Santa Clara Marriage License Records

Santa Clara marriage license records are issued and maintained by the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder. The city lies in the heart of Silicon Valley with over 133,000 residents. All marriage licenses for Santa Clara come from the county office in San Jose. You can apply online or visit the clerk office to get a public or confidential marriage license. The county handles both new applications and requests for certified copies of existing marriage records for Santa Clara residents and anyone who wed in Santa Clara County.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Santa Clara

Santa Clara residents apply for marriage licenses at the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder office. The main office is in San Jose at 110 West Tasman Drive. Both parties must appear together in person to apply. You cannot send someone else to get your license, and you cannot apply by mail for a new license in Santa Clara.

The county office issues two types of marriage licenses. A public marriage license requires one witness at the ceremony and becomes part of the public record. A confidential marriage license is for couples already living together and does not require a witness. It stays private. Most Santa Clara couples choose a public license, but both types are valid across California under the state Family Code.

Santa Clara County offers VTel video appointments for couples who cannot visit in person due to disability or health reasons. You must request this option ahead of time. The office also accepts walk-ins during business hours, but expect wait times. Parking is free at the San Jose office. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license or passport for each person applying for a marriage license in Santa Clara.

Marriage License Application Process

You can start your marriage license application online before you visit the Santa Clara County office. The online form saves time when you arrive. Go to the county website and fill out the information for both parties. Print the form and bring it with you, or show the confirmation on your phone. The clerk staff will review it and complete the process in person.

Under California Family Code Sections 350-360, both parties must appear together to sign the license application. You need proof of age and identity. Accepted ID types include a valid driver license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. If you changed your name before, bring documents that show the change. You do not need to be a California resident or U.S. citizen to get a marriage license in Santa Clara.

The county will ask for basic information like your full legal name, birth date, birthplace, and Social Security number if you have one. You must state how many times you have been married before. If you had a prior marriage, you need the date it ended and how it ended. Most people say divorce, but death or annulment also count. Santa Clara County does not require a blood test or waiting period to issue the license.

Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You must have a ceremony within that time or the license expires. After the ceremony, the person who officiated must sign the license and return it to the Santa Clara County Clerk within 10 days. This step creates the official marriage record for Santa Clara couples. The county then files it and you can order certified copies anytime after that.

Note: A marriage license in California does not show your marital status until the ceremony is complete and the license is returned to the county.

Santa Clara Marriage License Fees

The cost for a public marriage license in Santa Clara is $80. A confidential marriage license costs $83. These fees apply at the Santa Clara County Clerk office and are set by state law. You pay when you apply in person. The office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards.

If you want a ceremony at the county office, you can book one for an extra fee. Standard ceremonies cost $80 and take place at the clerk office during business hours. Premium ceremonies at special locations or times cost $120. The county has ceremony rooms available, and you can bring a small group of guests. Check the county website or call (408) 299-5688 for ceremony schedules in Santa Clara.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate are available after the license is returned and recorded. The first copy costs $19 under California Health and Safety Code Section 103625. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $19 as well. You can order copies from Santa Clara County or from the state if the marriage took place many years ago. VitalChek is the state authorized online vendor at vitalchek.com.

How to Search Marriage Records in Santa Clara

Public marriage records in Santa Clara are available to anyone who asks. You can request a copy in person, by mail, or online. Confidential marriage records are only available to the two parties on the license or someone with a court order under California Family Code Section 511.

To get a certified copy of a marriage record from Santa Clara County, you need the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of marriage. The county can search by name if you do not have the exact date. Visit the clerk office in San Jose or send a written request by mail. Include a copy of your ID and payment for each copy you want. Mail requests take longer than in-person visits.

The California Department of Public Health also has marriage records for some years. They hold records from 1905 to 1999 and from 2008 forward. Records from 2000 to 2007 are only at the county level in Santa Clara. Visit cdph.ca.gov for state records. The state charges $19 per copy just like the county. Processing times vary depending on how old the record is and how you submit your request.

If you need a marriage record for legal purposes in Santa Clara, always ask for a certified copy. A certified copy has the county seal and signature of the clerk. It is accepted by courts, government agencies, and other official bodies. An informational copy does not have the seal and cannot be used for legal matters, but it costs less in some cases. Most people order certified copies for name changes, passport applications, or benefits claims.

Marriage License Legal Requirements

California law sets the rules for who can marry and how to get a license. Both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry without permission. If you are under 18, you need a court order from a superior court judge. The court looks at your situation and decides if marriage is in your best interest. Most counties in California no longer issue licenses to minors even with a court order, but the law still allows it in rare cases.

You cannot be married to someone else when you apply for a new license in Santa Clara. If you had a prior marriage, it must be legally ended by divorce, death, or annulment. The clerk will ask about prior marriages and when they ended. Lying on the application is against the law and can make your new marriage invalid. Under California law, you also cannot marry a close blood relative like a parent, sibling, or grandparent.

No blood test or health screening is required for a marriage license in Santa Clara. California eliminated this requirement in 1995. There is also no waiting period between when you apply and when you can have the ceremony. You can marry the same day if you want, as long as you have the license in hand. Some states have waiting periods, but California does not.

Your officiant must be authorized to perform marriages in California. This includes judges, clergy, and other people with legal authority. The officiant signs your license after the ceremony and must return it to Santa Clara County within 10 days. If the license is not returned, your marriage may not be recorded and you will have trouble proving it later. Always confirm your officiant knows the rules and will file the paperwork on time.

Name Change After Marriage in Santa Clara

You can change your name when you marry in Santa Clara. The marriage license gives you the legal right to use your spouse's last name, or to combine names. You do not file separate name change paperwork. The license itself is proof of your new name. After the ceremony, use your marriage certificate to update your name with Social Security, DMV, banks, and other places.

Start with Social Security. Visit a local office or mail form SS-5 with your marriage certificate to change your name on your Social Security card. This step is free. Then go to the California DMV to update your driver license or ID card. Bring your new Social Security card and marriage certificate. Most Santa Clara residents finish both steps within a few weeks of the wedding.

You are not required to change your name when you marry. Many people in Santa Clara keep their birth name or use both names without a legal change. Some couples create a new hyphenated last name for both spouses. California law allows all of these options. Choose what works best for you and use your marriage certificate as proof if anyone asks.

Nearby Cities in Santa Clara County

Other large cities in Santa Clara County with marriage license services from the same county clerk office include San Jose and Sunnyvale. All three cities share the same county office for marriage licenses and records. Fremont is nearby in Alameda County and uses a different clerk office.

• San Jose
• Sunnyvale
• Fremont