Marin County Marriage License Information
Marriage license applications in Marin County go through the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office located at the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael. A public marriage license costs $85 and a confidential one runs $93. You and your partner must visit the office together with valid photo ID to complete your application. The office phone number is 415-473-6772 if you need to ask questions about the process in Marin County. Civil ceremonies performed by county staff cost $56 and can be scheduled when you apply for your license.
Marin County Marriage License Facts
Where to Apply in Marin County
The Marin County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office sits at Room 234 of the Marin County Civic Center at 3501 Civic Center Drive in San Rafael. This office handles all marriage license work for the county. The building is easy to spot with its distinctive Frank Lloyd Wright design. It is one of the most recognizable government buildings in the Bay Area.
You can reach the office by phone at 415-473-6772. The main website is arcc.marincounty.gov. Office hours are posted on the website and may change during holidays or special events. Most county services run Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Parking is available at the Civic Center.
Marin County is a smaller county compared to its neighbors like San Francisco and Sonoma. About 260,000 people live here. The county clerk office processes a few thousand marriage licenses each year. The staff is used to working with couples from all over the Bay Area who want to get married in Marin County because of its scenic locations and convenient office access from San Francisco and the North Bay.
Marriage License Requirements
Both people must show up at the Marin County Clerk office at the same time to apply for a marriage license. You cannot send someone else to pick up your license. California law under Family Code Sections 350-360 requires both parties to appear in person and sign the application together. This rule applies in every California county including Marin County.
Bring a valid photo ID for each person. A driver license works best. You can also use a passport, military ID, or state ID card. The clerk will check your ID and ask for basic information like your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and social security number. If either person was married before, you must say when and how that marriage ended.
There is no blood test required in California. That requirement was dropped in 1995. There is also no waiting period once you get your license. You can have your ceremony the same day if you want. Most couples wait a few days or weeks to plan their wedding, but the license is valid as soon as it is issued in Marin County.
You do not need to be a California resident to get married here. Couples from other states or countries can apply for a marriage license in Marin County. Your marriage will be legal in California and recognized in other states once it is properly registered. The county clerk office handles applications from residents and non-residents the same way.
How Much It Costs
A public marriage license in Marin County costs $85. A confidential marriage license costs $93. You pay when you apply in person. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Make sure you bring enough to cover the full fee for the type of license you want.
If you want the county to perform your civil ceremony, that adds $56 to your total cost. Civil ceremonies are short and simple. A deputy clerk officiates. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes. You can bring a few guests if you want. Check with the office for current rules on guest numbers and ceremony scheduling in Marin County.
After your marriage is registered, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate. Each copy costs extra. The fee is set by California law under Health and Safety Code Section 103625. Most couples order at least one or two certified copies for legal purposes like name changes or updating insurance.
Using Your Marriage License
Your marriage license is good for 90 days from the date it is issued in Marin County. Have your ceremony within that time or the license expires. If you miss the 90-day window, you need to apply again and pay the fee again. This is a statewide rule in California.
After your ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Marin County Clerk office within 10 days. The officiant keeps one part of the license. You keep another part. The county gets the official filed copy. Once it is filed, your marriage becomes part of the legal record in California.
Make sure your officiant knows how to properly complete and file the license. If they do not return it to the county on time, your marriage will not be registered. You might need to contact the county clerk office to sort things out if your officiant forgets to file the paperwork in Marin County.
Choosing a License Type
Marin County offers public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license is the standard option. After your ceremony, the marriage becomes part of the public record. Anyone can look it up or request a certified copy from the county or from the California Department of Public Health.
A confidential license stays private. Only the couple can get certified copies. California created confidential marriage licenses under Family Code Sections 500-511 for couples who value privacy. To qualify for a confidential license, you must be living together as a married couple at the time you apply in California. No witnesses are required at the ceremony for confidential licenses.
Public licenses need at least one witness over age 18 at the ceremony. The witness signs the license along with the officiant. Most couples ask a friend or family member to serve as the witness. You do not need to name your witness when you apply for the license in Marin County. You just need to have one present on your wedding day.
Marin County Marriage Resources
The Marin County website has detailed information about marriage licenses and ceremonies. Visit arcc.marincounty.gov/services/marriage-birth-and-death/applying-marriage-license to read about the application process. The site includes forms, fee schedules, and contact information for the county clerk office.
If you need certified copies of a marriage certificate from Marin County, you can request them in person, by mail, or through third-party services like VitalChek. The website explains each option. In-person requests are fastest. Mail requests take longer but work fine if you are not in a hurry.
The California Department of Public Health also maintains marriage records for public marriages that occurred before 2000 or after 2007. For marriages in the years 2000 through 2007, you must go through the county. The state website is cdph.ca.gov if you need older records or want to order from the state level.
Other Things to Know
California requires that the officiant who performs your ceremony return the signed marriage license to the county clerk within 10 days. The officiant must be authorized to perform marriages in California. This includes clergy, judges, and others listed under California Family Code. Make sure your officiant is properly authorized before your ceremony in Marin County.
If you plan to change your name after marriage, you will need certified copies of your marriage certificate. Most government agencies and financial institutions require a certified copy to process name changes. Order a few copies when you pick up your certificate from the Marin County Clerk office or through the mail after your marriage is registered.
Marriage licenses in California do not require a blood test or waiting period. You can have your ceremony the same day you get your license if you want. The 90-day validity period gives you plenty of time to plan your wedding, but some couples prefer to marry right away. Both options are fine under California law.
Note: Fees and procedures may change. Always check the Marin County Clerk website or call the office before you visit to confirm current information.
Nearby Counties
Marin County is in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. If you live near the county line, you might find it easier to visit a neighboring county's clerk office. You can apply for a marriage license in any California county. Your marriage is legal statewide once it is registered.
Counties near Marin County include: