Access San Francisco Marriage Licenses

Marriage license applications in San Francisco go through the Office of the County Clerk at City Hall, located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place in Room 168, where couples pay $127 for public licenses and can schedule civil ceremonies for $111 at the iconic rotunda. The County Clerk requires both parties to appear in person with valid photo identification, processes most applications in about 15 minutes, and offers same-day civil ceremonies with up to six guests allowed. San Francisco couples should book appointments online to avoid long waits, especially during peak wedding season from May through October when City Hall hosts hundreds of weddings each month.

San Francisco County Issues Licenses

All marriage licenses for San Francisco come from San Francisco County. San Francisco is both a city and a county. The Office of the County Clerk at City Hall handles all marriage licenses. No other office in the city has this power.

The County Clerk office is at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 168. City Hall sits in the Civic Center area, near many BART and Muni stops. The building is easy to find and well known as a wedding spot. Thousands of couples get married at City Hall each year.

San Francisco offers public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license becomes part of the public record after filing. Anyone can look it up. A confidential license stays private. Only the two spouses can get copies. Public licenses cost $127. Confidential licenses cost the same. Both types work the same way for legal purposes. The only difference is privacy.

How to Get a Marriage License

Book an appointment online at sf.gov. The system shows open slots for the next few weeks. 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 may face long waits. Appointments get priority. Book ahead if you can. Most appointments are available within a week or two. Peak wedding season is May through October. Slots fill up fast during those months. Book early if you want a specific date.

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 15 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 at City Hall

A marriage license costs $127 in San Francisco. This fee applies to both public and confidential licenses. You pay when you visit the County Clerk office. The office accepts credit cards, debit cards, and checks. Cash is not accepted.

Civil ceremonies at City Hall cost $111 extra. That fee covers the ceremony and the deputy commissioner who officiates. The ceremony happens in the rotunda or another location at City Hall. It lasts about 10 minutes. You can bring up to six guests. No music or decorations. Just a simple legal wedding in a beautiful building.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost about $15 to $20 after your wedding. Order those from the County Clerk office. 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 Francisco County Clerk Location

The office is at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 168. City Hall is in the Civic Center neighborhood. Many BART and Muni lines stop nearby. The Civic Center BART station is a few blocks away. Multiple bus lines serve the area.

Parking is available in nearby garages and on the street. Metered street parking can be hard to find during the day. The City Hall garage charges hourly rates. Plan extra time for parking if you drive. Most people take public transit to City Hall.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm. The office is closed on weekends and city holidays. Arrive before 3:30pm to make sure you have enough time to complete your application before closing.

You can call 415-554-4950 with questions about marriage licenses. The phone line is open during office hours. Staff can tell you what documents to bring, explain the process, and answer questions about fees. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help with the basic steps of getting a license.

Wedding Ceremonies at City Hall

San Francisco City Hall is one of the most popular wedding spots in California. The rotunda is famous for its grand architecture and natural light. Civil ceremonies cost $111 and include the officiant. Ceremonies last about 10 minutes. You can bring up to six guests. No music, flowers, or decorations are provided. You can bring your own if you want.

Book your ceremony when you get your license. Slots fill up fast, especially on Fridays and during peak wedding season. Some couples book their ceremony months in advance. Others get married the same day they pick up their license. It depends on what slots are open.

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.

Many couples hire photographers to capture their City Hall wedding. Photography is allowed in the building. Some spots are more popular than others. The main staircase and rotunda are top choices. Arrive early if you want time for photos before or after your ceremony.

Getting Copies of Marriage Records

After your wedding, the officiant files your license with the San Francisco County Clerk. The marriage becomes an official record once filed. You can order certified copies from the County Clerk office at City Hall. Visit sf.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.

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 law changed in recent years to eliminate marriage for anyone under 18 without court approval.

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 Francisco

If you need legal advice about marriage, name changes, or family law, several groups in San Francisco offer free or low-cost help. Legal Assistance to the Elderly provides services to seniors. Bay Area Legal Aid serves low-income residents. Visit baylegal.org for information about services.

The Bar Association of San Francisco runs a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney. Visit sfbar.org for more details. The first consultation is usually affordable.

For general questions about the marriage license process, call the San Francisco County Clerk at 415-554-4950. 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. Visit 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 Francisco 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 Bay Area Cities

San Francisco is a city and county in one. No other cities are part of San Francisco County. Nearby cities in other counties include Oakland and Fremont in Alameda County, San Jose in Santa Clara County, and Daly City and San Mateo in San Mateo County. Each county has its own clerk office with different fees and procedures.