Lancaster Marriage License Lookup

Lancaster marriage license records are issued and maintained by the Los Angeles County Clerk. Lancaster sits in the northern part of Los Angeles County in the Antelope Valley with around 167,000 people. All marriage licenses for Lancaster residents come from Los Angeles County. You can apply at county offices, get copies online, or visit a branch location. The county keeps public marriage records and confidential marriage records under California law. Lancaster residents use the same system as anyone in Los Angeles County when they want to get a marriage license or find an existing marriage record.

Where Lancaster Residents Get Marriage Licenses

Lancaster residents get marriage licenses from Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County operates the County Clerk office that handles all marriage licenses. The main office sits in Norwalk at 12400 Imperial Highway. Lancaster does not have its own city office for marriage licenses. All cities in Los Angeles County use the county system.

You can apply for a marriage license online at marriage.lavote.net. The online system lets you fill out your application from home in Lancaster. Both people must appear together at a county office to pick up the license. You can choose from seven branch offices across Los Angeles County. Some Lancaster residents go to the Norwalk main office while others use the Santa Clarita or Pomona branches since they are closer.

Los Angeles County requires both parties to appear in person with valid photo ID. No appointment is needed at most offices, but you can check wait times on the county website before you go. Bring your Social Security numbers if you have them, though they are not required by California law. If either person was married before, bring the date and place where the prior marriage ended.

The image shows the California Department of Public Health page at cdph.ca.gov where you can learn about getting certified copies of older Lancaster marriage records from the state archive.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses in Lancaster

Lancaster residents can choose between a public marriage license or a confidential marriage license. Each type follows different rules under California law. The public license is the standard option that most people use. The confidential license is for couples who already live together and want their marriage record kept private.

A public marriage license costs $91 in Los Angeles County. You need at least one witness at your ceremony. The witness must be 18 or older and sign the license. Once the officiant returns the signed license to the county, it becomes a public record. Anyone can request a copy. This is the common type used for Lancaster weddings.

A confidential marriage license costs $85 in Los Angeles County. Under California Family Code Sections 500-511, you must be living together as a married couple to get this type. No witness is needed at the ceremony. The record is sealed and not open to the public. Only the two people on the license can request copies later. Lancaster couples who want privacy choose this option.

Both types of licenses expire 90 days after they are issued. You must have your ceremony within that time. If the license expires, you need to apply again and pay a new fee. The officiant must return the completed license to Los Angeles County within 10 days after the ceremony. That is when your marriage becomes official on file in Lancaster.

The image displays the California Department of Public Health vital records page at cdph.ca.gov with details on how Lancaster residents access certified marriage certificates from the state system.

How to Find Lancaster Marriage Records

You can search for Lancaster marriage records through Los Angeles County or the California Department of Public Health. Recent records are at the county level. Older records may be with the state. The search method depends on when the marriage took place and whether it was public or confidential.

For public marriage records in Lancaster, contact Los Angeles County Clerk at (800) 201-8999. You can request a search by name and approximate date. The county charges fees for certified copies. You can also use third-party services like VitalChek at vitalchek.com to order copies online. VitalChek processes requests and sends them to the county for fulfillment.

Confidential marriage records in Lancaster are not available to the public. Under California Family Code Section 511, only the two people named on a confidential marriage license can get copies. You must show valid photo ID that matches the name on the record. If you need a copy of your confidential marriage record from Lancaster, contact Los Angeles County Clerk directly and provide proof of identity.

The California Department of Public Health holds older Lancaster marriage records. The state has records for years before 2000 and after 2007. For marriages from 2000 to 2007, you must contact Los Angeles County Recorder. The state charges $19 per certified copy. You can mail an application using form VS 113A or order online through VitalChek. Processing takes several weeks by mail.

Note: Confidential marriage records in Lancaster remain sealed and are not part of public databases.

Marriage License Fees in Lancaster

Los Angeles County sets the fees for marriage licenses in Lancaster. The fee depends on whether you get a public license or a confidential license. Additional services like civil ceremonies cost extra. All fees are due when you apply or when you schedule the service.

• Public marriage license: $91
• Confidential marriage license: $85
• Civil ceremony: $35
• Certified copy of marriage certificate: Varies by request type

You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card at Los Angeles County offices. Online applications accept credit cards. The fee is non-refundable once you receive the license. If your license expires before the ceremony, you must pay the full fee again for a new license in Lancaster.

Under California Health and Safety Code Section 103625, counties can charge for vital records services. Los Angeles County posts its current fee schedule at lavote.gov. Check the website for the most recent rates before you apply for a marriage license in Lancaster.

The image shows the California CDPH online ordering page at cdph.ca.gov where Lancaster residents can order certified copies of marriage records through authorized vendors.

Lancaster Marriage License Requirements

California law sets the rules for marriage licenses across the state. Lancaster residents follow the same requirements as anyone in California. Both people must appear together when picking up the license. You cannot get a marriage license by mail or with only one person present in Lancaster.

Under California Family Code Sections 350-360, you must provide valid photo ID when you apply. A driver license, passport, or state ID card works. Birth certificates are not required but help if you need to show your age. Both people must be at least 18 years old. Minors under 18 need a court order to marry in Lancaster.

No blood test is required in California. The state ended that rule in 1995. You do not need to be a California resident to get a marriage license in Lancaster. People from other states or countries can marry here. There is no waiting period between applying and receiving the license in Lancaster. You get it the same day when you apply in person.

The license expires 90 days after it is issued. You must have your ceremony within those 90 days or the license is no longer valid. Any person authorized to perform marriages in California can officiate. This includes clergy, judges, and others registered with the California Secretary of State. The officiant must return the completed license to Los Angeles County within 10 days after the ceremony under California Health and Safety Code Section 102100.

Resources for Lancaster Residents

Lancaster residents can use several resources when planning a marriage or searching for marriage records. Local and state agencies provide information and services. Some organizations offer free help if you have legal questions about marriage in Lancaster.

The Los Angeles County Public Law Library has resources on California marriage law. You can visit in person or access some materials online. Staff can point you to statutes and forms. The library is at 301 W. 1st Street in Los Angeles. Call (213) 785-2529 for hours and access rules.

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles serves low-income residents with free legal help. They can answer questions about marriage, name changes, and family law. Visit lafla.org or call (800) 399-4529 to see if you qualify. The organization has an office in Lancaster and can assist with marriage-related legal issues.

The California Courts self-help center has forms and guides for marriage and family law topics. Go to courts.ca.gov/selfhelp to find information about changing your name after marriage, updating records, and other common questions. Lancaster residents can download forms or order printed copies.

The image shows the California CDPH forms page at cdph.ca.gov where Lancaster residents can find applications for certified copies and amendment forms for marriage records.

Nearby California Cities

Several large California cities are near Lancaster. Each has a population over 100,000 and uses its county system for marriage licenses.

• Palmdale (Los Angeles County)
• Santa Clarita (Los Angeles County)
• Glendale (Los Angeles County)
• Pasadena (Los Angeles County)