Find San Bernardino County Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in San Bernardino County are processed through the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office, which serves the largest county by area in California with over two million residents spread across more than 20,000 square miles. You can apply for a marriage license at two permanent office locations in San Bernardino and Joshua Tree, plus a mobile unit that visits communities throughout the county on a regular schedule. Public marriage licenses cost $89 and civil ceremonies cost $65 in San Bernardino County, and couples can start their application online before visiting an office to complete the process.
San Bernardino County Marriage License Facts
San Bernardino County Clerk Offices
The Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk office in San Bernardino County operates two permanent locations. The main office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. A second office serves the High Desert region in Joshua Tree. The county also runs a mobile unit that travels to different communities on a set schedule to help people in remote areas of San Bernardino County.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, typically 8am to 5pm. You should make an appointment before visiting. Call 909-387-8306 to schedule or ask questions. The main website at arc.sbcounty.gov/marriage has details about all locations and services. San Bernardino County covers a huge area, so the mobile unit provides an important service for residents who live far from the main offices.
The mobile marriage license unit visits cities like Needles, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, and other communities throughout the month. Check the county website for the mobile unit schedule. The mobile unit offers the same services as the permanent offices in San Bernardino County.
How to Start Your Application
San Bernardino County offers an online application system at arcselfservice.sbcounty.gov. Both people must fill out the form together. The form asks for your full name, birth date, birthplace, and social security number. You also provide details about any prior marriages and when they ended.
After you complete the online form, you schedule an appointment at one of the office locations or with the mobile unit. Both people must attend the appointment together. The system shows available dates and times. Pick one that works for both of you. Write down your confirmation number. You will need it at your appointment in San Bernardino County.
The online form stays valid for a limited time. Plan to schedule your appointment soon after you submit the form. If too much time passes, you may need to start over in San Bernardino County.
Your Office Visit
Both people must appear together at the San Bernardino County office or mobile unit for your scheduled appointment. Bring a valid photo ID for each person. Driver licenses, state ID cards, and passports all work. The clerk reviews your online application and verifies the information. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes at most locations in San Bernardino County.
You pay the license fee at the appointment. The fee is $89 for a public marriage license. San Bernardino County accepts credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash. Once you pay, the clerk prints your marriage license. You leave with the physical license document. It expires 90 days from that date under California Family Code Section 359.
Your wedding ceremony must happen within those 90 days. The license has multiple parts. One copy stays with you as the couple. Another copy goes to your officiant, who must file it with the county within 10 days after the ceremony. Make sure your officiant knows to file the license on time. If it is not filed, your marriage will not become an official record in San Bernardino County.
Note: The mobile unit offers the same services as the permanent offices in San Bernardino County.
Marriage License Fees
San Bernardino County charges $89 for a public marriage license. This fee covers the full application and processing. The county does not currently list a separate confidential license fee on its website, so check with the office if you want a confidential license in San Bernardino County.
Civil ceremony fees are $65 in San Bernardino County. You can pay for the license and ceremony at the same time or get your license first and schedule the ceremony later. Some couples prefer to have a private ceremony instead of using the county service.
The San Bernardino County marriage page lists current fees and requirements. After your wedding, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate. The first certified copy usually costs around $25. Each additional copy in the same order costs less. You can order copies in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online in San Bernardino County.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
The San Bernardino County Clerk performs civil ceremonies at both permanent office locations and sometimes through the mobile unit. The ceremony fee is $65. Ceremonies are available during regular business hours Monday through Friday. You book your ceremony when you pick up your license or by calling the office later in San Bernardino County.
A typical civil ceremony takes 5 to 10 minutes. The deputy clerk reads a standard ceremony script. Both people say their vows. You can exchange rings if you want. A small number of guests can usually attend. Check with your specific location about guest limits and any other rules for civil ceremonies in San Bernardino County.
Many couples choose civil ceremonies because they are simple and affordable. The ceremony is legally valid just like any other wedding in California. After the ceremony, the clerk signs your marriage license and files it with the county recorder. Your marriage becomes official at that point in San Bernardino County.
Who Can Get a Marriage License
Both people must be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license in San Bernardino County. If someone is under 18, a court order is required. No blood test is needed. California eliminated the blood test requirement in 1995. You do not need to be a resident of San Bernardino County or California. Anyone from any state or country can get a marriage license in San Bernardino County.
Both people must apply in person together. You cannot send someone else to apply for you. Each person needs valid photo ID. The clerk asks for your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and social security number. If you were married before, you must state when and where that marriage ended. Divorce decrees are not usually required, but the clerk may ask for proof in some cases in San Bernardino County.
Marriage licenses expire 90 days from the date of issue under California law. You must have your wedding ceremony within that time, or you will need to apply for a new license in San Bernardino County.
Public and Confidential Licenses
San Bernardino County issues public marriage licenses for $89. After the ceremony and filing, the record becomes public. Anyone can request a copy of a public marriage certificate from the county or from California state vital records.
Confidential marriage licenses are also available in San Bernardino County. These records do not become public. Only the two people who got married can request copies later. To qualify for a confidential license, both people must be living together as a married couple when they apply under California Family Code Section 500. No witness is required at the ceremony for a confidential marriage.
Some couples choose confidential licenses for privacy. Others prefer public licenses because they are more common. Both types are equally legal in California. You cannot switch from one type to the other after the license is issued in San Bernardino County.
Certified Marriage Certificate Copies
After your wedding ceremony, your officiant files the marriage license with the San Bernardino County Recorder office. This usually happens within 10 days of the ceremony. Once filed, the marriage becomes an official California vital record. You can then order certified copies from the Recorder office in San Bernardino County.
Certified copies are available in person at the Recorder office or by mail. You can also order online through VitalChek, which adds extra service fees. In-person requests are usually processed the same day or within a few business days. Mail requests take longer. Allow two to three weeks for mail orders in San Bernardino County.
For older marriages, the Recorder office has records going back many decades. Some very old records are stored in archives and take longer to retrieve. If you need a copy of a marriage certificate from many years ago, allow extra time in San Bernardino County.
Major Cities in San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County includes several large cities. All marriage licenses for these cities are issued by the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. Cities do not issue marriage licenses in California.
Cities in San Bernardino County with populations over 100,000: San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, Rialto, Hesperia
Nearby California Counties
San Bernardino County borders several other California counties. Each county has its own clerk office with different fees and procedures.