Hesperia Marriage Records

Marriage license records for Hesperia residents are processed by the San Bernardino County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk. Hesperia is a city of about 102,800 people in eastern San Bernardino County. All marriage licenses for Hesperia go through the county clerk system. San Bernardino County operates seven branch offices where you can apply for a license. The Norwalk office serves many Hesperia residents and is one option for picking up your license. If you got married in Hesperia or anywhere in San Bernardino 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.

San Bernardino County Handles Marriage Licenses

Hesperia is in San Bernardino County. The county clerk handles all marriage license applications for Hesperia 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 one option for Hesperia residents. The office is in Room 1002. You must have an appointment to apply for a marriage license. Both people must come together in person. Walk-in service is not available at San Bernardino County clerk offices.

San Bernardino County has six other branch offices. You can apply at any location. The online appointment system at arcselfservice.sbcounty.gov lets you book your time slot and start your application before you visit. Call 909-387-8306 if you need help with the process or have questions about marriage licenses in San Bernardino County.

Requirements to Get a Marriage License

Hesperia 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 San Bernardino County. You do not need to live in Hesperia 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 any San Bernardino County location.

Items to bring:

• 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 San Bernardino County.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

A public marriage license costs $89 in San Bernardino 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 $89 in San Bernardino 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 Hesperia 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 San Bernardino County.

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

Civil Marriage Ceremonies

The San Bernardino County Clerk performs civil marriage ceremonies. The ceremony fee is $65. 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 San Bernardino County.

Many Hesperia 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 Hesperia marriage certificate from San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino County, visit any branch office. You can also order by mail or online through the county website at arc.sbcounty.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 San Bernardino 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. San Bernardino County clerks follow these statutes when they issue licenses to Hesperia 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.

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 San Bernardino County.

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying cities near Hesperia include San Bernardino, Victorville, Rialto, and San Bernardino. All of these cities are in San Bernardino County. Residents use the same county clerk system for marriage licenses.