San Diego Marriage Licenses

Marriage license applications in San Diego go through the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk office, which has four locations across the county where couples can apply, pay fees, and get their license same day. The office charges $129 for public marriage licenses and $144 for confidential licenses, offers civil ceremony services for $107, and requires both parties to appear in person with valid photo identification. San Diego couples can book appointments online through the county's TimeTrade system or walk in during office hours, though appointments move faster and help avoid long waits at busy times.

San Diego County Handles Marriage Licenses

All marriage licenses for San Diego come from San Diego County. Cities in California do not issue licenses. Only county clerk offices have that power under state law.

The San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk runs four office locations. The main office sits at 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260, downtown. Three other offices serve North County, East County, and South Bay. You can go to any of the four locations. Pick one close to where you live or work in San Diego County.

San Diego County offers public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license becomes part of the public record. Anyone can look it up after it gets filed. A confidential license stays private. Only the two people who got married can get copies later. Public licenses cost $129. Confidential ones cost $144. Both types work the same way legally. The difference is just privacy.

How to Get a Marriage License

Book an appointment online at arccml.sandiegocounty.gov. The online system shows open slots at all four offices. Pick a time that works for both of you. Both people must come to the appointment together. You cannot send just one person.

Walk-ins are allowed but appointments get priority. If the office is busy, walk-ins may wait an hour or more. Book ahead if you can. The appointment system is free and easy to use. Most people find a slot within a few days of when they want to go.

Bring a valid photo ID for each person. Driver licenses, passports, and state IDs all work. The clerk will ask for basic information like full names, birth dates, birth places, and social security numbers. If either person was married before, say when and how that marriage ended. The clerk enters this info into the computer system. It takes about 20 minutes.

You pay the fee after the clerk reviews your information. The office takes credit cards, debit cards, and checks. They print your license right then. It is valid for 90 days from that date. You must have your wedding ceremony within those 90 days anywhere in California.

Marriage License Fees

A public marriage license costs $129 in San Diego County. A confidential license costs $144. These are the highest fees in California. San Diego County updates its fee schedule each year. The fees went up in 2026 due to state law AB 64, which added $2 to vital records fees statewide.

Civil ceremonies at the clerk office cost $107 extra. That fee covers the ceremony and the deputy commissioner who officiates. The ceremony lasts about 10 minutes. You can bring up to 10 guests. Some offices have more ceremony slots than others. Ask when you pick up your license if you want a civil ceremony right away.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost about $15 to $20 after your wedding. You order those from the same office where you got your license. Most couples do not need certified copies right away. You can wait and order them later if you need proof of marriage for legal or official reasons.

San Diego County Clerk Office Locations

The main office is downtown at 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260. It is near the San Diego Airport and the Embarcadero. Parking is available in nearby structures. Metered street parking is also an option but spaces fill up fast during the day.

The North County office is in Vista. The East County office is in El Cajon. The South Bay office is in Chula Vista. Each location handles marriage license applications and has ceremony services. Office hours vary by location. Most are open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Check the website at sdarcc.gov before you visit to confirm hours.

You can call 619-237-0502 with questions about any location. The phone line is open during office hours. Staff can tell you about wait times, help with appointment booking, or explain what documents you need. Most questions get answered quickly.

Wedding Ceremonies at the Clerk Office

San Diego County performs civil ceremonies at all four office locations. The $107 fee covers the ceremony and the officiant. You can book a ceremony when you pick up your license. Some offices let you do the ceremony right after you get your license if slots are open. Others require you to book a separate appointment.

Ceremonies last about 10 minutes. A deputy commissioner reads a short script. You say your vows and exchange rings if you want. The commissioner signs your license after the ceremony. You can bring up to 10 guests. No decorations or music. Just a simple legal wedding.

If you want a bigger wedding or a custom ceremony, hire your own officiant. Any authorized person can officiate weddings in California. That includes judges, priests, ministers, rabbis, and people with online ordination. Your officiant must file the signed license with the county within 10 days of the ceremony. Make sure they know to do this. If the license does not get filed, your marriage is not legal.

Getting Copies of Marriage Records

After your wedding, the officiant files your license with the San Diego County Clerk. The marriage becomes an official record once filed. You can order certified copies from the same office where you got your license. Visit sdarcc.gov for information on ordering copies.

Public marriage records are open to anyone. You do not need to prove who you are to get a copy of a public record. Confidential records are different. Only the two people who got married can get copies of a confidential record. You must show ID and prove you are one of the spouses.

The county clerk has records going back many decades. 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 20 or 30 years ago.

For marriages that happened before 1988, you may need to contact the California Department of Public Health at cdph.ca.gov. The state office charges $19 per certified copy. Not all years are available from the state. Check with both the county and state to see which one has what you need.

California Marriage License Laws

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 approving it. California changed this law in recent years. It used to allow 16 and 17 year olds to marry with parent consent. Not anymore. 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 the basic rules. The license is good for 90 days. 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 in 1995. You do not need witnesses for a confidential marriage. Public marriages need at least one witness age 18 or older. Most people bring family or friends to serve as witnesses. The witness signs the license after the 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 who can marry, how licenses work, and what happens after the ceremony.

Legal Help in San Diego

If you need legal advice about marriage, name changes, or family law, several groups in San Diego offer free or low-cost help. Legal Aid Society of San Diego provides assistance to low-income residents. Visit lassd.org or call their office for information about services.

The San Diego County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney. Visit sdcba.org or call for more details. The first consultation is usually affordable.

For general questions about the marriage license process, call the San Diego County Clerk at 619-237-0502. Staff can explain fees, what documents to bring, and how the process works. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you how to get a license and what to expect.

California State Marriage Records

The California Department of Public Health maintains statewide marriage records. Their office is in Sacramento. You can contact them at cdph.ca.gov or call 916-445-2684. They can provide certified copies for marriages from certain years. For marriages from 2000 to 2007, you must contact the county, not the state.

The state charges $19 per certified copy. That is less than what San Diego County charges, but not all records are available from the state. Check with both to see which one has what you need. The state office processes mail orders in about two weeks. They do not have a walk-in counter.

Other Major Cities in San Diego County

San Diego is the second largest city in California. Other big cities in San Diego County include Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, and El Cajon. All of these cities use the San Diego County Clerk for marriage licenses. Pick the clerk office location closest to where you live or work.