Long Beach Marriage License Access
Marriage license applications in Long Beach are handled through the Los Angeles County Clerk office, with the nearest branch located in Norwalk at 12400 Imperial Highway, about 15 miles from downtown Long Beach. The County Clerk charges $91 for public marriage licenses and $85 for confidential ones, requires both parties to appear together with valid photo identification, and processes applications through an online system at marriage.lavote.net where couples complete forms before visiting an office. Long Beach residents benefit from seven Los Angeles County Clerk locations throughout the region, allowing couples to pick an office near their home or work, with all locations offering the same services including license applications and civil ceremony bookings for $35.
Los Angeles County Issues Licenses
All marriage licenses for Long Beach come from Los Angeles County. Long Beach is part of Los Angeles County. No city in California has the power to issue marriage licenses. That job falls to each county clerk under state law.
The Los Angeles County Clerk operates seven branch offices across the county. The nearest office to Long Beach is in Norwalk at 12400 Imperial Highway. That is about 15 miles from downtown Long Beach. Other offices are in Los Angeles, Downey, Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Pomona, and East Los Angeles. You can visit any of the seven locations. Pick one close to where you live or work.
Los Angeles County offers both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license becomes part of the public record after you file it. Anyone can look it up. A confidential license stays private. Only the two people who got married can get copies. Public licenses cost $91. Confidential ones cost $85. Both types work the same way for legal purposes. The only difference is privacy.
How to Apply for a License
Start your application online at marriage.lavote.net/MLS. Both people must fill out the form together. You will need basic information like full names, birth dates, birth places, and social security numbers. If either person was married before, you must say when and where that marriage ended.
The online form takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. After you submit it, the system will show you available appointment times at each of the seven office locations. Pick a time and place that works for both of you. The appointment is required. You cannot just walk in without an appointment at any Los Angeles County Clerk office.
Both people must appear together at the office for the appointment. Bring valid photo identification for each person. A driver license, passport, or state ID works. The clerk will review your information and ask a few questions. This process takes about 15 minutes. You pay the license fee at the appointment. The office accepts credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash. Once payment is complete, the clerk prints your marriage license. It is valid for 90 days from that date.
Marriage License Fees
A public license costs $91. A confidential license costs $85. You pay when you visit the clerk office for your appointment. The office accepts credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash.
Civil ceremonies at the clerk office cost $35 extra. That gets you a short wedding with a deputy commissioner. The ceremony lasts about 10 minutes. Up to six guests can attend. You can book a ceremony slot when you pick up your license. Some offices have more ceremony times than others.
Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost $24 for the first copy and $18 for each extra copy after your wedding. You order those from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder office. Most people do not need certified copies right away. You can wait and order them later if you need proof of marriage for legal or official reasons.
Nearest County Clerk Offices
The Norwalk office is the closest to Long Beach. It is at 12400 Imperial Highway, Room 1002, in Norwalk. Take the 605 Freeway north from Long Beach. The drive is about 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. The office has a large parking lot.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. All seven Los Angeles County Clerk offices keep the same hours. You can call 800-201-8999 with questions about any location. The phone line is open during office hours.
You can also visit the Downey office if that is more convenient. It is at 8407 2nd Street in Downey. That is about the same distance from Long Beach as the Norwalk office. Both handle marriage license applications and civil ceremony bookings.
Getting Copies of Marriage Records
After your wedding, the officiant files your license with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. The marriage becomes an official record once filed. You can order certified copies from the Registrar-Recorder office at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk or from any of their branch locations. Visit lavote.gov for information on ordering copies.
Public marriage records are open to anyone. You do not need to prove who you are to get a copy of a public record. Confidential records are different. Only the two people who got married can get copies of a confidential record. You must show ID and prove you are one of the spouses.
The Registrar-Recorder office has records going back over 100 years. Older records may take longer to find. Some very old records are only on paper and require staff to search archived files. Allow extra time if you need a record from many decades ago.
California Marriage License Requirements
Both people must be at least 18 years old. If you are under 18, you need a court order. No one under 18 can marry without a judge approving it. California law changed in recent years to eliminate marriage for anyone under 18 without court approval.
You do not need to be a California resident. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen. Anyone can get married in California as long as they meet the basic rules. The license is good for 90 days. Have your ceremony within that time. If the 90 days pass, your license expires. You have to apply again and pay the fee again.
No blood test is required. California stopped that in 1995. You do not need witnesses for a confidential marriage. Public marriages need at least one witness age 18 or older. Most people bring family or friends to serve as witnesses. The witness signs the license after the 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 who can marry, how licenses work, and what happens after the ceremony.
Legal Help in Long Beach
If you need legal advice about marriage, name changes, or family law, several groups in the Long Beach area offer free or low-cost help. Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles serves Long Beach and other parts of the county. Visit lafla.org for information about services.
The Long Beach Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney. Visit longbeachbar.org for more details. The first consultation is usually affordable.
For general questions about the marriage license process, call the Los Angeles County Clerk at 800-201-8999. Staff can explain fees, what documents to bring, and how the process works. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you how to get a license and what to expect.
California State Marriage Records
The California Department of Public Health maintains statewide marriage records. Visit cdph.ca.gov or call 916-445-2684. They can provide 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 what Los Angeles County charges, but not all records are available from the state. Check with both to see which one has what you need. The state office processes mail orders in about two weeks. They do not have a walk-in counter.
Other Major Cities Nearby
Long Beach is the seventh largest city in California. Other big cities in Los Angeles County include Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Torrance, and Downey. All of these cities use the Los Angeles County Clerk for marriage licenses.
Cities in nearby Orange County like Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Huntington Beach use the Orange County Clerk. If you live on the border between counties, you can apply in either county. The license is valid anywhere in California.