Lake County Marriage License Services

Marriage licenses in Lake County are issued by the County Clerk office at 255 North Forbes Street, Floor 2, in Lakeport, where public marriage licenses cost $70 and confidential licenses are priced at $80. Payment must be made with cash only since the office does not accept checks, credit cards, or debit cards for marriage license transactions. Both people must appear together in person with valid photo identification to complete the application process. Call 707-263-2311 for questions about office hours and specific requirements. Lake County serves communities around Clear Lake including Lakeport, Clearlake, and other areas throughout this scenic Northern California county.

Lake County Clerk Office

The County Clerk office is at 255 North Forbes Street, Floor 2, in Lakeport. This is the only location that issues marriage licenses for all of Lake County. Lakeport is the county seat. The office is open during regular business hours on weekdays. Phone is 707-263-2311. Staff can answer questions about the application process and what documents to bring.

The Lake County Clerk marriage licenses page provides details about requirements and procedures. Lake County is known for Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake entirely within California. The clerk office serves cities and communities including Lakeport, Clearlake, Middletown, Kelseyville, and Lucerne. All marriage licenses for these areas come from the office in Lakeport.

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 Lake County. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes once you arrive. Bringing cash for payment is essential.

Cash Only Payment Policy

Lake County requires cash payment for marriage license fees. The office does not accept checks, credit cards, or debit cards. This is a strict policy stated clearly on the county website. Make sure to bring enough cash when you visit for your application.

The exact amount is $70 for a public marriage license or $80 for a confidential license. Bring exact change if possible to speed up the process. There are banks and ATMs in downtown Lakeport if you need to get cash before your visit to the Lake County Clerk office. Planning ahead for the cash-only requirement saves time and ensures you can complete your application without delays.

Applying for a Marriage License

Both people must appear together at the clerk office. 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 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 Lake County.

California does not require blood tests or waiting periods. You get your license the same day you apply. 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 Lake County.

Marriage License Fees

A public marriage license costs $70 in Lake County. This is one of the lower fees in California. A confidential marriage license costs $80. These fees are set by the county and can change from year to year. The fees cover license issuance and filing after your ceremony.

Contact the office at 707-263-2311 to confirm current fees before you visit. Remember that payment must be in cash. No other payment methods are accepted at the Lake County Clerk office for marriage license transactions.

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 Lake 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 Lake County.

Note: Both people must apply in person together at the clerk office.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

Lake County issues both types of licenses. Most couples choose a public marriage license for $70. 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 $80 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 Lake 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 Lake County Clerk 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 office receives and processes the signed license, the marriage becomes part of the county's vital records system in Lake 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 Lake County Clerk 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 Lake 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 Lake County Clerk 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 Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake County and throughout California.

Additional Resources

The California Department of Public Health maintains marriage records at the state level. You can contact CDPH Vital Records for information about ordering state copies of marriage certificates. The state office can provide certified copies for marriages that are more than a year old in most cases.

For questions about California marriage laws, you can consult with a family law attorney. Local legal aid organizations may offer free or low-cost advice for couples with specific questions about marriage requirements in Lake County.

Nearby California Counties

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

Mendocino County, Glenn County, Colusa County, Yolo County, Napa County, Sonoma County