Clovis Marriage License Applications

Marriage license records for Clovis come from Fresno County. Clovis sits just north of Fresno with close to 128,000 people. All marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk in Fresno. You apply in person at the clerk office, and both parties must come together. Clovis residents use the same office as everyone else in Fresno County to get a marriage license or to request certified copies of existing marriage records.

Apply for Marriage License in Clovis

Clovis couples go to Fresno County to apply for a marriage license. The clerk office is in downtown Fresno at 2221 Kern Street. Both people must appear at the same time to sign the forms. No one can apply for you or pick up a license on your behalf. The office is open on weekdays during business hours, and you can walk in or make an appointment.

Fresno County has some of the lowest marriage license fees in California. A public license costs $58 and a confidential license costs $69. These prices are set by county policy and state law. The low cost makes Clovis an affordable place to marry compared to coastal counties where fees can reach over $100.

You need valid ID for each person. Bring a driver license, passport, or state ID card. Fresno County accepts most government-issued photo ID. If you changed your name in the past, bring proof like a prior marriage certificate or court order. The clerk will review your documents and ask you to sign the application in person. The process takes less than an hour for most Clovis couples.

Public vs Confidential Marriage Licenses

California offers two types of marriage licenses. A public license becomes part of the public record after your ceremony. Anyone can request a copy from Fresno County. Most Clovis couples choose a public license. It requires at least one witness at the ceremony who is 18 or older.

A confidential license is for couples who already live together. It stays private and only the two parties can get copies. Under California Family Code Sections 500-511, confidential marriages do not require a witness at the ceremony. The license is not part of the public record and cannot be searched by name. If you need a copy later, you must show ID proving you are one of the two people on the license.

Both types of licenses are legal across California and other states. The choice is up to you and your partner. If you want privacy, choose a confidential license. If you prefer a standard public record, choose a public license. Fresno County issues both types every day to Clovis residents and others.

Your license is valid for 90 days from issue under California Family Code Sections 350-360. You must marry within that time or it expires. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to Fresno County within 10 days. This creates the official marriage record for Clovis couples.

Note: Confidential marriage records in Clovis are stored separately and require proof of identity to access.

Marriage Ceremony in Clovis

Fresno County offers civil ceremonies at the clerk office for a small fee. The ceremony fee is $21, which is one of the lowest in the state. Ceremonies take place during business hours on weekdays. You can bring guests, but the ceremony room is small so keep your group limited.

If you want a private ceremony in Clovis or anywhere else, you need an authorized officiant. California law allows judges, commissioners, clergy, and others with legal authority to perform marriages. Your officiant must sign the marriage license after the ceremony and return it to the county. Always check that your officiant is registered and knows the filing rules.

Some Clovis couples marry at local venues or churches and then file the license through their officiant. Others choose a simple civil ceremony at the county office to keep costs low. Both options create the same legal marriage record. The county does not care where you marry as long as the license is returned on time and signed correctly.

Get Certified Marriage Certificates

After your ceremony, Fresno County records your marriage license and you can order certified copies. A certified copy has the county seal and is accepted for legal purposes like name changes, benefits, or passport applications. The first copy costs $19 under state law at California Health and Safety Code Section 103625. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $19 as well.

You can request copies in person at the clerk office in Fresno or by mail. Send a written request with your names, the date of marriage, and a copy of your photo ID. Include payment for each copy you want. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits but work well if you live in Clovis and cannot travel to Fresno easily.

The California Department of Public Health also has marriage records for Clovis couples. They hold records from 1905 to 1999 and from 2008 forward. For marriages that took place from 2000 to 2007, you must contact Fresno County directly. Visit cdph.ca.gov to order state copies. The state charges the same $19 fee and uses VitalChek as the online vendor.

If you need many copies for Clovis name changes or other uses, order them all at once to save time. Most people need at least three certified copies for Social Security, DMV, and banks. Fresno County can print as many as you need while you wait if you visit in person.

Who Can Get Married in Clovis

Both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry without a court order. California no longer issues marriage licenses to minors in most cases, even with parental consent. If you are under 18, you need approval from a superior court judge. The judge looks at your age, maturity, and reasons for marrying. Fresno County will ask for the court order before issuing a license to anyone under 18.

You cannot be married to someone else when you apply for a new license in Clovis. If you had a prior marriage, it must be legally ended by divorce, death, or annulment. The clerk will ask when your last marriage ended and how. Bring a copy of your divorce decree or death certificate if you have it. This proof is not required but it helps avoid delays.

There is no residency requirement to marry in Clovis. You do not have to live in California or Fresno County. Couples from other states or countries can get a marriage license here and marry in Clovis. Many people choose Clovis for its low fees and easy access. Your California marriage license is valid across the United States and recognized in most other countries.

No blood test or health exam is required. California stopped this rule in 1995. There is also no waiting period between applying and marrying. You can have your ceremony the same day if you want, as long as you have the license in hand. This makes Clovis a fast and simple place to marry for couples who are ready.

Change Your Name After Marriage

Your marriage certificate allows you to change your name without extra court filings. Many Clovis residents change their last name to match their spouse. Others keep their birth name or combine names. California law allows all of these choices.

Start with the Social Security Administration. Visit a local office in Clovis or Fresno, or mail form SS-5 with your marriage certificate. This step is free and updates your Social Security card. Next, go to the DMV to update your driver license. Bring your new Social Security card and marriage certificate. The DMV charges a fee for a replacement license with your new name.

After you update Social Security and DMV, contact banks, employers, insurance companies, and other places that have your name on file. Use your certified marriage certificate as proof. Most Clovis residents finish the full name change process within a month or two of the wedding.

Other Cities in Fresno County

Fresno is the county seat and largest city in Fresno County. All marriage licenses for Clovis and Fresno come from the same clerk office in downtown Fresno. Visalia is nearby in Tulare County and uses a different clerk office.

• Fresno
• Visalia