El Monte Marriage License Records
Marriage license applications for El Monte residents are handled by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk. El Monte is a city of about 105,000 people in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County. All marriage licenses for El Monte go through the county clerk system. Los Angeles County operates seven branch offices where you can apply for a license. The Norwalk office is closest to El Monte and serves the eastern part of the county. If you got married in El Monte or anywhere in Los Angeles County, your marriage record is maintained by the county clerk and you can request certified copies through their office, by mail, or through the online marriage portal anytime you need them.
El Monte Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Handles Marriage Licenses
El Monte is in Los Angeles County. The county clerk handles all marriage license applications for El Monte residents. Cities do not issue marriage licenses in California. County clerks have sole authority under California Family Code to issue licenses and maintain marriage records.
The Norwalk office at 12400 Imperial Highway is the nearest location to El Monte. The office is in Room 1002. You need an appointment to apply for a marriage license. Both people must come together in person. Walk-in service ended several years ago at Los Angeles County clerk offices.
| Office | Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 12400 Imperial Highway, Room 1002 Norwalk, CA 90650 |
| Phone | (800) 201-8999 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | www.lavote.gov |
Los Angeles County has six other branch offices across the county. You can apply at any location that works for you. The online appointment system at marriage.lavote.net lets you book your time slot and begin your application before you visit. Call 800-201-8999 if you need help with the process or have questions about marriage licenses in Los Angeles County.
What You Need for a Marriage License
El Monte couples must meet California state requirements. You 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 El Monte or even in California to apply.
You need valid photo ID for both people. A driver license, passport, or state ID card works. You must provide your social security number. If you were married before, tell the clerk when and where that marriage ended. The clerk fills out the application during your appointment at the Norwalk office or any other Los Angeles County location.
Required items:
- Government-issued photo ID for both people
- Social security numbers
- Information about previous marriages if applicable
- Payment for the license fee
The marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. You must have your wedding ceremony within that time. After the ceremony, the person who performed your wedding must sign the license and return it to the county clerk within 10 days. Your marriage becomes official once the clerk files the completed license in Los Angeles County.
Public and Confidential Licenses
A public marriage license costs $91 in Los Angeles County. This is the standard type. The license becomes a public record after your ceremony. Anyone can request a copy of your marriage certificate. You need at least one witness at your wedding. The witness must be 18 or older and must sign the license.
A confidential marriage license costs $85 in Los Angeles County. To qualify, both people must already be living together as a married couple when you apply. No witness is required for a confidential 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 El Monte and across California.
If privacy is important, choose a confidential license. If you do not mind public access, a public license is fine. Both types are legally valid. You cannot change from one type to the other after the 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.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
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. 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. 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. You can have your wedding anywhere in California once you have your license from Los Angeles County.
Many El Monte couples book their ceremony for the same day they get their license. This works well for a simple civil ceremony. If you want a larger wedding, get your license first and plan your ceremony for later. Just make sure your ceremony happens within 90 days of the license date.
How to Get Marriage Certificate Copies
You can get copies of your El Monte 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 more time.
To order from Los Angeles County, visit the Norwalk office 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.
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 service. VitalChek adds service fees. The state cannot provide records for years 2000 through 2007. For those years, contact Los Angeles County. The state does not keep confidential marriage records.
Note: Allow 2 to 3 weeks for mail orders from the state vital records office.
California Marriage License Laws
California Family Code Sections 350 through 360 set the requirements for marriage licenses. These statutes cover age requirements, ID requirements, and license validity. The 90-day validity rule comes from this part of California law. Los Angeles County clerks follow these statutes when they issue licenses to El Monte 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.
Confidential marriage laws appear in California Family Code Sections 500 through 511. Section 509 limits access to confidential records. Section 511 sets penalties for unauthorized disclosure. These laws protect couples who choose confidential licenses in Los Angeles County.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near El Monte include West Covina, Pomona, Pasadena, and Downey. All of these cities are in Los Angeles County. Residents use the same county clerk system for marriage licenses.