Marriage Licenses in Santa Ana

Marriage license applications in Santa Ana are handled at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder main office located at 211 West Santa Ana Boulevard, where the county seat provides full service for couples seeking public or confidential licenses with fees of $61 and $66 respectively. Santa Ana houses the primary Orange County office that processes all marriage licenses for the entire county, making it a central hub where residents from across the region come to apply in person with required identification and complete the process in about 15 to 20 minutes during office hours Monday through Friday.

Orange County Processes All Licenses

All marriage licenses for Santa Ana come from Orange County. Cities do not issue licenses in California. Only county clerk offices have that authority.

The main Orange County office sits right in downtown Santa Ana at 211 West Santa Ana Boulevard. This is the county seat and the largest of three clerk locations. Two branch offices serve North County in Anaheim and South County in Laguna Hills. Santa Ana residents often use the main office since it is right in the city.

Public marriage licenses cost $61. Confidential licenses cost $66. Public licenses become part of public records that anyone can search. Confidential licenses stay private. Only the two people who got married can get copies later. Both types work the same way legally under California law.

How to Apply for a Marriage License

You can book an appointment online at ocweddings.ocrecorder.com. The system shows available times at all three Orange County offices. Pick a slot that works for both of you. Both people must appear together.

Walk-ins are accepted. But appointments move faster. If you walk in, you may wait 30 minutes or more during busy times. The online booking is free and easy. Most people find a slot within a few days.

Bring valid photo ID for each person. Driver licenses work best. Passports and state IDs also work. The clerk needs basic info 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 whole process takes 15 to 20 minutes.

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

The Santa Ana office is easy to reach by car or bus. Parking is available in nearby lots. Metered street parking is also an option but spaces fill fast during the day. The office is close to the Santa Ana Civic Center area.

Marriage License Fees in Orange County

Public marriage licenses cost $61. Confidential licenses cost $66. These are some of the lowest fees in California. Orange County keeps fees reasonable compared to counties like Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Civil ceremonies at the clerk office cost $28 extra. A deputy commissioner officiates. The ceremony lasts about 10 minutes. You can bring up to 10 guests. Some days have open slots for same-day ceremonies. Other times you need to book a separate appointment.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost $15 to $20 each after your wedding. Order them from the same office where you got your license. You can visit in person, mail a request, or order online through the county website. Most couples do not need copies right away.

Orange County Clerk Office in Santa Ana

The main office is at 211 West Santa Ana Boulevard, Room 201. This building is the Old Orange County Courthouse. It is a historic building in downtown Santa Ana. The clerk office is on the second floor.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. The office is closed on weekends and county holidays. Call 714-834-2500 with questions about hours, fees, or what to bring. Staff can help you over the phone or direct you to online resources.

If the Santa Ana office is too busy or far from where you live, try the Anaheim or Laguna Hills branch offices. They offer the same services. All three locations have the same fees and procedures. Visit ocrecorder.com for details about each location.

Wedding Ceremonies at the Clerk Office

Orange County performs civil ceremonies at all three office locations including Santa Ana. The $28 fee covers everything. You can book a ceremony when you pick up your license. Some slots are available same day. Others require you to come back at a later time.

The ceremony lasts 10 minutes. You say vows. You can exchange rings. A deputy commissioner signs your license after the ceremony. Bring up to 10 guests. No music or decorations. Just a simple legal wedding.

Hire your own officiant if you want a custom ceremony. Any authorized person can officiate in California. That includes judges, ministers, priests, rabbis, and people with online ordination. Your officiant must file the signed license with Orange County within 10 days. If they do not file it, your marriage is not legal.

Obtaining Marriage Record Copies

After your wedding, your officiant files the license with Orange County. The marriage becomes official once filed. You can order certified copies from the clerk office at ocrecorder.com.

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

The county has records going back many decades. Older records may take longer to locate. Some very old records are only on paper in archived files. Staff must search manually for those. Allow extra time if you need a record from 20 or 30 years ago.

For marriages before 1988, 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 18 or older. If you are under 18, you need a court order. No exceptions exist. California changed this law in recent years. It used to allow 16 and 17 year olds to marry with parent consent.

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 if they meet the age requirement. 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. Most people bring family or friends to serve as witnesses.

California marriage law is in the Family Code Sections 350-360. Confidential marriage rules are in Family Code Sections 500-511. These laws set requirements and explain procedures.

Legal Help in Santa Ana

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

The Orange County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with family law attorneys. Visit ocbar.org or call for more details. First consultations are usually affordable and let you ask basic questions.

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

California State Marriage Records

The California Department of Public Health maintains statewide marriage records for certain years. Their office is in Sacramento. Contact them at cdph.ca.gov or call 916-445-2684. They provide certified copies for marriages from specific 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 most counties. But not all records are available from the state office. They process mail orders in about two weeks. They do not have a walk-in counter for the public.

Other Cities in Orange County

Santa Ana is the county seat and second largest city in Orange County. Other major cities include Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Fullerton, Orange, and Costa Mesa. All use Orange County Clerk-Recorder for marriage licenses. Pick the office that works best for your location.