civic Center, Room 203
Visalia, CA 93291
559-733-6518
Map Tuolumne County Clerk
2 South Green St
Sonora, CA 95370
209-533-5570
Map Ventura County Recorder Office
Lower Plaza, Admin Bldg L#1210
800 South Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93009
805-654-2263
Map Yolo County Clerk
P.O. Box 1820
Woodland, CA 95695
530-666-8130
Map Yuba County
Marriage License
215 5th 4
Marysville, CA 95901
530-741-6341
Map