Colusa County Marriage License Information

Marriage license applications in Colusa County require an appointment at the County Clerk office located at 546 Jay Street, Suite 200, in Colusa. The marriage license fee is $198, which is notably higher than most California counties, and civil ceremony services cost an additional $95. Payment must be made with cash or check only since credit and debit cards are not accepted at this office. Both individuals must appear together in person with valid photo identification to complete their application. Call 530-458-0500 to schedule your appointment and ask questions about current requirements. California law requires that all marriage licenses be used within 90 days of issuance.

Colusa County Clerk Office

The County Clerk office is at 546 Jay Street, Suite 200, in Colusa. This is the only location that issues marriage licenses for all of Colusa County. Colusa is the county seat. The office is open during regular business hours on weekdays. Phone is 530-458-0500. You must call to schedule an appointment before visiting.

The Colusa County Clerk marriage licenses and civil ceremonies page provides information about the appointment process and requirements. Colusa County is one of California's smallest counties with a population under 22,000 people. The clerk office serves cities and communities including Colusa, Williams, Arbuckle, and Princeton.

Walk-ins are not accepted for marriage license applications. You must have an appointment. Both people need to come at the same time. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes once you arrive. Bringing all required documents and the correct payment method ensures a smooth visit to the Colusa County Clerk office.

Appointment Required

Colusa County requires appointments for marriage license applications. You cannot walk in without an appointment. Call 530-458-0500 to schedule. The office will work with you to find a time that fits your schedule. Most appointments are available during regular business hours on weekdays.

When you call to make your appointment, staff will tell you what documents to bring and what payment methods are accepted. They can also answer questions about the application process and fees. Having an appointment helps the office manage its workload and ensures you receive prompt service when you arrive in Colusa County.

Cash or Check Only

Colusa County does not accept credit cards or debit cards for marriage license fees. You must pay with cash or a personal check. This payment policy is clearly stated on the county website. Make sure to bring the right payment method when you visit for your appointment.

Personal checks must have your name and address printed on them. Make the check payable to Colusa County Clerk. The exact amount is $198 for a marriage license. If you book a civil ceremony, that is an extra $95 paid separately. Bringing exact change for cash payments helps speed up the process in Colusa County.

How to Apply

Both people must appear together at your scheduled appointment. You cannot apply alone or send someone else. Bring valid photo ID for each person such as a driver license, passport, or state ID card. The clerk will verify 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 Colusa County.

California does not require blood tests or waiting periods. You get your license at your appointment. 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 Colusa County.

Marriage License Fees

The marriage license fee is $198 in Colusa County. This is the highest fee among most California counties. The fee covers both public and confidential marriage licenses. Some couples find the fee worth it because Colusa County is a small rural county with a charming courthouse and personalized service.

Civil ceremony fees are separate from license fees. The clerk office charges $95 for a civil wedding ceremony. This is also higher than most California counties. Contact the office at 530-458-0500 to confirm current fees before you schedule your appointment. Fees can change from year to year based on county policy and state law.

Marriage License Requirements

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 Colusa 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 Colusa County.

Note: Both people must apply in person together at your scheduled appointment.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

Colusa County issues both types of licenses for the same $198 fee. Most couples choose a public marriage license. 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 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. Both types have full legal validity in Colusa County and California. You cannot change from one type to another after the license is issued.

Civil Wedding Ceremonies

The Colusa County Clerk office performs civil ceremonies for $95. Ceremonies are available by appointment during regular business hours. You can schedule your ceremony when you pick up your marriage license or by calling the office later at 530-458-0500. Civil ceremonies must be scheduled in advance.

Civil ceremonies in Colusa County are short and formal. A deputy clerk officiates and reads a standard ceremony script. Both people exchange vows. You can invite a small number of guests to watch. The ceremony lasts about 10 minutes. No music, flowers, or decorations are provided. Many couples prefer civil ceremonies for their simplicity.

Filing Your Marriage License

Your officiant must sign the marriage license immediately after the ceremony. The officiant then has 10 days to return the signed license to the Colusa County Clerk office. This filing creates the permanent marriage record. Without proper filing, your marriage is not legally recorded in California.

Most officiants know the filing requirements and handle this step without problems. Some couples follow up with their officiant a few days after the wedding to confirm the license was filed. Once the clerk office receives and processes the signed license, the marriage becomes part of the county's vital records system in Colusa County.

Certified Marriage Certificate Copies

After your marriage is filed, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Colusa County Clerk office. Certified copies are needed for name changes, insurance benefits, tax purposes, and other legal matters. 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 Colusa County.

For older marriage records, you can also order copies from the California Department of Public Health. State copies cost $19 each through CDPH Vital Records. The state maintains marriage records for most years. Orders can be placed by mail or online through VitalChek for California marriages.

California Marriage License Laws

Marriage license requirements are set by California state law. County clerks follow these laws when processing applications in Colusa 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. 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 in Colusa County and throughout California.

Nearby California Counties

Colusa County is located in the Sacramento Valley. It borders other counties with their own clerk offices and fee schedules for marriage licenses.

Glenn County, Butte County, Sutter County, Yolo County, Lake County