Napa County Marriage License Services
Marriage licenses in Napa County are handled by the Recorder-County Clerk office at 1127 1st Street in the city of Napa. A public marriage license costs $93 and appointments are required to apply. Both people must visit the office together and bring valid photo IDs. Civil ceremonies are available for $67 if you want the county to perform your wedding. The office phone number is 707-253-4247 for questions or to schedule your appointment in Napa County.
Napa County Marriage License Facts
Napa County Clerk Office
The Napa County Recorder-County Clerk office is at 1127 1st Street, Suite A, in the city of Napa. This is the only office that handles marriage licenses for the entire county. The office is in downtown Napa near the county administration building. Parking is available nearby.
Call 707-253-4247 to schedule your appointment or ask questions about the marriage license process. The main website is napacounty.gov. Check the website for current office hours and appointment availability before you plan your visit to Napa County.
Napa County is known for its wine country. About 140,000 people live here. The county attracts many couples who want to get married in scenic vineyard locations. The county clerk office processes a steady flow of marriage license applications throughout the year, with peak times during wedding season from spring through fall.
Scheduling Your Appointment
Napa County requires appointments for all marriage license applications. You cannot walk in without an appointment. Call the office at 707-253-4247 to book your appointment time. Both people must attend the same appointment together. California law under Family Code Sections 350-360 requires both parties to appear in person and sign the application at the same time in Napa County.
When you call to schedule, the office will tell you what documents to bring. You need a valid photo ID for each person. A driver license is the most common form of ID. You can also use a passport or state ID card. The clerk will ask for your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and social security number when you arrive for your appointment.
If either person was married before, you must provide information about when and where that marriage ended. The clerk needs this to verify that you are legally free to marry. Bring any relevant documents like a divorce decree or death certificate if you have them, though most counties do not require you to present proof at the time of application in California.
Appointments usually last about 20 minutes. The office tries to stay on schedule, so arrive on time. If you are late, you might need to reschedule your appointment in Napa County. Bring all required documents and payment to avoid delays.
Cost of Marriage Licenses
A public marriage license in Napa County costs $93. You pay this fee when you appear for your appointment at the clerk office. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Make sure you bring enough to cover the full fee when you visit.
If you want a civil ceremony performed by the county, that costs an additional $67. The ceremony is simple and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. A deputy clerk officiates. You can bring a small number of guests. Ask about ceremony scheduling and guest limits when you apply for your license in Napa 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.
How to Use Your License
Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued in Napa County. You must have your wedding ceremony within that time or the license expires. If you do not marry within 90 days, you need to apply again and pay the fee again. This is a statewide rule that applies in all California counties including Napa County.
After your ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the Napa 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 the proper procedure for completing and filing the license. If they do not return it on time, your marriage will not be registered. You might need to contact the Napa County Clerk office to check on the status of your filing if you do not hear back within a few weeks after your ceremony.
Note: The license does not become a marriage certificate until after the ceremony and filing. You cannot use it as proof of marriage until the county processes the filed license and issues a marriage certificate.
Choosing Your License Type
Napa County offers public marriage licenses. A public license becomes part of the public record after your ceremony. Anyone can look up the record or request a certified copy from the county or from the California Department of Public Health. Public licenses require at least one witness over age 18 at the ceremony. The witness signs the license along with the officiant.
California also offers confidential marriage licenses under Family Code Sections 500-511. Confidential licenses stay private. Only the couple can get certified copies. 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. Check with the Napa County Clerk office about confidential license availability and fees.
Most couples choose public licenses. They cost less and the process is straightforward. Confidential licenses are good for couples who value privacy and meet the living-together requirement. Both types of licenses are equally valid under California law. The main difference is public access to the record after the marriage is registered.
Wedding Ceremony Options
The Napa County Clerk office performs civil wedding ceremonies for $67. These are short and simple ceremonies officiated by a deputy clerk. The ceremony takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You can bring a small number of guests. Check with the office for current rules on guest numbers and ceremony scheduling in Napa County.
Many couples who get married in Napa County choose to have their ceremony at a private venue like a winery or resort. If you use a private officiant, make sure they are authorized to perform marriages in California. Your officiant must be registered or authorized under California Family Code. This includes clergy, judges, and others with legal authority to officiate weddings.
After the ceremony, your officiant must complete the marriage license and return it to the Napa County Clerk office within 10 days. The officiant should be familiar with this process. Most professional officiants know how to properly file marriage licenses in California. If your officiant is a friend or family member who got ordained online, make sure they understand their filing obligations.
Certified Copies of Marriage Certificates
After your marriage is registered, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Napa County Clerk office. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through third-party services. VitalChek is an authorized online vendor for California vital records. The VitalChek website charges a service fee on top of the county fee.
If you want to order by mail, send a written request to the Napa County Recorder-County Clerk at 1127 1st Street, Suite A, Napa, CA 94559. Include your full names, the date of marriage, and a copy of your photo ID. Enclose a check or money order for the fee. Mail orders take longer than in-person or online requests but work fine if you are not in a hurry.
In-person orders are the fastest way to get certified copies in Napa County. Go to the office with your ID and request copies at the counter. If your marriage was recently filed, there may be a short wait while the record is processed. Most marriages are fully registered within a few days after the signed license is returned to the county clerk office.
You will need certified copies for many legal purposes after marriage. This includes changing your name on government documents, updating insurance policies, and other official business. Order a few copies when you pick up your certificate or shortly after your marriage is registered in Napa County.
More Information
The Napa County website has detailed information about marriage licenses and ceremonies. Visit the county clerk page for forms, fee schedules, and contact information. The website is a good place to check current hours and appointment availability before you call or visit the office.
California does not require a blood test or waiting period for marriage licenses. 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.
If you need older marriage records from Napa County, contact the county clerk office. For public marriages that occurred before 2000 or after 2007, you can also request copies from the California Department of Public Health. The state website is cdph.ca.gov for state-level vital records requests.
Nearby Counties
Napa County is in the North Bay region of California. 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 Napa County include: