Mono County Marriage License Information

Marriage licenses in Mono County are issued by the County Clerk office located at 74 N. School Street in Bridgeport, California's second-smallest county by population, serving about 14,000 residents. Public marriage licenses cost $82 in Mono County, while confidential licenses are $93, both following California state law requirements. The county sits in the Eastern Sierra Nevada region near popular destinations like Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite's east entrance, attracting couples who want to marry in mountain settings while following the same statewide regulations that govern all California marriage licenses.

Mono County Clerk Office

The Mono County Clerk office is at 74 N. School Street in Bridgeport, CA 93517. This is the only location that issues marriage licenses in Mono County. Call 760-932-5530 to ask questions about the application process, office hours, or requirements before visiting Bridgeport.

Bridgeport is a small town in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. The town sits at about 6,500 feet elevation in a high mountain valley. It serves as the county seat for Mono County. Bridgeport is remote. The nearest large towns are Mammoth Lakes to the south and Carson City, Nevada to the north. Plan your visit carefully if you are traveling from far away.

The Mono County Clerk website provides contact information and general office details. Check the website before your visit to confirm current office hours and any special instructions. Mountain weather can affect travel to Bridgeport. Winter brings heavy snow. Roads may close during storms in Mono County.

Marriage License Application Information

Information about applying for a marriage license is available on the Mono County marriage license application page. The website explains requirements and what to bring. Both people must appear in person together at the clerk office. You cannot apply online or by mail for a marriage license in California.

Call 760-932-5530 if you have questions not covered on the website. The clerk staff can tell you about current office hours, accepted payment methods, and what identification to bring. Getting information ahead of time helps ensure your visit goes smoothly when you arrive in Mono County.

How to Apply

Both people must visit the Mono County Clerk office together to apply for a marriage license. Bring valid photo identification for each person. A driver license, passport, or state-issued ID card works. Out-of-state licenses 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 and location where that marriage ended. The clerk may ask for divorce decree details or death certificate information in some cases in Mono 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 of the appointment. Mono County charges $82 for a public marriage license and $93 for a confidential license in California.

Ask about accepted payment methods when you call or visit. Some rural counties accept only cash or checks. Others take credit and debit cards. Confirm payment options before your visit to Mono County.

Note: You get your marriage license immediately after payment in Mono County.

Using Your Marriage License

Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. This is a statewide rule in California. You must have your wedding ceremony within that 90-day period. If the license expires before your ceremony, you need to apply again and pay another fee in Mono County.

The license is valid throughout California. You can have your ceremony anywhere in the state after getting the license from Mono County. Many couples get their license in one county and marry in another. This is common in California.

The person who performs your ceremony must complete the officiant section of the 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 Mono County Clerk office. This filing is required by California Health and Safety Code Section 102525.

Public and Confidential Licenses

Mono County issues both types of marriage licenses. A public marriage license costs $82. 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.

A confidential marriage license costs $93 in Mono 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 Mono County. The record stays confidential except by court order. Most couples choose public licenses. They are more common and easier to use for future certified copy requests in California.

Marriage License Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to marry in Mono 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 Mono 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 Mono County. The license is valid throughout California after issuance from Mono County.

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

Marriage Certificate Copies

After your ceremony, the officiant returns the signed marriage license to the Mono County Clerk office. The office processes the filing and enters your marriage into official records. You can then request certified copies of your marriage certificate from Mono County.

Contact the clerk office at 760-932-5530 to ask about ordering certified copies. Most California counties charge between $15 and $25 per certified copy. You may be able to order in person, by mail, or online depending on what systems Mono County uses. Certified copies include the official county seal and clerk signature in California.

The California Department of Public Health also maintains marriage records for certain years. However, they cannot provide records for the years 2000-2007. For those years, you must get copies from the county where the license was issued. Confidential marriage records are never sent to the state and remain with Mono County only.

California Marriage Statutes

State law controls how Mono 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.

Mono 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 Mono County or any other county.

About Mono County

Mono County is in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. The county covers about 3,000 square miles with a population near 14,000. Bridgeport is the county seat. Other communities include Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, Lee Vining, and Benton across Mono County.

Most of the county sits at high elevation. Mountains dominate the landscape. Mono County includes parts of Yosemite National Park on the east side of the Sierra Nevada. The area attracts tourists for skiing, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities year round in Mono County.

Highway 395 runs north-south through the county. This is the main route through the Eastern Sierra. Highway 120 and Highway 158 provide access to mountain areas and Yosemite. Winter weather closes some roads. Plan travel carefully during snow season in Mono County.

Cities in Mono County

Mono County has the incorporated town of Mammoth Lakes. No cities in Mono County have populations over 100,000. All marriage licenses for the county are issued by the Mono County Clerk office in Bridgeport. Cities do not issue marriage licenses in California.

Nearby California Counties

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

Alpine County, Tuolumne County, Madera County, Fresno County, Inyo County