Marriage License Records Los Angeles

Marriage license applications in Los Angeles are handled through the Los Angeles County Clerk office, which operates seven branch locations throughout the metro area and lets couples start the application process online before visiting an office. The County Clerk issues both public and confidential marriage licenses for $91 and $85 respectively, performs civil wedding ceremonies for an additional $35, and provides access to marriage records once they are filed with the County Registrar-Recorder. Los Angeles residents can complete most paperwork online through the marriage.lavote.net portal, then schedule an appointment at any of the seven branch offices to finalize the license application, pay fees, and receive the physical marriage license document which remains valid for 90 days.

Which County Handles Los Angeles Marriage Licenses

All marriage licenses for Los Angeles are issued by Los Angeles County. No city in California has power to issue marriage licenses. That job falls to each county clerk office under state law.

The Los Angeles County Clerk runs the biggest marriage license operation in the state. Over 50,000 couples get married each year in this county. The main clerk office sits at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Six other branch offices spread across the county make it easy to find a spot 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. Most couples in Los Angeles County pick the public license. It costs $91. The confidential one costs $85.

How to Apply for a Marriage License

Start your application online at marriage.lavote.net/MLS. Both people must fill out the form together. You need basic facts like full names, birth dates, birth places, and social security numbers. The form asks if either person was married before. If yes, you must say when and how that marriage ended.

The online form takes 10 to 15 minutes. After you submit it, pick an appointment time at one of the seven offices. Both people must show up together. You cannot walk in without an appointment. The online form stays good for 60 days. If you do not book an appointment within 60 days, you have to fill out the form again.

Bring a valid photo ID to your appointment. A driver license, passport, or state ID works fine. The clerk checks your info and asks a few questions. This part takes about 15 minutes. You pay the fee and get your license right then. It is valid for 90 days from the date they print it.

Marriage License Fees in Los Angeles

A public license costs $91. A confidential license costs $85. You pay when you visit the clerk office for your appointment. The office takes 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.

If you want certified copies of your marriage certificate after the wedding, those cost $24 for the first copy and $18 for each extra copy. You order those from the Registrar-Recorder office, not the County Clerk. Most people do not need certified copies right away. You can order them later if you need proof of marriage for name changes or other legal matters.

Online orders through VitalChek add service fees of about $10 to $15. In-person requests at the Registrar-Recorder office do not have extra fees.

Los Angeles County Clerk Office Locations

The County Clerk operates seven offices in Los Angeles County. The main office in Norwalk handles the most appointments each day. It is located at 12400 Imperial Highway, Room 1002. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. All seven locations keep the same hours. Some close for lunch breaks. Check the website before you visit.

You can call 800-201-8999 with questions about any location. The phone line is open during office hours. Staff can tell you about current wait times or help if you have trouble with the online form. Most questions get answered right away. Complex issues may need you to visit an office in person.

Each office has its own address and parking options. The Norwalk office has a large parking lot. Downtown Los Angeles and other urban offices may have metered parking or nearby parking structures. Plan extra time if you are not sure where to park. Missing your appointment means you have to reschedule online and pick a new time.

Civil Wedding Ceremonies

The Los Angeles County Clerk performs civil ceremonies at all seven offices. Book your ceremony when you get your license. Slots fill up fast, so ask about times right away. The $35 fee covers the ceremony and the officiant. You can bring up to six guests.

Ceremonies last about 10 minutes. A deputy commissioner reads a short text. You exchange vows and rings if you want. The commissioner signs your license after the ceremony. The whole thing happens at the clerk office. No fancy setup or decorations. Just a quick legal wedding.

If you want a bigger wedding or a custom ceremony, hire a private officiant. Any judge, priest, rabbi, minister, or other authorized person can officiate your wedding in California. The officiant must file your signed license with the county within 10 days of the ceremony. Make sure your officiant knows to do this. If they do not file it, your marriage is not legal.

Some couples use the civil ceremony at the clerk office as a legal formality, then hold a bigger celebration later. Others skip the clerk ceremony and go straight to a private wedding with their own officiant. Both ways work fine.

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 lavote.gov. The office is at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. They have branch locations too.

Certified copies cost $24 for the first one and $18 for each extra one. Order in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. In-person orders get processed in a few days. Mail orders take two to three weeks. Online orders through VitalChek arrive in about a week but have extra service fees.

Public marriage records are open to anyone. You do not need to prove who you are to get a copy of a public record. Just ask for it and pay the fee. Confidential marriage records are different. Only the two people who got married can get copies. 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 saying yes. California used to let 16 and 17 year olds marry with parent consent, but the law changed. Now everyone must be 18 or have a court order.

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 age and other basic rules. The license is good for 90 days. You must 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 rule in 1995. You do not need witnesses for a confidential marriage. Public marriages need at least one witness who is 18 or older. Most people bring family or friends to serve as witnesses. The witness signs the license after the ceremony.

California law is in the California Family Code Sections 350-360. That covers marriage license rules. 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 Aid and Help in Los Angeles

If you need help with legal questions about marriage, name changes, or family law, several organizations in Los Angeles offer free or low-cost services. The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides assistance to low-income residents. Their website is lafla.org. They have offices in several parts of the county.

The Los Angeles County Bar Association runs a Lawyer Referral Service. Call them at 213-243-1525 or visit lacba.org. They can connect you with a lawyer who handles family law cases. The first consultation is usually low cost.

For general questions about marriage licenses, call the Los Angeles County Clerk at 800-201-8999. Staff can explain the process, fees, and what documents you need. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you how to get a license and what to expect.

California State Resources

The California Department of Public Health maintains statewide marriage records at cdph.ca.gov. They can provide certified copies for marriages from certain years. For marriages from 2000 to 2007, you must contact the county recorder, not the state. For other years, the state office may be able to help.

The state office 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 the state and county to see which one has what you need. Phone the state vital records office at 916-445-2684. They have a recorded message with options to speak to a live person during business hours.

For questions about California marriage law, the State Bar of California offers resources at calbar.ca.gov. The California Courts website at courts.ca.gov explains legal processes for name changes, domestic partnerships, and other family law matters. These resources help if you have questions beyond just getting a marriage license.

Other Major Cities Nearby

Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second largest in the United States. Other big cities near Los Angeles include Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, Torrance, and Burbank. All of these cities are in Los Angeles County and use the same County Clerk office for marriage licenses.

Cities in nearby Orange County like Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Irvine use the Orange County Clerk. If you live on the border between Los Angeles and Orange counties, you can apply in either county. The license is valid anywhere in California.