Order a California (CA) Marriage Certificate Online

Need a certified copy of a California marriage certificate? Start your application online and request the right type of marriage certificate for your needs.

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Legal Disclaimer: US Birth Certificates is a privately owned website that is not affiliated with, not owned or operated by any government agency. US Birth Certificates is an independent preparer that provides vital records application preparation assistance services. If you are looking for blank forms, you can get them for free at the relevant state office.

  1. Apply for your Marriage Certificate Get your marriage certificate the easy way. Complete the online application in 5 minutes and avoid the crowds.

  2. Expert review and quick turnaround Receive a fully reviewed, error-free application along with all the documents required to mail it and claim your certificate.

  3. Get your Marriage Certificate Your marriage certificate will be delivered straight to your door once your application is submitted.

California Marriage Certificate Application

You can request a certified copy of a California marriage certificate online by completing a simple application form.

California marriage certificates may be needed for legal name changes, insurance benefits, immigration processes, Social Security updates, passport applications, or personal records.

When you apply through US Birth Certificates, our team reviews your application before it’s submitted so that common mistakes can be corrected in advance. Start your California marriage certificate application online today. Order Your Marriage Certificate

How to Get Your Marriage Certificate in California

To get an official copy of a California marriage certificate, you must file a request with the correct vital records office.

The California Department of Public Health – Vital Records (CDPH-VR) can issue certified copies of marriage certificates for marriages registered in California between 1905 and 1999 and 2008 and 2023.

For public marriages from 2000 through 2007, you must request the certificate from the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the marriage license was issued.

You’ll need to provide:

  • Full names of both people on the marriage certificate
  • Date of the marriage, if known
  • County where the marriage license was issued, if known
  • Your contact and mailing information
  • A valid form of ID
  • A notarized sworn statement if you request an authorized certified copy
  • Payment of the state processing fee

Mail applications should be shipped to:

California Department of Public Health

Vital Records – MS 5103

P.O. Box 997410

Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Types of California Marriage Certificates Available

California offers two main types of certified marriage certificate copies:

  • Authorized certified copies
  • Certified informational copies

An authorized certified copy can be used to establish identity. This is the type usually required for official purposes such as government benefits, name changes, or legal processes.

To receive an authorized copy, you must complete a notarized sworn statement. Requests without the required notarized sworn statement may be rejected as incomplete.

A certified informational copy cannot be used to establish identity. It’s marked: “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity.”

Who Can Order an Authorized Marriage Certificate in CA?

California limits who can receive an authorized certified copy of a marriage certificate. Only the following people can request an authorized copy:

  • Either of the people named on the marriage certificate
  • A parent, legal guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of a person named on the certificate
  • A person entitled to receive the record by court order
  • Government or law enforcement representatives conducting official business
  • Attorneys representing the registrant or the registrant’s estate

If you aren’t eligible for an authorized copy, you can request a certified informational copy. These types of records are open to anyone who wishes to request them.

Public and Confidential Marriage Records in California

California has both public and confidential marriage records.

Public California marriage certificates are available from CDPH-VR for marriages registered in 1905–1999 and 2008–2023. For public marriages from 2000 through 2007, you must request the certificate from the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the marriage license was issued.

Confidential marriage records are not maintained by CDPH-VR. They’re available only from the County Clerk’s Office in the county where the confidential marriage license was issued.

Confidential marriage certificates are generally available only to the two people named on the certificate, unless there is a court order.

Request a Marriage Certificate from a California County Office

For public marriages, the County Recorder is the local registrar. For confidential marriages, the County Clerk is the local registrar.h occurred with your completed application form, payment, valid ID, and notarized statement (if required).

California Marriage Certificate Cost

The current California marriage certificate application fee is $19 per copy, payable by check or money order to CDPH-Vital Records. Cash is not accepted by CDPH-VR for mail applications.

Some county offices may charge different local fees. If you request your certificate directly from a county, check the county’s current requirements before submitting your application.

California Marriage Certificate Processing Times

The average CDPH-VR processing time for certified copy requests is 5 to 7 weeks. Processing time begins when CDPH-VR receives the request. Mailing time is not included.

California does not list a separate rush or expedited mail service for marriage certificate copies through CDPH-VR. If you need a certificate sooner, you may need to contact the county office where the marriage was registered.

California Vital Records Offices

Here’s a list of California vital record offices that process copies of marriage certificates:

California Vital Records Offices
  • Alameda County Marriage Certificates

    1106 Madison Street, First Floor
    Oakland, CA 94607

  • Contra Costa County Marriage Certificates

    10 Douglas Drive, Ste #220
    Martinez, CA 94553

  • Los Angeles County Marriage Certificates

    12400 Imperial Highway
    Norwalk, CA 90650

  • Orange County Marriage Certificates

    200 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Suite 100-B
    Santa Ana, CA 927011

  • Riverside County Marriage Certificates

    2724 Gateway
    Dr., Riverside, CA 92507

  • Sacramento County Marriage Certificates

    ​600 8th Street
    Sacramento, CA 95814

  • San Bernardino County Marriage Certificates

    222 West Hospitality Lane
    San Bernardino, CA 92415

  • Santa Clara County Marriage Certificates

    70 West Hedding Street, East Wing, First Floor
    San Jose, CA 95110

  • Ventura County Marriage Certificates

    800 South Victoria Avenue,
    Ventura, CA 93009-1260

  • San Mateo County Marriage Certificates

    San Mateo County
    555 County Center, 1st floor
    Redwood City, CA 94063

  • Stockton Marriage Certificates

    San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk
    44 N San Joaquin St, 260,
    Stockton, CA 95202

  • Stanislaus County Clerk Marriage Certificates

    1021 I St Suite 101,
    Modesto, CA 95354

  • Tulare County Clerk Marriage Certificates

    Tulare County Recorder
    221 South Mooney, Room 105
    Visalia, CA 93291

  • Santa Barbara County Marriage Certificates

    1100 Anacapa St
    Hall of Records
    Santa Barbara, CA 93101

  • Chula Vista Marriage Certificates

    590 3rd Ave.
    Chula Vista, CA 91910

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FAQs About California (CA) Marriage Certificates

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    Secure Data Protection

    100% secure and encrypted online Marriage Certificate forms. Get a copy of your marriage records while we keep your data safe!

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    Personalized Review

    Our team of experts are trained in all states and will review each application to make sure there is no information missing and that everything is correct. This way you will avoid delays and get exactly what you are looking for when you order your marriage certificate online.

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    ID Verification

    Some states require that you provide a copy of your photo ID card to order a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Our complete application package provides all the information on which documents you need to provide and how to go about it.

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