Mariposa County Marriage Licenses

Marriage license services in Mariposa County are provided by the County Clerk office at 4982 10th Street in Mariposa, where public licenses cost $60 and confidential licenses are $65, both requiring CASH ONLY payment. The office performs civil ceremonies for $30, making it one of the most affordable ceremony options in California. Located near Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County serves approximately 17,000 residents and attracts many couples who want to marry in the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills under California law.

Mariposa County Clerk Office

The Mariposa County Clerk office is at 4982 10th Street in Mariposa, CA 95338. This is the only location that issues marriage licenses in Mariposa County. Call 209-966-2007 to ask questions or confirm office hours before visiting. The office is in the county courthouse complex in downtown Mariposa.

Mariposa is a small historic town in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The town sits on Highway 140, which leads to Yosemite National Park. Many visitors pass through Mariposa on their way to Yosemite. The county seat location makes it convenient for couples planning Yosemite area weddings to get their marriage license in Mariposa County.

Plan to bring cash for your marriage license fee. Mariposa County requires CASH ONLY payment. No checks, no credit cards, no debit cards. Make sure you have enough cash to cover both the license fee and ceremony fee if you plan to marry at the clerk office. There is an ATM in town if you need to withdraw cash before your visit to Mariposa County.

Marriage License Requirements

The Mariposa County Clerk website provides information about marriage license services. You can review requirements and fees before visiting. Both people must appear in person together at the clerk office. You cannot apply online or by mail for a marriage license in California.

Details about civil ceremonies are available on the Mariposa County marriage licenses and civil ceremonies page. The website explains the $30 ceremony fee and what to expect during a civil ceremony at the county clerk office. Review this information before your visit to Mariposa County.

Call 209-966-2007 if you have questions not covered on the website. The clerk staff can tell you current office hours and confirm what identification to bring. Getting information ahead of time makes the process go faster when you arrive in Mariposa County.

Applying for a License

Both people must visit the Mariposa County Clerk office together to apply for a marriage license. Bring valid photo identification. A driver license, passport, or state ID works. Out-of-state IDs are accepted. You need to prove you are at least 18 years old 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. The clerk may ask for divorce or death details in some cases in Mariposa County.

The application takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The clerk reviews your information and prepares the marriage license document. You pay the fee in cash at the end. Public licenses cost $60. Confidential licenses cost $65. Remember to bring exact cash or close to it. The clerk office may have limited change available in Mariposa County.

You get your marriage license right away after payment. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Your wedding ceremony must happen within that 90-day period in California.

Note: CASH ONLY for all marriage license fees in Mariposa County.

Civil Marriage Ceremonies

The Mariposa County Clerk performs civil marriage ceremonies for $30 cash. This is one of the lowest ceremony fees in California. Many counties charge $50 to $100 or more. The affordable ceremony makes Mariposa County attractive for couples on a budget or those who want a simple legal marriage in Mariposa County.

Civil ceremonies are short. They take 5 to 10 minutes. The deputy clerk reads a standard ceremony script required by California law. Both people say their vows. You can exchange rings if you wish. A small number of guests may attend. Check with the clerk office about guest limits when you book your ceremony in Mariposa County.

You can schedule a ceremony when you pick up your marriage license or call later to book it. Ceremonies are 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 Mariposa County.

Public or Confidential Licenses

Mariposa County issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license costs $60 cash. After filing, it becomes a public record. Anyone can request a copy from the county or state. Public licenses require at least one witness age 18 or older to sign at the ceremony in California.

A confidential license costs $65 cash in Mariposa County. To qualify for a confidential license, both people must be living together as a married couple when they apply. This requirement comes from 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 Mariposa County. The record stays confidential. Courts can order release of confidential records, but ordinary members of the public cannot access them in California.

Most couples choose public licenses in Mariposa County. They cost less and are more familiar. Confidential licenses offer privacy but have stricter access rules for future certified copy requests.

Eligibility Requirements

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

You do not need to live in Mariposa County or California. You do not need to be a United States citizen. People from any state or country can apply for a marriage license in Mariposa County. The license is valid throughout California. You can have your ceremony anywhere in the state after getting the license from Mariposa 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. Mariposa County follows the same requirements as every other county in the state.

After Your Wedding Ceremony

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 Mariposa County Clerk office. This is required by California Health and Safety Code Section 102525.

If you marry at the county clerk 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 Mariposa County.

Once the clerk 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 Mariposa County Clerk at 209-966-2007 to request certified copies. Most counties charge $15 to $25 per certified copy. Ask about ordering methods and fees when you call Mariposa County.

California Marriage Law

State law governs how Mariposa 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 throughout California.

Mariposa County has no authority to change state marriage laws. The county sets local fees and payment methods, but must follow all state requirements. This ensures marriage licenses work consistently across California, whether issued in Mariposa County or any other county.

About Mariposa County

Mariposa County is in the central Sierra Nevada foothills. The county covers about 1,450 square miles with a population near 17,000. Mariposa is the county seat. Other small communities include Coulterville, Greeley Hill, and Midpines across Mariposa County.

Mariposa County serves as the main gateway to Yosemite National Park from the west. Highway 140 runs through the county into Yosemite Valley. Many tourists pass through Mariposa on their way to the park. The county offers lodging, restaurants, and services for Yosemite visitors. Some couples choose Mariposa County for destination weddings near Yosemite.

The region has historic Gold Rush sites. Mariposa was one of California's original 27 counties formed in 1850. The courthouse in Mariposa is California's oldest courthouse still in use. The area attracts visitors interested in history and outdoor recreation in Mariposa County.

Cities in Mariposa County

Mariposa County has no incorporated cities. All communities are unincorporated areas. Mariposa serves as the county seat and main town. All marriage licenses for the county are issued by the Mariposa County Clerk office in Mariposa.

Nearby California Counties

Mariposa County borders several other counties. Each has its own clerk office with different marriage license fees and procedures.

Tuolumne County, Madera County, Merced County, Fresno County