Stockton Marriage License Records
Marriage license applications in Stockton go through the San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office at 44 North San Joaquin Street, Suite 260, which charges $65 for public licenses and $73 for confidential ones. The County Clerk requires both parties to appear in person with valid photo identification, processes most applications in about 20 minutes, and operates Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm with no appointment needed. Stockton residents benefit from walk-in service at the downtown office located near the courthouse and many government buildings, making it convenient to complete the application during lunch breaks or after work without advance scheduling or online booking systems.
San Joaquin County Issues Licenses
All marriage licenses for Stockton come from San Joaquin County. Stockton is part of San Joaquin County. No city in California has the power to issue marriage licenses. That job falls to each county clerk under state law.
The San Joaquin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office is at 44 North San Joaquin Street, Suite 260, in downtown Stockton. This is the main office for the whole county. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. No appointments needed. Just show up with both people and valid photo IDs.
San Joaquin County offers both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license becomes part of the public record after you file it. Anyone can look it up. A confidential license stays private. Only the two people who got married can get copies. Public licenses cost $65. Confidential ones cost $73. Both types work the same way for legal purposes. The only difference is privacy.
How to Apply for a License
Visit the San Joaquin County office at 44 North San Joaquin Street, Suite 260. Both people must come together. You cannot send just one person to apply. Bring a valid photo ID for each person. Driver licenses, passports, and state IDs all work. No appointment needed.
The clerk will ask for basic information. Full names, birth dates, birth places, and social security numbers. If either person was married before, you must say when and how that marriage ended. The clerk enters this info into the computer. It takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.
You pay the fee after the clerk reviews your information. The office takes credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash. 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. The ceremony can be anywhere in California.
Wait times are usually short. Go in the morning for the fastest service. Lunch hours can be busy. Most people get through in 30 minutes or less including wait time. The office does not close for lunch.
Marriage License Fees
A public license costs $65. A confidential license costs $73. These are among the lowest fees in California. You pay when you visit the clerk office. The office accepts credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash.
The San Joaquin County Clerk does not list civil ceremony services on their website. Check with the office about ceremony availability and fees. Many couples hire their own officiant. Any authorized person can officiate weddings in California. That includes judges, priests, ministers, rabbis, and people with online ordination.
Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost about $15 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 Joaquin County Clerk Office
The office is at 44 North San Joaquin Street, Suite 260, in downtown Stockton. It is near the San Joaquin County Courthouse and many government buildings. Parking is available on the street and in nearby lots. Most street parking is metered. Some free parking is within walking distance.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. The office is closed on weekends and county holidays. Arrive before 4:30pm to make sure you have enough time to complete your application before closing. The last applications of the day may be rushed if staff need to close on time.
You can call 209-468-3939 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.
Getting Copies of Marriage Records
After your wedding, the officiant files your license with the San Joaquin County Clerk. The marriage becomes an official record once filed. You can order certified copies from the same office at 44 North San Joaquin Street. Visit sjgov.org 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 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 Requirements
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 Stockton
If you need legal advice about marriage, name changes, or family law, several groups in Stockton offer free or low-cost help. Legal Services of Northern California serves San Joaquin County. Visit lsnc.net for information about services.
The San Joaquin County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a family law attorney. Visit sjcba.org for more details. The first consultation is usually affordable.
For general questions about the marriage license process, call the San Joaquin County Clerk at 209-468-3939. 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 Joaquin 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 Joaquin County
Stockton is the largest city in San Joaquin County and the eleventh largest in California. Another big city in San Joaquin County is Tracy. Both cities use the San Joaquin County Clerk for marriage licenses. The office at 44 North San Joaquin Street serves the entire county.
Nearby cities in other counties include Sacramento in Sacramento County and Modesto in Stanislaus County. Each county has its own clerk office with different fees and procedures. If you live near a county border, you can apply in any county. The license is valid anywhere in California.