Calaveras County Marriage Records

Marriage license applications in Calaveras County are handled by the County Clerk-Recorder office at 891 Mountain Ranch Road in San Andreas, where couples can apply for public marriage licenses at $70 or confidential licenses at $80. The office also performs civil marriage ceremonies for $50 at the San Andreas location, making it a convenient one-stop option for couples who want both their license and ceremony at the county facility. Calaveras County serves approximately 45,000 residents across California's Gold Country and processes several hundred marriage licenses annually under state regulations.

Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder office is at 891 Mountain Ranch Road in San Andreas, CA 95249. This is the only location that issues marriage licenses in Calaveras County. You can call 209-754-6372 to ask questions or schedule an appointment if needed. Some counties require appointments while others accept walk-ins during regular business hours.

San Andreas is the county seat of Calaveras County. The town sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills along State Route 49, the historic Gold Rush highway. The clerk-recorder office is in the county government center complex. Parking is available near the building. Plan extra time if you visit during busy periods in Calaveras County.

The Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder website provides information about office hours, services, and marriage license requirements. Check the website before visiting to confirm current hours and any special instructions. County offices sometimes close for lunch or have modified hours on certain days in Calaveras County.

Marriage License Information Online

The Calaveras County marriage license page explains the application process and lists what documents you need to bring. Both people must appear together in person at the clerk-recorder office. You cannot apply online or by mail for a marriage license in California.

Review the website information before your visit. Make sure you understand what identification to bring and how much the fees are. Knowing what to expect makes the process faster when you arrive at the Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder office. You can also call 209-754-6372 if you have questions not answered on the website.

Applying for Your License

Both people must visit the Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder office together to apply for a marriage license. Bring valid photo identification. A California driver license, passport, or state ID card works. Out-of-state licenses are also accepted. Each person needs their own ID in Calaveras County.

The clerk will ask for basic information. You need to know your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and social security number. If either person was married before, you must provide the date, location, and how that marriage ended. The clerk may ask for divorce decree details or death certificate information in some cases under California law.

The application process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The clerk reviews your answers and prepares the marriage license document. You pay the fee before leaving. Calaveras County charges $70 for a public marriage license and $80 for a confidential license. Payment options may include cash, checks, and credit or debit cards. Ask about accepted payment methods when you arrive in Calaveras County.

You receive your marriage license immediately after payment. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Your wedding ceremony must take place within that 90-day period in California.

Civil Marriage Ceremonies

The Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder performs civil marriage ceremonies for $50. This is a separate fee from the marriage license cost. You can book a ceremony when you pick up your license or schedule it for a later date. Ceremonies are typically available during regular office hours at the San Andreas location in Calaveras County.

Civil ceremonies are brief. They usually last 5 to 10 minutes. The deputy clerk reads a standard ceremony script required by California law. Both people say their vows and exchange rings if they wish. A small number of guests may attend. Check with the clerk office about guest limits and what is allowed during ceremonies in Calaveras County.

Many couples choose civil ceremonies because they are affordable and convenient. You get your license and complete your marriage in one visit. The clerk signs and files the license immediately after the ceremony, so your marriage record is processed without delay in Calaveras County.

Note: If you want a civil ceremony, mention it when you apply for your license in Calaveras County.

Public and Confidential Licenses

Calaveras County issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license costs $70. After filing, it becomes a public record. Anyone can request a copy. Public licenses require at least one witness age 18 or older to sign the license at the ceremony in California.

A confidential license costs $80 in Calaveras County. To qualify for a confidential license, both people must be living together as a married couple when they apply. This requirement comes from California Family Code Section 500. Confidential marriage records are not public. Only the married couple can get copies later under Section 511.

Confidential licenses do not require a witness at the ceremony. The officiant signs the license and returns it to the Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder office. The record stays confidential. Courts can order release of confidential records, but ordinary members of the public cannot access them in California.

Most couples choose public licenses. They cost less in Calaveras County and are more familiar to most people. Confidential licenses offer privacy but have stricter access rules that may complicate future requests for certified copies.

Marriage License Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license in Calaveras County without parental consent. People under 18 need a court order from a California superior court. No blood test is required. California stopped requiring blood tests for marriage in 1995.

You do not need to live in Calaveras County or California to get a license here. People from any state or country can apply. The license is valid throughout California. You can have your ceremony anywhere in the state after getting the license from Calaveras County.

California Family Code Sections 300-360 establish the basic rules for marriage licenses. Section 350 specifically covers the application process. These state laws apply uniformly across California. Calaveras County follows the same requirements as every other county in the state.

After Your Wedding Ceremony

The person who performs your wedding ceremony must complete the officiant section of the marriage license immediately after the ceremony. This includes the date, location, and officiant signature. The officiant then has 10 days to return the completed license to the Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder office under California Health and Safety Code Section 102525.

Once the clerk office receives and processes the license, your marriage becomes an official record. You can then order certified copies of your marriage certificate. These certified copies show the official seal and signature. You need certified copies for legal purposes like changing your name, updating benefits, or immigration applications in California.

Contact the Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder at 209-754-6372 to request certified copies. Most counties charge between $15 and $25 per certified copy. You may be able to order in person, by mail, or online depending on county systems in Calaveras County.

Note: Make sure your officiant knows to file the license within 10 days in Calaveras County.

California Marriage Laws

California law governs how Calaveras County handles marriage licenses. The main statutes are in the California Family Code and Health and Safety Code. Family Code Sections 300-536 cover marriage requirements, license types, ceremonies, and record keeping in California.

Health and Safety Code provisions also apply to marriage records. Section 103525 explains certified copy issuance. Section 103526 lists who can obtain marriage certificates. Section 103625 addresses vital records fees. These laws apply throughout California.

Counties like Calaveras have no authority to change state marriage laws. The county sets local fees and office hours, but must follow all state requirements. This consistency means your Calaveras County marriage license works the same as a license from any other California county.

About Calaveras County

Calaveras County is in the central Sierra Nevada foothills. The county covers about 1,000 square miles with a population near 45,000. San Andreas is the county seat. Other communities include Angels Camp, Murphys, Arnold, and Copperopolis across Calaveras County.

The area is part of California's historic Gold Country. Mark Twain made Calaveras County famous with his story about the jumping frog of Calaveras County. Today the region attracts tourists who visit caves, historic sites, wineries, and outdoor recreation areas. Highway 49 and Highway 4 are the main routes through the county.

Cities in Calaveras County

Calaveras County has several small incorporated cities including Angels Camp. None of these cities have populations over 100,000. All marriage licenses for Calaveras County are issued by the County Clerk-Recorder office in San Andreas. Cities do not issue marriage licenses in California.

Nearby California Counties

Calaveras County borders several other counties. Each county has its own clerk-recorder office with different marriage license fees and procedures.

San Joaquin County, Amador County, Alpine County, Tuolumne County, Stanislaus County