Visalia Marriage License Files

Marriage licenses in Visalia come from the Tulare County Assessor County Clerk Recorder. Visalia is the county seat of Tulare County with more than 146,000 people. All Visalia residents use Tulare County for marriage licenses. The county office is right in Visalia at 221 South Mooney Boulevard in Room 105. Since Visalia is the county seat, getting a marriage license is easy for local residents. You can apply for a public marriage license or a confidential marriage license. Visalia does not have its own city office for marriage licenses, so everyone uses the Tulare County system for getting a license or searching for marriage records.

Where Visalia Residents Get Marriage Licenses

Visalia residents get marriage licenses from Tulare County. Tulare County operates the Assessor County Clerk Recorder office that issues all marriage licenses. The office is in Visalia at 221 South Mooney Boulevard in Room 105. Since Visalia is the county seat, the main county office is right in the city. This makes it easy for Visalia residents to apply without traveling far.

Both people must appear in person together with valid photo ID. Bring a driver license or passport. You do not need an appointment in most cases, but you can call ahead to check hours. The county office in Visalia handles all marriage license services for Tulare County.

The image shows the California Department of Public Health page at cdph.ca.gov where Visalia residents can learn about getting certified copies of older marriage records from the state archive.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

Visalia residents choose between a public marriage license or a confidential marriage license. Each type has different rules. A public license costs $93 and becomes a public record. A confidential license costs $95 and stays private.

Under California Family Code Sections 350-360, a public license requires at least one witness at the ceremony. The witness must be 18 or older. Once filed, the record is public. Most Visalia weddings use this type.

A confidential license follows California Family Code Sections 500-511. You must live together as a couple to qualify in Visalia. No witness is needed at the ceremony. The record stays sealed and only the two people on the license can get copies. Visalia couples who want privacy use this option.

Both types expire 90 days after issue. You must have your ceremony within that time. The officiant must return the signed license to Tulare County within 10 days after the wedding. That is when your Visalia marriage becomes official on file.

The image displays the California CDPH vital records page at cdph.ca.gov with details on how Visalia residents access certified marriage certificates from the state system.

How to Find Visalia Marriage Records

You can search for Visalia marriage records through Tulare County or the California Department of Public Health. Recent records are at the county level in Visalia. Older records may be with the state.

For public marriage records in Visalia, contact Tulare County at (559) 636-5051. The county can search by name and date. You can request certified copies by mail or in person. Fees apply. Visit the county website for current fees and request forms for Visalia marriage records.

Confidential marriage records in Visalia are not open to the public. Under California Family Code Section 511, only the two people on the license can get copies. You must show valid photo ID that matches the name on the record. If you need your confidential marriage record from Visalia, contact Tulare County with proof of identity.

The California Department of Public Health keeps older Visalia marriage records. The state has records for years before 2000 and after 2007. For marriages from 2000 to 2007, contact Tulare County Recorder. The state charges $19 per certified copy. You can mail form VS 113A or order through VitalChek. Processing takes several weeks by mail.

Note: Confidential marriage records in Visalia remain sealed and are not part of public databases.

Visalia Marriage License Requirements

California law sets the rules for marriage licenses. Visalia residents follow the same requirements as anyone else in the state. Both people must appear together when picking up the license at the Tulare County office in Visalia. You cannot get a marriage license by mail or with only one person present.

You must provide valid photo ID when you apply in Visalia. A driver license, passport, or state ID works. Birth certificates help if you need to show your age. Both people must be at least 18 years old. Minors under 18 need a court order to marry.

No blood test is required in California. The state ended that rule in 1995. You do not need to be a California resident to get a marriage license in Visalia. People from other states or countries can marry here. There is no waiting period. You get the license the same day when you apply in person at Tulare County.

Under California Health and Safety Code Section 102100, the license expires 90 days after issue. You must have your ceremony within those 90 days or the license is no longer valid. Any person authorized to perform marriages in California can officiate your Visalia wedding. The officiant must return the completed license to Tulare County within 10 days after the ceremony.

Marriage License Fees in Visalia

Tulare County sets the fees for marriage licenses in Visalia. The cost depends on the type of license. All fees are due when you apply at the county office in Visalia.

• Public marriage license: $93
• Confidential marriage license: $95
• Certified copy: Varies by request type

You can pay by cash, check, or money order at the Tulare County office in Visalia. The fee is non-refundable once you get the license. If your license expires, you must pay the full fee again.

Under California Health and Safety Code Section 103625, counties can charge for vital records services. Tulare County posts its fee schedule online. Check the website for the most recent rates before you apply for a marriage license in Visalia.

The image shows the California CDPH online ordering page at cdph.ca.gov where Visalia residents can order certified copies of marriage records through authorized vendors.

Resources for Visalia Residents

Visalia residents can use several resources when planning a marriage or searching for marriage records. Local and state agencies provide information and services.

Central California Legal Services serves low-income residents with free legal help. They can answer questions about marriage, name changes, and family law. Visit centralcallegal.org or call (559) 570-1200 to see if you qualify. The organization has an office in Visalia and can help with marriage-related legal issues.

The California Courts self-help center has forms and guides for marriage and family law topics. Go to courts.ca.gov/selfhelp to find information about changing your name after marriage, updating records, and other common questions. Visalia residents can download forms or order printed copies.

The image shows the California CDPH forms page at cdph.ca.gov where Visalia residents can find applications for certified copies and amendment forms for marriage records.

Nearby California Cities

Several large California cities are within driving distance of Visalia. Each has a population over 100,000 and uses its county system for marriage licenses.

• Fresno (Fresno County)
• Clovis (Fresno County)
• Bakersfield (Kern County)
• Modesto (Stanislaus County)