Find Downey Marriage Licenses

Marriage license records for Downey residents are kept by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk. Downey sits in southeast Los Angeles County with over 109,000 people. All marriage licenses for Downey go through the county clerk system. You can apply for a marriage license at any Los Angeles County Clerk office location. The county has seven branch offices across Los Angeles County to serve residents. If you got married in Downey or anywhere in the county, your marriage record is on file with the Los Angeles County clerk and you can request certified copies through their office or online portal.

Los Angeles County Issues Marriage Licenses

Downey is part of Los Angeles County. The county clerk handles all marriage license applications for Downey residents. Cities cannot issue marriage licenses in California. County clerks have sole authority under California Family Code to issue licenses and maintain marriage records.

The main Los Angeles County Clerk office sits at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. This location is closest to Downey and serves the southeast part of the county. The office is in Room 1002 of the county building. You need an appointment to apply for a marriage license. Both people must come together. Walk-in service ended several years ago at Los Angeles County clerk offices.

Los Angeles County has six other branch offices. You can apply at any location that is convenient for you. The online appointment system at marriage.lavote.net lets you book your time slot and start your application before you visit. Call 800-201-8999 if you have questions about the process or need help with your appointment in Los Angeles County.

What You Need to Get a Marriage License

Downey couples must meet California state requirements. Both people must be at least 18 years old. No blood test is required. You do not need to be a California resident. People from any state or country can get a marriage license in Los Angeles County. You do not need to live in Downey or even in California to apply here.

Bring valid photo ID to your appointment. A driver license, passport, or state ID card works. You will need your social security number. If you were married before, you must tell the clerk when and where that marriage ended. The clerk will ask you these questions and fill out the application while you sit at the counter in the Norwalk office or any other Los Angeles County location.

Required items for your appointment:

• Government-issued photo ID for both people
• Social security numbers for both people
• Details about previous marriages if applicable
• Payment for the license fee

Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date the clerk issues it. You must have your wedding ceremony during those 90 days. The person who performs your ceremony must sign the license and return it to the county clerk within 10 days. Once the clerk files the completed license, your marriage is official and becomes part of the public record in Los Angeles County.

Public Marriage Licenses

A public marriage license costs $91 in Los Angeles County. This is the standard type that most couples choose. The license becomes a public record after your ceremony. Anyone can request a copy of your marriage certificate once it is filed. You need at least one witness at your wedding ceremony for a public license. The witness must be 18 or older and must sign the license.

Los Angeles County also offers confidential marriage licenses. A confidential license costs $85. To qualify, both people must already be living together as a married couple at the time you apply. No witness is required for a confidential marriage ceremony. The license does not become a public record. Only the two people who got married can get copies later. California Family Code Sections 500 through 511 govern confidential marriages in Downey and across California.

If privacy is important to you, choose a confidential license. If you do not mind public access, a public license is the standard choice. Both types have the same legal weight. You cannot change from one type to the other after the county clerk issues your license in Los Angeles County.

Note: Confidential marriage records stay with the Los Angeles County Clerk and are not sent to the California Department of Public Health.

Marriage Ceremonies in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Clerk performs civil marriage ceremonies. The ceremony fee is $35. This is separate from the license fee. Ceremonies are held at clerk office locations during business hours. The ceremony lasts about 5 to 10 minutes. You can bring up to 6 guests. The clerk reads a standard script and you exchange vows.

You can also hire your own officiant instead of using the county clerk. Any judge, religious leader, or person authorized under California law can perform your wedding. The officiant must return the signed license to the county clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. You can have your wedding anywhere in California once you pick up your license from Los Angeles County.

Many Downey couples book their ceremony appointment for the same day they get their license. This is convenient if you want a simple civil ceremony. If you prefer a larger wedding with family and friends, get your license first and plan your ceremony for a later date. Just make sure your ceremony happens within 90 days of the license issue date in Los Angeles County.

How to Get Copies of Your Marriage Certificate

You can request copies of your Downey marriage certificate from Los Angeles County or from the California Department of Public Health. The county clerk is faster for recent records. The state vital records office can provide older records for public marriages but takes longer to process requests.

To order from Los Angeles County, visit the clerk office in Norwalk or any branch location. You can also order by mail or online through the county website at www.lavote.gov. The online system lets you request certified copies and pay by credit card. Most orders are processed within 5 to 10 business days in Los Angeles County.

The California Department of Public Health charges $19 per certified copy of public marriage certificates. You can order by mail or through VitalChek, the authorized online ordering service. VitalChek adds convenience fees to the state fee. The state cannot provide records for years 2000 through 2007. For those years, contact Los Angeles County directly. The state does not keep confidential marriage records. Those stay with the county clerk in Los Angeles County.

Note: Allow 2 to 3 weeks for mail orders from the state vital records office.

Marriage License Laws in California

California Family Code Sections 350 through 360 set the requirements for marriage licenses. These statutes cover age requirements, ID rules, and license validity periods. The 90-day validity rule comes from this part of California law. Los Angeles County clerks follow these statutes when they issue licenses to Downey residents.

California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 controls who can get certified copies of marriage certificates. This law creates two groups. Authorized persons include the married couple, their legal representatives, and certain family members. They can get certified copies for legal use. Other people can only get informational copies that are not valid for official purposes in Downey and across California.

Confidential marriage rules appear in California Family Code Sections 500 through 511. Section 509 restricts access to confidential records. Only the two people named on the license can get copies. Section 511 sets penalties for anyone who releases confidential marriage information without permission. These laws protect couples who choose confidential licenses in Los Angeles County.

Nearby Cities in Los Angeles County

Other qualifying cities near Downey include Long Beach, Torrance, and Inglewood. All of these cities are in Los Angeles County. Residents use the same county clerk system for marriage licenses. Santa Ana is nearby in Orange County.