Temecula Marriage License Database

Marriage license requests for Temecula couples get processed at Riverside County Clerk offices where both people must show up together in person to apply and receive their license. Public marriage licenses cost $111 and confidential licenses run $122, with both types needing valid photo identification from each applicant and full payment before the clerk issues the document. Temecula residents have the advantage of a county clerk branch office right in the city at 41002 County Center Drive, making it very convenient to get a marriage license without traveling to Riverside.

Riverside County Issues All Licenses

All marriage licenses for Temecula come from Riverside County. Cities cannot issue licenses under California law. Only county offices have that authority.

Riverside County runs six branch offices plus a wedding chapel. The main office is at 2724 Gateway Drive in Riverside. Other locations include Palm Desert, Temecula, Indio, Blythe, and Lake Elsinore. Temecula residents benefit from having a branch office right in their city at 41002 County Center Drive. This office serves both Temecula and nearby Murrieta. The local office makes getting a marriage license much easier than driving to Riverside.

The county offers both public and confidential marriage licenses. Public licenses become part of public records that anyone can search later. Confidential licenses stay private with only the two spouses able to get copies. Public licenses cost $111. Confidential ones cost $122. Both types work the same under California law.

Getting Your Marriage License

Book an appointment at webselfservice.riversideacr.com. This online portal shows open times at all six county offices including the Temecula branch. Pick a slot that fits your schedule. Both of you must come at the same time. One person cannot apply alone.

Bring valid photo ID for each person. Driver licenses work. So do state IDs, passports, and military IDs. The clerk will ask for full legal names, birth dates, birth places, and social security numbers. If either of you was married before, you need to say when that marriage ended and how. This information goes on your application and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

After the clerk checks everything, you pay the fee. They take credit cards, debit cards, and checks. The license prints right away. You walk out with it. It is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Your wedding must happen within that time anywhere in California. If the license expires, you must apply and pay again.

Marriage License Fees

Public marriage licenses cost $111 in Riverside County. Confidential licenses cost $122. These fees cover the license and all processing. The county updates its fee structure each year based on state law and local operating costs.

If you want a civil ceremony at the clerk office, that adds $96. The ceremony lasts about 15 minutes. A deputy commissioner officiates. You can bring guests. The Temecula office can perform ceremonies. Book when you get your license or schedule for later.

The county also operates a special 14th Street Chapel in Riverside where ceremonies cost $138. This chapel has a more formal setting than the standard office ceremony rooms. But you must drive to Riverside. Most Temecula couples choose the local Temecula office for convenience.

Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost extra after your wedding. Order them from the same office where you got your license. Many couples order a few copies right after the wedding for name changes and other legal purposes.

Clerk Offices in Temecula

The Temecula branch office sits at 41002 County Center Drive. This is right in Temecula. Most residents can get there in 10 to 15 minutes from anywhere in the city. Parking is available at the county center. Office hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours.

The main Riverside office is about 40 miles away at 2724 Gateway Drive. You do not need to use this office unless the Temecula location has no appointment slots or you want to use the 14th Street Chapel. The Lake Elsinore office is another option about 20 miles north at 30755-A Auld Road.

Call 951-486-7000 with questions about appointments or procedures. Staff can help with appointment booking, explain what documents to bring, and answer questions about wait times. Check rivcoacr.org before your visit to confirm hours and procedures.

Note: Temecula is one of the few cities in Riverside County with its own clerk branch office, making it very convenient for local residents.

Civil Wedding Ceremonies

Riverside County performs civil ceremonies at several office locations including the Temecula branch. The $96 fee covers the ceremony and the officiant. You can book a ceremony when you get your license. Some couples do both on the same day. Others get their license first and schedule the ceremony for later.

Ceremonies last 15 to 20 minutes. You exchange vows and rings if you want. A deputy commissioner signs your license after the ceremony ends. Bring as many guests as fit in the ceremony room. Most rooms hold 15 to 25 people.

You can hire your own officiant for a custom ceremony. Ministers, priests, rabbis, judges, and people with online ordination can all officiate in California. Your officiant must return the signed license to Riverside County within 10 days of your wedding. If they miss this deadline, your marriage may not be legally recorded.

Getting Copies of Marriage Records

Your officiant files your signed license with Riverside County after the wedding. The marriage becomes official once the county receives and processes it. This usually takes a few days to two weeks. You can then order certified copies from the clerk office. Visit rivcoacr.org for ordering information.

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

Riverside County has records going back many decades. Older records may take longer to find. Some very old records are stored on microfiche or in archived paper files. Staff must search these manually. Allow extra time if you need records from 20 or 30 years ago.

For marriages before certain years, you may need to contact the California Department of Public Health at cdph.ca.gov. The state office charges $19 per certified copy. Records from 2000 to 2007 are not available from the state. You must contact the county for those years.

California Marriage License Laws

Both people must be at least 18 years old. No exceptions unless a court grants special permission. California changed this law recently to protect minors from forced marriages.

You do not need to be a California resident. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen. Anyone can marry here if they meet the basic age and legal requirements. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Have your ceremony within that window. If the license expires, you must apply and pay again.

No blood test is required in California. The state eliminated that rule in 1995. Confidential marriages do not need witnesses. Public marriages need at least one witness age 18 or older. The witness signs the license right after your ceremony.

California marriage law is found in the Family Code Sections 350-360. Rules for confidential marriages are in Family Code Sections 500-511. These statutes explain all requirements in detail.

Legal Help for Temecula Residents

Legal Aid Society of Riverside County provides free legal services to low-income residents. They assist with family law matters including marriage, divorce, and name changes. Call them for information about eligibility and what services they offer.

The Riverside County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They connect you with family law attorneys who practice in southwest Riverside County including the Temecula area. First consultations are usually affordable and help you understand your legal options.

For questions about the marriage license process, call Riverside County Clerk at 951-486-7000. Staff can explain fees, required documents, and how the application works. They cannot give legal advice but can tell you what to bring and what to expect.

California State Marriage Records

The California Department of Public Health maintains some statewide marriage records. Their office is in Sacramento. Contact them at cdph.ca.gov or call 916-445-2684. They have 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 Riverside County charges. But not all records are available from the state. The state office processes mail orders in about two to three weeks. They do not have a walk-in counter. You must order by mail or through their authorized vendor.

Other Riverside County Cities

Temecula is one of several large cities in Riverside County. Other major cities include Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Murrieta, Menifee, and Jurupa Valley. All use Riverside County Clerk offices for marriage licenses. Pick the branch location that works best for you.