Search Murrieta Marriage Licenses

Marriage license applications for Murrieta residents go through Riverside County Clerk offices where couples must appear in person together to complete the application and pick up their license. Public marriage licenses cost $111 and confidential licenses run $122, with both types requiring current photo identification from each person and immediate payment before the clerk can issue the document. Murrieta couples can visit any of the six branch locations across Riverside County with the Temecula office sitting closest to Murrieta at just a few miles away on County Center Drive.

Riverside County Handles All Licenses

All marriage licenses for Murrieta come from Riverside County. Cities do not issue licenses. That power belongs to the county.

Riverside County operates six branch offices plus a wedding chapel. The main office is at 2724 Gateway Drive in Riverside. Other locations include Palm Desert, Temecula, Indio, Blythe, and Lake Elsinore. Murrieta residents almost always use the Temecula branch since it sits less than five miles from Murrieta at 41002 County Center Drive. The drive takes 10 minutes or less. This makes getting a marriage license very convenient for Murrieta couples.

The county provides both public and confidential marriage licenses. Public licenses become part of public records that anyone can search. Confidential licenses stay private with only the two spouses able to get copies later. Public licenses cost $111. Confidential ones cost $122. Both types work the same under California law.

Applying for Your Marriage License

Visit webselfservice.riversideacr.com to book an appointment. This online portal shows open slots at all six county offices. Pick a time that works for both of you. Walk-ins are accepted but appointments move faster.

Bring valid photo ID for each person. Driver licenses work well. So do state IDs, passports, and military IDs. You need to give your full legal names, birth dates, where you were born, and social security numbers. If either of you was married before, say when that marriage ended and how it ended. Divorce, annulment, or death are common reasons. The clerk needs this to complete your application.

After the clerk checks everything, you pay the fee. They take credit cards, debit cards, and checks. The license prints right away. You walk out with it. It is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Your wedding must happen within that time anywhere in California.

Marriage License Costs

Public marriage licenses cost $111. Confidential licenses cost $122. These fees include all processing and the license itself. Riverside County updates its fee structure each year based on state law and local costs.

If you want a civil ceremony at a clerk office, that adds $96. The ceremony takes about 15 minutes. A deputy commissioner officiates. You can bring guests. The county also operates a special 14th Street Chapel in Riverside where ceremonies cost $138. This chapel offers a more formal setting but requires driving to Riverside instead of staying local in Temecula.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost extra after your wedding. Order them from the same office where you got your license. Many couples order a few copies right after the wedding for name changes and other legal matters.

Note: Murrieta couples benefit from having the Temecula office so close, cutting down on travel time and costs.

Clerk Offices Near Murrieta

The Temecula branch office sits at 41002 County Center Drive. That is less than five miles from central Murrieta. The drive takes 10 minutes or less. Take Jefferson Avenue west and turn on County Center Drive. Parking is available at the county center. This office serves both Murrieta and Temecula residents.

The main Riverside office is about 40 miles away at 2724 Gateway Drive. You do not need to use this office unless the Temecula location has no appointment slots. The Lake Elsinore office is another option about 20 miles north at 30755-A Auld Road. Most Murrieta couples stick with Temecula since it is so close.

Office hours vary by location. Most are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Call 951-486-7000 with questions. Staff can help with appointment booking, explain what documents to bring, and answer questions. Check rivcoacr.org before your visit to confirm hours.

Civil Wedding Ceremonies

Riverside County performs civil ceremonies at several office locations including Temecula. The $96 fee covers the ceremony and the officiant. You can book a ceremony when you get your license. Some couples do both on the same day. Others get their license first and come back later for the ceremony.

Ceremonies last 15 to 20 minutes. You say vows. You can exchange rings if you want. A deputy commissioner signs your license after the ceremony. Bring as many guests as fit in the ceremony room. Most rooms hold 15 to 25 people.

The 14th Street Chapel in Riverside offers a more formal option. That ceremony costs $138. The chapel has better seating and a nicer setting. But you must drive to Riverside. Book this early as chapel dates fill up fast especially on weekends.

You can hire your own officiant for a custom ceremony anywhere you want. Ministers, priests, rabbis, judges, and people with online ordination can all officiate California weddings. Your officiant must file the signed license with Riverside County within 10 days. If they forget, your marriage may not be legally recorded.

Getting Copies of Marriage Records

Your officiant files your signed license with Riverside County after the wedding. The marriage becomes official once filed. You can then order certified copies from the clerk office. Visit rivcoacr.org for ordering information and current fees.

Public marriage records are open to anyone. You do not need to prove who you are or explain why you want a copy. Confidential records work differently. Only the two spouses can get copies. You must show ID and prove you are one of the married people.

Riverside County has records going back many decades. Older records may take longer to find. Some very old records are stored on microfiche or in archived paper files. Staff must search these manually. Allow extra time if you need records from 20 or 30 years ago.

For marriages before certain years, you may need to contact the California Department of Public Health at cdph.ca.gov. The state office charges $19 per copy. Records from 2000 to 2007 are not 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 to protect minors from forced marriages.

You do not need to be a California resident or U.S. citizen. Anyone can get married here if they meet the basic age and legal requirements. The license is valid for 90 days. Have your ceremony within that time. If the 90 days pass, the license expires and you must apply 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 in detail.

Legal Help for Murrieta Residents

Legal Aid Society of Riverside County provides free legal services to low-income residents. They help with family law matters including marriage, divorce, and name changes. Call them for information about eligibility and services.

The Riverside County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They connect you with family law attorneys who practice in southwest Riverside County including Murrieta. First consultations are usually affordable.

For questions about the marriage license process, call Riverside County Clerk at 951-486-7000. Staff can explain fees, required documents, and how the application works. They cannot give legal advice but can tell you what to bring.

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.

The state charges $19 per certified copy. That is less than Riverside County charges. 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 Riverside County Cities

Murrieta is one of several large cities in Riverside County. Other major cities include Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Temecula, Menifee, and Jurupa Valley. All use Riverside County Clerk offices for marriage licenses. Pick the branch location that works best for you.