Access Rialto Marriage Licenses
Marriage license records for Rialto are issued by the San Bernardino County Assessor Recorder County Clerk. Rialto is a city of about 105,000 people in western San Bernardino County. All marriage licenses for Rialto residents go through the county clerk system. San Bernardino County has two main offices plus a mobile unit that serves different locations. If you got married in Rialto or anywhere in San Bernardino County, your marriage record is kept by the county clerk and you can request certified copies through their office, by mail, or through the online self-service portal at any time.
Rialto Quick Facts
San Bernardino County Issues Marriage Licenses
Rialto is part of San Bernardino County. The county clerk handles all marriage license applications for Rialto residents. Cities cannot issue marriage licenses in California. Only county clerks have this authority under California Family Code.
The main San Bernardino County Clerk office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. This is the closest location to Rialto. You must have an appointment to apply for a marriage license. Both people must come together in person. Walk-in service is not available.
| Office | San Bernardino County Assessor Recorder County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 222 West Hospitality Lane San Bernardino, CA 92415 |
| Phone | (909) 387-8306 |
| Website | arc.sbcounty.gov |
San Bernardino County also has an office in Joshua Tree and a mobile unit that travels to different locations. You can apply at any location that is convenient. The online self-service portal at arcselfservice.sbcounty.gov lets you start your application and book your appointment time. Call 909-387-8306 if you have questions about the process or need help with your appointment in San Bernardino County.
Requirements to Get a Marriage License
Rialto couples must meet California state requirements. You must be at least 18 years old. If you are under 18, you need a court order. No blood test is required. You do not need to be a California resident. People from any state or country can get a marriage license in San Bernardino County.
Bring valid photo ID to your appointment. A driver license works. A passport or state ID card also works. You need your social security number. If you were married before, tell the clerk when and where that marriage ended. The clerk fills out the application while you wait at the San Bernardino office.
Items needed:
- Government-issued photo ID for both people
- Social security numbers
- Information about previous marriages if applicable
- Payment for the license fee
Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. You must have your wedding ceremony within that time frame. After the ceremony, the person who performed your wedding must sign the license and return it to the county clerk within 10 days. Once the clerk files the signed license, your marriage is official in San Bernardino County.
Public Marriage Licenses
A public marriage license costs $89 in San Bernardino County. This is the standard type. The license becomes a public record after your ceremony. Anyone can request a copy of your marriage certificate. You need at least one witness at your wedding. The witness must be 18 or older and must sign the license.
San Bernardino County also offers confidential marriage licenses. To qualify for a confidential license, both people must already be living together as a married couple when you apply. No witness is required for a confidential ceremony. The license does not become a public record. Only the two people who got married can get copies. California Family Code Sections 500 through 511 set the rules for confidential marriages in Rialto and across California.
If you want privacy, choose a confidential license. If you do not mind public access, a public license is the standard choice. Both types are legally valid. You cannot change from one type to the other after the clerk issues your license in San Bernardino County.
Note: Confidential marriage records stay with the San Bernardino County Clerk and are not sent to the California Department of Public Health.
Marriage Ceremonies
The San Bernardino County Clerk performs civil marriage ceremonies. The ceremony fee is $65. This is separate from the license fee. Ceremonies are held at clerk office locations. The ceremony lasts about 10 minutes. You can bring guests. The clerk reads a standard script and you exchange vows.
You can also hire your own officiant. Any judge, religious leader, or person authorized under California law can perform your wedding. The officiant must return the signed license to the county clerk within 10 days. You can have your wedding anywhere in California once you have your license from San Bernardino County.
Many Rialto couples schedule their ceremony for the same day they pick up their license. This works well for a simple civil ceremony. If you want a larger wedding, get your license first and plan your ceremony for later. Just make sure your ceremony happens within 90 days of the license date.
How to Get Marriage Certificate Copies
You can request copies of your Rialto marriage certificate from San Bernardino County or from the California Department of Public Health. The county clerk is faster for recent records. The state vital records office can provide older records for public marriages but takes longer.
To order from San Bernardino County, visit the clerk office in San Bernardino. You can also order online through the self-service portal at arcselfservice.sbcounty.gov. You can also use VitalChek to order from San Bernardino County. The online systems let you pay by credit card. Most orders are processed within one to two weeks.
The California Department of Public Health charges $19 per certified copy of public marriage certificates. You can order by mail or through VitalChek. VitalChek adds service fees. The state cannot provide records for years 2000 through 2007. For those years, contact San Bernardino County. The state does not keep confidential marriage records.
Note: Allow 2 to 3 weeks for mail orders from the state vital records office.
Marriage License Laws in California
California Family Code Sections 350 through 360 set the requirements for marriage licenses. These statutes cover age requirements, ID requirements, and license validity. The 90-day validity rule comes from this part of California law. San Bernardino County clerks follow these statutes when they issue licenses to Rialto residents.
California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 controls who can get certified copies of marriage certificates. This law divides people into authorized persons and other parties. Authorized persons include the married couple, their legal representatives, and certain family members. They can get certified copies for legal use. Other people can only get informational copies.
Confidential marriage laws appear in California Family Code Sections 500 through 511. Section 509 limits access to confidential records. Section 511 sets penalties for unauthorized disclosure. These laws protect couples who choose confidential licenses in San Bernardino County.
Other San Bernardino County Cities
Nearby qualifying cities include San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, and Hesperia. All of these cities are in San Bernardino County. Residents use the same county clerk system for marriage licenses.