Find Humboldt County Marriage License Records

Humboldt County marriage license applications are processed at the Clerk-Recorder office located on the fifth floor at 825 5th Street in Eureka, where couples can apply for both public and confidential marriage licenses with a cash-only payment requirement for the license fees. Public marriage licenses cost $78 and confidential licenses cost $80, making Humboldt County one of the more affordable counties in Northern California for obtaining a marriage license. The Humboldt County Clerk office serves residents and non-residents alike, with both people required to appear together in person at the Eureka office to complete the application process and receive their marriage license valid for 90 days throughout California.

Humboldt County Clerk Location

The Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder office is at 825 5th Street on the fifth floor in Eureka. This is the main county office building. All marriage license services for Humboldt County are handled from this single location. The office serves people from Arcata, Fortuna, McKinleyville, and other communities throughout the county.

You can visit the office during regular business hours. Call (707) 445-7593 if you have questions before you go. The clerk staff can tell you what documents to bring and answer basic questions about the marriage license process. The county's website at humboldtgov.org has information about marriage licenses and other clerk services available in Humboldt County.

Parking is available near the county office building in downtown Eureka. Some street parking is metered, so bring coins or use a parking app if needed. The clerk office is accessible by public transit and on foot from most downtown locations in Eureka.

Note: The Humboldt County Clerk only accepts cash for marriage license fees, so plan accordingly before your visit.

Applying for a Marriage License

Both people must appear in person at the clerk office in Eureka. Bring valid photo identification for each person. A driver license, passport, state ID, or military ID works. The clerk will verify your identities and ask questions to fill out the marriage license application. The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes from start to finish in Humboldt County.

The application asks for basic information. You need 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 and place where that marriage ended. The clerk may ask for details about previous marriages to verify that you are legally able to marry again under California law.

After completing the application, you pay the license fee. Public licenses cost $78 and confidential licenses cost $80. The office only accepts cash for the license fee. Bring exact change or small bills to make payment easier. Once you pay, the clerk prints your marriage license. You receive the physical document immediately. It is valid for 90 days from that date anywhere in California.

The online application portal is at humboldtgov.org where you can learn more about the application process and what to bring to your appointment in Humboldt County.

Make sure both people are present when you visit the clerk office. The clerk cannot issue a license if only one person shows up. Both people must appear together under California Family Code rules for marriage licenses in all counties.

Cash Only for License Fees

Humboldt County requires cash for marriage license fees. Credit cards, debit cards, and checks are not accepted for licenses. This is important to know before you visit the clerk office in Eureka. Bring $78 in cash for a public license or $80 for a confidential license.

The cash-only policy applies only to marriage license fees. Other services at the clerk office may accept different payment methods. If you forget to bring cash, there are banks and ATMs near the county building in downtown Eureka where you can withdraw money before going to the clerk office on the fifth floor.

Marriage License Costs

A public marriage license costs $78 in Humboldt County. A confidential license costs $80. These are among the lower fees in Northern California. The fee covers processing your application and issuing the license document. It does not include ceremony fees if you want the county to perform your wedding.

If you need certified copies of your marriage certificate after the ceremony, you can request them from the Humboldt County Clerk office. Copy fees vary but typically cost $15 to $20 per certified copy. You can order copies in person, by mail, or sometimes online depending on the county's available services.

For marriages that occurred in years when the state has records, you can also order copies from the California Department of Public Health. The state charges $19 per copy but does not have records for all years. Check the California Department of Public Health website to see if your marriage year is available from the state or if you need to request copies from Humboldt County instead.

Public and Confidential Licenses

Humboldt County issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license costs $78. After your wedding, the license becomes part of the public record. Anyone can request a copy from the county clerk or the state vital records office in California.

A confidential license costs $80 in Humboldt County. The record stays private. Only the two people who got married can obtain 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 for a confidential ceremony. The officiant signs the license and files it, but it does not become public under California Family Code Section 509.

Many couples choose confidential licenses for privacy reasons. Public licenses are more common and may be easier to use if you need to prove your marriage to government agencies or financial institutions. Both types are fully legal. You cannot change from one type to the other after the license is issued in Humboldt County.

Who Can Get a Marriage License

Both people must be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license in Humboldt County. If someone is under 18, a court order is required in California. No blood test is needed. California stopped requiring blood tests in 1995. You do not need to be a resident of Humboldt County or California. People from any state or country can apply for a marriage license here.

You must apply in person together. Both people need to be present at the clerk office. You cannot send someone else to apply for you. The clerk will verify your identities and ask questions that only you can answer. If either person was married before, be ready to provide the date and place where that marriage ended.

Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the issue date. You must have your wedding ceremony within those 90 days. If the license expires before your ceremony, you need to apply again and pay another fee. Make sure you plan your wedding date before getting the license in Humboldt County.

After Your Wedding Ceremony

The person who performs your ceremony must complete and sign your marriage license. This is usually a judge, clergy member, or other authorized officiant. The officiant has 10 days after the ceremony to return the completed license to the Humboldt County Clerk office in Eureka. This is a California state law requirement under the Family Code.

Once the license is filed, your marriage becomes an official record. The county clerk processes the filed license and adds it to the permanent vital records database. This usually takes a few days to a few weeks depending on how quickly the officiant returns the license and how busy the clerk office is in Humboldt County.

After the license is filed, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate. These are the official documents you use to change your name on a driver license, social security card, passport, or other legal documents. Order extra copies if you need to update multiple records at the same time. It is easier to get several copies at once than to request them separately later in Humboldt County.

How to Get Certificate Copies

You can request certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Humboldt County Clerk office at 825 5th Street in Eureka. Call (707) 445-7593 to ask about the current copy fee and how to submit your request. Some counties allow in-person requests, mail requests, and online requests. Check with the clerk office to see what options are available in Humboldt County.

In-person requests are usually processed within a few days. Bring valid photo ID and be ready to pay the copy fee. Mail requests take longer. Allow two to three weeks if you order by mail. Online requests through third-party services like VitalChek may have extra fees but can be faster than mail in some cases.

Nearby California Counties

Humboldt County borders several other California counties. Each county has its own clerk office with different fees and procedures. You can apply for a marriage license in any California county regardless of where you live or plan to have your ceremony.

Del Norte County, Siskiyou County, Trinity County, Mendocino County