Irvine Marriage License Applications
Marriage license requests in Irvine go through Orange County offices at three locations where couples can apply and pick up their license same day. The fee for a public marriage license is $61 and confidential licenses cost $66, with both parties needing to show up together with valid photo identification and pay the full amount before the license gets issued. Irvine couples can use the Santa Ana main office downtown or visit branch locations in Anaheim and Laguna Hills depending on what works best for their schedule and where they live in the city.
Orange County Issues All Marriage Licenses
All marriage licenses for Irvine come from Orange County. Cities in California do not issue licenses. Only county offices have that power.
Orange County runs three clerk offices. The main one sits at 211 West Santa Ana Boulevard in Santa Ana. Two branch offices serve North County in Anaheim and South County in Laguna Hills. Any of the three locations can help you. Most Irvine residents use the Santa Ana or Laguna Hills office since they are close by.
The county offers both public and confidential marriage licenses. Public licenses become part of public records. Anyone can search them later. Confidential licenses stay private. Only the two people who got married can get copies. Public licenses cost $61. Confidential ones cost $66. Both work the same way under state law.
Getting Your Marriage License in Irvine
Book an appointment at ocweddings.ocrecorder.com. This online portal shows open times at all three offices. Pick a slot that fits your schedule. Both of you must come at the same time.
The office can take walk-ins but appointments go faster. Walk-ins may wait 30 minutes or more if the office is busy. The appointment system is free. Most couples find a slot within a week of when they want to go.
Bring valid photo ID for both people. Driver licenses work. So do passports and state IDs. The clerk will ask for names, birth dates, birth places, and social security numbers. If either person was married before, you need to say when and how it ended. This takes about 15 minutes to complete.
After the clerk reviews everything, you pay the fee. They take credit cards, debit cards, and checks. The license prints right away. It is valid for 90 days. Your wedding must happen within that time anywhere in California.
Marriage License Fees
Public marriage licenses cost $61 in Orange County. Confidential licenses cost $66. These fees are much lower than many other California counties. Orange County updates its fee schedule each year based on state law and local costs.
If you want a civil ceremony at the clerk office, that costs $28 extra. The ceremony takes about 10 minutes. A deputy commissioner officiates. You can bring up to 10 guests. Some offices do ceremonies right after you get your license if slots are open. Others need you to book a separate time.
Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost $15 to $20 after your wedding. You can order them from the same office where you got your license. Many couples wait to order copies until they need proof of marriage for legal or official reasons.
Orange County Clerk Offices Near Irvine
The main office is at 211 West Santa Ana Boulevard in Santa Ana. That is about 10 miles from central Irvine. The drive takes 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic. Parking is available in nearby lots and on the street.
The Laguna Hills branch office is closer for many Irvine residents. It sits at 24031 El Toro Road. That drive is only about 10 minutes from south Irvine. The Anaheim office is farther north at 1201 East Santa Ana Street. Use that one if you live in north Irvine and work in Anaheim.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm at all three locations. Call 714-834-2500 with questions. Staff can help with appointment booking, explain what documents you need, and tell you about wait times. Check ocrecorder.com before your visit to confirm hours.
Civil Wedding Ceremonies
Orange County performs civil ceremonies at all three office locations. The $28 fee covers the ceremony and the person who officiates. You can book a ceremony when you get your license. Some slots are available the same day. Others fill up and you need to come back.
Ceremonies last 10 minutes. You say vows and exchange rings if you want. A deputy commissioner signs your license after. Bring up to 10 guests. No music or decorations allowed. Just a simple legal wedding.
Hire your own officiant if you want a custom ceremony. Judges, ministers, priests, rabbis, and people with online ordination can all officiate in California. Your officiant must file the signed license with the county within 10 days. If they forget, your marriage is not legal.
Getting Copies of Marriage Records
Your officiant files your license with Orange County after the wedding. The marriage becomes official once filed. You can order certified copies from the clerk office. Visit ocrecorder.com for ordering information.
Public marriage records are open to anyone. You do not need to prove who you are. Confidential records are different. Only the two spouses can get copies. You must show ID and prove you are one of the people who got married.
Orange County has records going back many decades. Older records may take longer to find. Some very old records are only on paper. Staff must search archived files for those. Allow extra time for records from 20 or 30 years ago.
For marriages before 1988, you may need to contact the California Department of Public Health at cdph.ca.gov. The state office charges $19 per copy. Not all years are available from the state. Check with both the county and state to see who has what you need.
California Marriage License Laws
Both people must be at least 18. Under 18 requires a court order. No exceptions. California changed this law in recent years. It used to allow 16 and 17 year olds to marry with parent consent. Not anymore.
You do not need to be a California resident or U.S. citizen. Anyone can get married here if they meet the basic rules. The license is valid for 90 days. Have your ceremony within that time. If the 90 days pass, the license expires. You must apply again and pay the fee again.
No blood test is required. California stopped that in 1995. Confidential marriages do not need witnesses. Public marriages need at least one witness age 18 or older. The witness signs the license after your ceremony.
California marriage law is in the Family Code Sections 350-360. Confidential marriage rules are in Family Code Sections 500-511. These laws explain requirements and procedures.
Legal Help for Irvine Residents
Legal Aid Society of Orange County offers free or low-cost help to low-income residents. They assist with family law matters. Visit legal-aid.com or call their office for information about services. They can help with questions about marriage, name changes, and other family issues.
The Orange County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They connect you with family law attorneys. Visit ocbar.org for details. First consultations are usually affordable.
For questions about the marriage license process, call Orange County Clerk-Recorder at 714-834-2500. Staff can explain fees, required documents, and how the process works. They cannot give legal advice but can tell you what to expect.
California State Marriage Records
The California Department of Public Health maintains some statewide marriage records. Their office is in Sacramento. Contact them at cdph.ca.gov or call 916-445-2684. They have certified copies for marriages from certain years. For marriages from 2000 to 2007, you must contact the county, not the state.
The state charges $19 per certified copy. That is less than most counties charge. But not all records are available from the state. The state office processes mail orders in about two weeks. They do not have a walk-in counter.
Other Orange County Cities
Irvine is one of the largest cities in Orange County. Other major cities include Santa Ana, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Fullerton, Orange, and Costa Mesa. All use the Orange County Clerk for marriage licenses. Pick the office location that works best for you.