Ontario Marriage License Access
Marriage licenses in Ontario are issued by the San Bernardino County Clerk. The city has about 185,000 people and is in western San Bernardino County. All couples getting married must apply through the county clerk. You cannot get a license from the city. The main clerk office is in San Bernardino at 222 West Hospitality Lane. That office is about 15 miles east of Ontario. The county also has a mobile unit and a branch office in Joshua Tree. Most Ontario residents use the main office in San Bernardino since it is the closest. The county keeps all marriage records and issues certified copies when you need them.
Ontario Quick Facts
San Bernardino County Handles Marriage Licenses
Ontario is in San Bernardino County. The county clerk has the only authority to issue marriage licenses for Ontario residents. This is required by the California Family Code Sections 350 through 360. The clerk office is in the city of San Bernardino, which is the county seat. The office is easy to reach from Ontario by taking Interstate 10 east for about 15 miles.
The main office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor in San Bernardino. It is open Monday through Friday. Call (909) 387-8306 to check hours before you go. Street parking and public lots are available near the office. The county also has a mobile unit that travels to different parts of the county on a set schedule. You can check the county website to see if the mobile unit will be near Ontario when you need to apply.
The California Department of Public Health keeps old marriage records for some years. If you need a copy of a marriage from a long time ago in Ontario, you may need to contact the state. For recent marriages, the county clerk has what you need.
San Bernardino County has an online system at arcselfservice.sbcounty.gov. You can start your marriage license application online before you visit the office. Both of you still need to go in person to finish the process and pick up the license. The online system saves time when you get there because most of the form is already filled out for Ontario residents.
Apply for a Marriage License in Ontario
Both people must go to the clerk office together. One person cannot apply alone. Bring a valid government photo ID like a driver license, passport, or state ID. If you were married before, bring proof that the marriage ended. This can be a divorce decree or a death certificate. You do not need to be a California resident. Anyone can apply for a license here as long as they meet the age and ID rules.
You can start your application online before you go to the office. Visit arcselfservice.sbcounty.gov and fill out the marriage license form. The system will give you a confirmation number. Bring that number when you visit the office from Ontario. The clerk will review your info, check your IDs, and issue the license. If you do not start online, you can fill out a paper form at the office when you get there.
The form asks for basic info like names, birth dates, and birth places. It also asks if you want a public or confidential license. Most couples choose public. A confidential license is for couples who already live together and want the marriage record to stay private under California Family Code Sections 500 through 511. The clerk can explain the difference if you are not sure which one to pick.
You pay when you pick up the license. The fee is $89 for a public license. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. After you pay, the clerk gives you the license. It is good for 90 days. You must have your ceremony within that time or the license expires. After the ceremony, your officiant signs the license and mails it to the county. The county files it and you can order copies a few weeks later for your Ontario marriage.
Note: California does not have a waiting period, so you can get married the same day you get your license.
Marriage License Fees in Ontario
San Bernardino County charges $89 for a public marriage license. A confidential license may have a different fee. Ask the clerk when you apply. These fees are set by the county and can change over time. Call (909) 387-8306 to check the current rates before you go from Ontario to the office.
If you want a civil ceremony at the county office, that costs $65. You can schedule a ceremony when you pick up your license. Some couples do both on the same day to keep things simple. If you have your own officiant, you do not pay the ceremony fee. Just make sure your officiant is registered with the state and knows how to return the signed license to the county after your wedding in Ontario.
- Public marriage license: $89
- Civil ceremony: $65
- Certified copy of marriage certificate: Contact county for fee
The California Department of Public Health forms page has information on state-level marriage records. You can also order copies through the state if the county does not have what you need for your Ontario marriage.
Get Copies of Ontario Marriage Records
After your marriage is filed, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate. You need these for legal matters like name changes, benefits, and insurance. A certified copy has a raised seal and is signed by the county clerk. Plain copies do not have the seal and are not accepted for most legal uses.
Go to the San Bernardino County Clerk office to order in person. Bring your ID and know the names of both spouses and the marriage date. The clerk can look up the record and print a copy while you wait. By mail, send a letter with the same details and a check for the fee. Online orders can be placed through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the county fee.
Only certain people can order marriage records. If the marriage is public, anyone can request a copy. If it is confidential, only the two spouses can order records. No one else can get a confidential marriage record in Ontario unless they have a court order under California Family Code Section 511.
For older records, the California Department of Public Health may have what you need. Call them at (916) 445-2684 to find out if they have the record from your Ontario marriage. The state charges $19 for a certified copy of a marriage certificate.
California Marriage Laws
You must be at least 18 years old to get married without a court order. Both people must be able to consent. You cannot be married to someone else. If you were married before, that marriage must be ended by divorce or death before you can get a new license in Ontario.
California does not require a blood test. That rule ended in 1995. There is no waiting period either. You can get the license and use it the same day. The license is valid for 90 days. If you do not have a ceremony within that time, the license is no longer good and you must apply again.
Your officiant must be authorized by California. This can be a judge, a religious leader, or a deputy commissioner. After the ceremony, the officiant fills out the license and sends it to the county within ten days. That is the law under the California Family Code. If the signed license is not returned, your marriage may not be on file and you will have trouble getting copies for your Ontario marriage.
Legal Resources in Ontario
You usually do not need a lawyer to get a marriage license. The process is simple. But if you have questions about prenuptial agreements, property rights, or other legal matters related to marriage, you may want to talk to a family law attorney. The San Bernardino County Bar Association can refer you to a lawyer who handles these issues in Ontario.
For general legal help, the California Courts Self-Help Center has guides and forms. San Bernardino County also has self-help services at the courthouse. These services are free and open to anyone who needs help with court forms or understanding California law in Ontario.
The California Department of Public Health Vital Records page has information on state-level marriage records. This is useful if you need a copy of an older marriage certificate from Ontario and the county does not have it on file.
San Bernardino County Marriage License Records
Ontario is in San Bernardino County. All marriage licenses for Ontario residents are issued by the San Bernardino County Clerk. The county serves over 2 million people across a large area. For more details on county services, fees, forms, and how to order copies of marriage records, visit the San Bernardino County page.
Nearby California Cities
Other large cities in San Bernardino County also use the county clerk for marriage licenses. These include San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, Rialto, and Hesperia. Each of these cities has over 100,000 residents and follows the same process for marriage licenses that Ontario does.