Orange Marriage Licenses and Records

Marriage license applications for couples in Orange go through Orange County Clerk-Recorder offices where both people must appear in person at the same time to complete the application and receive their license. Public marriage licenses cost $61 and confidential licenses run $66, with both types requiring current photo identification from each applicant and immediate payment before the clerk issues the document. Orange couples can use any of the three county clerk locations at Santa Ana, Anaheim, or Laguna Hills, with the Santa Ana main office sitting just a few miles from the city of Orange.

Orange County Handles All Marriage Licenses

All marriage licenses for Orange come from Orange County. Cities cannot issue licenses under California law. Only county offices have that authority.

Orange County operates three clerk locations. The main office is at 211 West Santa Ana Boulevard in Santa Ana, which sits less than five miles from central Orange. Branch offices serve North County at 1201 East Santa Ana Street in Anaheim and South County at 24031 El Toro Road in Laguna Hills. Orange residents typically use the Santa Ana main office since it is the closest and handles the highest volume of applications.

The county provides both public and confidential marriage licenses. Public licenses become part of public records that anyone can search later. Confidential licenses stay private with only the two spouses able to get copies. Public licenses cost $61. Confidential ones cost $66. Both types work the same under state law.

Applying for Your Marriage License

Book an appointment at ocweddings.ocrecorder.com. This online system shows open times at all three offices. Pick a slot that fits your schedule. Both of you must come at the same time. One person cannot apply alone.

Bring valid photo ID for each person. Driver licenses work. So do state IDs, passports, and military IDs. The clerk will ask for full legal names, birth dates, birth places, and social security numbers. If either of you was married before, you need to say when that marriage ended and how. Divorce, annulment, or death of a spouse are common reasons. This information goes on your application.

After the clerk checks everything, you pay the fee. They take credit cards, debit cards, and personal 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. If the license expires, you must apply and pay again.

Marriage License Costs

Public marriage licenses cost $61. Confidential licenses cost $66. These fees are lower than many other California counties. Orange County sets its fees based on state law and local costs.

If you want a civil ceremony at the clerk office, that costs $28 more. The ceremony takes about 10 minutes. A deputy commissioner officiates. You can bring up to 10 guests. Some offices do ceremonies right after you get your license if time slots are open. Others need you to book a separate appointment.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost $15 to $20 after your wedding. You can order them from the same office where you got your license. Many couples order a few copies right after the wedding for legal and official purposes.

Note: Orange County fees are among the most affordable in Southern California.

Clerk Offices Near Orange

The main Santa Ana office sits at 211 West Santa Ana Boulevard. That is less than five miles from central Orange. The drive takes 10 minutes in light traffic. Parking is available in nearby lots and on the street. This office handles the most applications and has the most appointment slots available.

The Anaheim branch office is at 1201 East Santa Ana Street. That is about 10 miles north of Orange. Use this office if it has better appointment times or if you live on the north side of Orange. The Laguna Hills office is farther south at 24031 El Toro Road. That one works best for couples who live in south Orange or work in South County.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm at all three locations. Call 714-834-2500 with questions. Staff can help with appointment booking, explain what documents you need, and answer questions about wait times. Check ocrecorder.com before your visit to confirm hours.

Civil Wedding Ceremonies

Orange County performs civil ceremonies at all three office locations. The $28 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 about 10 minutes. You say vows. You can exchange rings if you want. A deputy commissioner signs your license after the ceremony. Bring up to 10 guests. No music, decorations, or special requests allowed. Just a simple legal wedding.

You can hire your own officiant for a custom ceremony. Ministers, priests, rabbis, judges, and people with online ordination can all officiate California weddings. Your officiant must file the signed license with Orange 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 Orange County after the wedding. The marriage becomes official once filed. You can then order certified copies from the clerk office. Visit ocrecorder.com for ordering information.

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.

Orange 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 1988, you may need to contact the California Department of Public Health at cdph.ca.gov. The state office charges $19 per copy. Not all years are 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 Orange Residents

Legal Aid Society of Orange County offers free or low-cost help to low-income residents. They assist with family law matters including marriage, name changes, and related issues. Visit legal-aid.com or call their office for information.

The Orange County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that connects you with family law attorneys. Visit ocbar.org for details. First consultations are usually affordable and help you understand your options.

For questions about the marriage license process, call Orange County Clerk-Recorder at 714-834-2500. Staff can explain fees, required documents, and how the application process works. They cannot give legal advice but can tell you what to expect.

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 most counties charge. 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 Orange County Cities

Orange is one of several large cities in Orange County. Other major cities include Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Fullerton, and Costa Mesa. All use Orange County Clerk offices for marriage licenses. Pick the office location that works best for you.