Inyo County Marriage License Services

Marriage license applications in Inyo County are processed by the Clerk-Recorder office at 168 N. Edwards Street in Independence, offering public marriage licenses for $57, one of the lowest fees in California. The office performs civil ceremonies for $34, making Inyo County an affordable option for couples seeking marriage services in the Eastern Sierra and Death Valley region. Serving approximately 19,000 residents across California's second-largest county by area, Inyo County issues marriage licenses under the same state regulations that apply throughout California.

Inyo County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Inyo County Clerk-Recorder office is at 168 N. Edwards Street in Independence, CA 93526. This is the only location that issues marriage licenses in Inyo County. You can call 760-878-0224 to ask questions about marriage license applications, office hours, or civil ceremony scheduling before visiting Independence.

Independence is a small town in the Owens Valley. The town sits between the Sierra Nevada to the west and the Inyo Mountains to the east. Independence serves as the county seat of Inyo County. The area is remote. The nearest larger towns are Bishop to the north and Lone Pine to the south. Plan your visit carefully if you are traveling from outside the region.

The Inyo County Clerk-Recorder website provides general information about the office and its services. The marriages page has details about marriage license requirements and fees. Check the website before visiting to confirm current office hours in Inyo County.

Marriage License Information

Information about marriage licenses and ceremonies is available on the Inyo County marriages page. The website explains the application process, fees, and what documents you need to bring. Both people must appear in person together at the clerk-recorder office. You cannot apply online or by mail for a marriage license in California.

Call 760-878-0224 if you have questions not covered on the website. The clerk-recorder staff can tell you about office hours, accepted payment methods, and civil ceremony availability. Getting information ahead of time helps ensure your visit goes smoothly when you arrive in Inyo County.

Applying for Your License

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

The clerk asks for basic information during the application. You provide your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and social security number. If either person was married before, you must give the date, location, and how that marriage ended. Divorce decree details or death certificate information may be requested in some cases in Inyo County.

The application process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The clerk reviews your information and prepares the marriage license document. You pay the license fee at the end. Inyo County charges $57 for a public marriage license. This is one of the lowest fees in California. Ask about confidential license fees and accepted payment methods when you visit Inyo 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 Inyo County Clerk-Recorder performs civil marriage ceremonies for $34. This is one of the lowest ceremony fees in California. Many counties charge $50 to $100 or more. The affordable ceremony makes Inyo County attractive for couples on a budget or those who want a simple legal marriage in Inyo County.

Civil ceremonies are brief. They take 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-recorder office about guest limits and ceremony scheduling in Inyo County.

You can book a ceremony when you pick up your marriage license or call later to schedule it. Ceremonies are typically available during regular office hours. The clerk signs and files the license immediately after a civil ceremony at the county office. This means your marriage record is processed without delay in Inyo County.

Note: Call ahead to schedule your ceremony time in Inyo County.

Public and Confidential Licenses

Inyo County issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license costs $57. After filing, it becomes a public record. Anyone can request a copy from the county or state vital records office. Public licenses require at least one witness age 18 or older to sign the license at the ceremony in California.

Confidential marriage licenses are also available in Inyo County. To qualify for a confidential license, both people must be living together as a married couple when they apply. This requirement is set by California Family Code Section 500. Confidential records are not public. Only the married couple can get copies later under Section 511.

Confidential licenses do not need a witness at the ceremony. The officiant signs the license and returns it to Inyo County. The record stays confidential except by court order. Most couples choose public licenses. They are more common and typically cost less in California.

Marriage License Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license in Inyo County without parental consent. People under 18 need a court order from a California superior court. No blood test is required. California eliminated the blood test requirement in 1995.

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

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

After Your Wedding

The person who performs your 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 Inyo County Clerk-Recorder office. This is required by California Health and Safety Code Section 102525.

If you marry at the clerk-recorder office, the deputy clerk files the license right away. If you use a private officiant elsewhere, make sure they understand the 10-day filing deadline. Late filing can delay your official marriage record in Inyo County.

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

Contact the Inyo County Clerk-Recorder at 760-878-0224 to request certified copies. Most counties charge $15 to $25 per certified copy. Ask about ordering methods and current fees when you call Inyo County.

California Marriage Law

State law governs how Inyo County handles marriage licenses. The California Family Code contains most marriage laws. 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 statutes apply uniformly throughout California.

Inyo County has no authority to change state marriage laws. The county sets local fees within state limits and manages office procedures, but must follow all state requirements. This ensures marriage licenses work consistently across California, whether issued in Inyo County or any other county.

About Inyo County

Inyo County is in the Eastern Sierra Nevada and Great Basin region. The county covers about 10,000 square miles, making it California's second-largest county by area. Population is only about 19,000. Independence is the county seat. Other communities include Bishop, Lone Pine, Big Pine, and Death Valley across Inyo County.

The county includes part of Death Valley National Park. Death Valley is one of the hottest places on Earth. The county also includes high Sierra Nevada peaks over 14,000 feet. This extreme elevation range creates diverse landscapes and climates in Inyo County.

Highway 395 runs north-south through the Owens Valley. This is the main route through Inyo County. Highway 190 crosses east-west through Death Valley. The area attracts tourists for outdoor recreation including hiking, climbing, and sightseeing. Some couples choose Inyo County for destination weddings in unique desert or mountain settings.

Cities in Inyo County

Inyo County has the incorporated city of Bishop. No cities in Inyo County have populations over 100,000. All marriage licenses for the county are issued by the Inyo County Clerk-Recorder office in Independence. Cities do not issue marriage licenses in California.

Nearby California Counties

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

Mono County, Tulare County, Fresno County, Kern County, San Bernardino County