Marriage License Records in Butte County

Marriage license applications in Butte County must be completed at the Clerk-Recorder office located at 155 Nelson Avenue in Oroville, where public marriage licenses cost $99 and confidential licenses are priced at $110. Both individuals must appear in person together with valid photo identification to complete the application, and the office serves all areas of Butte County including Chico, Paradise, and Oroville. Call 530-552-3400 for questions about office hours, current fees, or specific requirements. California law sets a 90-day validity period for all marriage licenses, meaning your wedding ceremony must take place within that window from the issue date.

Butte County Clerk-Recorder Office

The office is at 155 Nelson Avenue in Oroville. This is the only location that issues marriage licenses for all of Butte County. Oroville is the county seat. The office is open during regular business hours on weekdays. Phone is 530-552-3400. Staff can answer questions about the application process and what documents to bring.

The Butte County Clerk-Recorder marriage licenses page provides details about requirements and procedures. The office serves cities and communities across Butte County including Chico, Paradise, Gridley, Biggs, and Oroville. All marriage licenses for these areas come from the clerk-recorder office in Oroville. You must visit this office in person to apply.

Both people need to come at the same time. Online applications and mail applications are not available for marriage licenses in Butte County. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes once you arrive. Bringing all required documents and the right payment method makes the visit go faster.

Applying for a Marriage License

Both people must appear together at the clerk-recorder office. You cannot apply alone or send someone else. Bring valid photo ID for each person. A driver license, passport, or state ID card works. The clerk verifies your identity and age during the application. Both people must be at least 18 years old to marry without a court order in California.

The clerk provides forms at the office. You do not fill them out ahead of time. Staff will ask for your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and social security number. If either person was married before, you state when and where that prior marriage ended. No documents proving a divorce are usually needed at the time of application in Butte County.

California does not require blood tests or waiting periods. You get your license the same day you apply in most cases. The license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. Your wedding ceremony must take place within that 90-day period. After 90 days, the license expires and you must apply again with a new fee in Butte County.

Marriage License Fees

A public marriage license costs $99 in Butte County. A confidential marriage license costs $110. These fees are set by the county and can change from year to year. The fees cover license issuance and filing after your ceremony. Payment methods include cash, checks, and credit cards at the clerk-recorder office.

Contact the office at 530-552-3400 to confirm current fees before you visit. Some counties charge extra for civil ceremony services if they offer them. Ask the Butte County office about ceremony fees and availability. Civil ceremony fees are separate from license fees in most California counties.

Who Can Get Married in California

Both people must be at least 18 years old. Minors under 18 need a court order to get a marriage license in California. No blood test is needed. No residency requirement exists. You do not have to live in Butte County or California to apply here.

Valid government-issued photo ID is required for each person. Social security numbers are needed but you do not have to bring the physical cards. If you were married before, you must know the date and place where that marriage ended. The clerk may ask for divorce papers in some situations, but this is not always required at the time of application in Butte County.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

Butte County issues both types of licenses. Most couples choose a public marriage license for $99. After the ceremony, the marriage becomes a public record. Anyone can request a certified copy from the county clerk or from the state vital records office later. Public licenses require one witness at the wedding ceremony in California.

Confidential marriage licenses cost $110 and do not become public records. Only the two people who married can get copies later. To qualify for a confidential license, both people must be living together as a married couple when they apply. No witness is needed at the ceremony for a confidential marriage under California Family Code Section 500.

The officiant signs and files the license after the ceremony, but it stays sealed from public view. Other people cannot access the record unless they get a court order. Some couples pick confidential licenses for privacy. Both types have full legal validity in Butte County and California. You cannot change from one type to another after the license is issued.

After Your Wedding Ceremony

Your officiant must sign the marriage license immediately after the ceremony. The officiant then has 10 days to return the signed license to the Butte County Clerk-Recorder office. This filing makes your marriage official and creates the permanent record in California.

Most officiants know the filing requirements. Some couples check with their officiant a few days after the wedding to make sure the license was filed. Once the clerk-recorder office receives and processes the signed license, the marriage becomes part of the county's vital records system in Butte County.

Note: Without proper filing, your marriage is not legally recorded even if the ceremony took place.

How to Get Certified Copies

After your marriage is filed, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Butte County Clerk-Recorder office. Certified copies are needed for legal purposes like name changes, insurance benefits, and tax filings. You can apply in person at the office or by mail.

The office charges a fee for each certified copy. Processing time depends on whether you apply in person or by mail. In-person requests are usually completed the same day. Mail requests take longer. Allow one to two weeks for mail orders in Butte County.

For older marriage records, you can also order copies from the California Department of Public Health. State copies cost $19 each. You can apply through CDPH Vital Records or use VitalChek online. The state maintains marriage records for most years. County copies may process faster if you need them soon.

Civil Wedding Ceremonies

Check with the Butte County Clerk-Recorder office to see if they perform civil ceremonies. Some county clerk offices offer this service while others do not. If available, civil ceremonies are short and formal. A deputy clerk officiates and reads a standard script. The ceremony lasts about 10 to 15 minutes.

If the clerk office does not perform ceremonies, you need to hire a private officiant. Many officiants operate in Butte County and Northern California. You can find them through online searches or referrals. Make sure your officiant is registered with the state and knows how to file the marriage license properly after the ceremony in California.

California Marriage License Laws

Marriage license requirements are set by California state law. County clerks follow these laws when processing applications in Butte County. The California Family Code governs how licenses are issued, how long they remain valid, and who can marry.

California Family Code Sections 350 through 360 cover marriage license issuance requirements. These sections explain ID requirements, license validity periods, and return procedures. California Health and Safety Code Section 103525 addresses certified copy issuance for vital records including marriage certificates.

Confidential marriages are authorized under California Family Code Sections 500 through 511. These provisions allow couples who live together to marry without witnesses and without creating a public record. Access to confidential marriage records is restricted by California Family Code Section 511 in Butte County and throughout California.

Cities in Butte County

Butte County includes several cities and towns. All marriage licenses for these areas are issued by the Butte County Clerk-Recorder office in Oroville. Cities do not issue marriage licenses in California.

The city of Chico has a population over 100,000. Other communities in the county include Oroville, Paradise, Gridley, Biggs, and Magalia.

Nearby California Counties

Butte County is located in Northern California. It borders other counties with their own clerk offices and fee schedules for marriage licenses.

Glenn County, Tehama County, Plumas County, Yuba County, Sutter County, Colusa County