San Diego County Marriage Licenses
Marriage license records in San Diego County are issued through the Assessor-Recorder-Clerk office, which operates four locations across the county to serve over three million residents. Both people must appear in person to apply, and you can start the process by filling out an online application at the county's dedicated marriage portal before visiting one of the four offices. Public marriage licenses cost $129 and confidential licenses cost $144 in San Diego County. The county also offers civil ceremonies for $107, and all marriage records become part of California's official vital records system after filing.
San Diego County Marriage License Facts
San Diego County Clerk Offices
The Assessor-Recorder-Clerk office in San Diego County has four locations where you can apply for a marriage license. The main office sits at 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260, in downtown San Diego. All four offices process marriage license applications and perform civil ceremonies. Most people choose the location closest to where they live or work.
Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, but you must make an appointment first. Walk-ins are not accepted at any San Diego County location. The online appointment system shows available slots at each of the four offices. You can reach the main office by calling 619-237-0502. Check the website at sdarcc.gov for current hours and directions to each location in San Diego County.
San Diego County was one of the early California counties to modernize its marriage license process. The online application system launched several years ago and has made the process much faster for couples in San Diego County.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
You can start your marriage license application online through the San Diego County online portal. Both people need to complete the form together. The form asks for your full name, birth date, birthplace, and social security number. You also list any prior marriages and when they ended. The whole form takes most couples 10 to 15 minutes to fill out.
After you submit the online form, you pick an appointment time at one of the four office locations. Both people must attend the appointment together. The system uses TimeTrade for scheduling. Select a date and time that works for both of you. Print your confirmation or save the confirmation number. You will need it when you arrive in San Diego County.
The online form stays valid for a limited time, so plan to schedule your appointment within 30 days of submitting it. If too much time passes, you may need to fill out the form again in San Diego County.
Note: You must complete the application before arriving at the office in San Diego County.
Your In-Person Appointment
Both people must appear together at the San Diego County office for your scheduled appointment. Bring a valid photo ID for each person. Driver licenses, state ID cards, and passports all work. The staff will review your online application and verify the information. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes at most locations in San Diego County.
You pay the license fee during your appointment. The fee is $129 for a public marriage license or $144 for a confidential license. San Diego County accepts credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash. Once you pay, the clerk prints your marriage license right there. You leave with the physical license document. It expires 90 days from the date of issue under California law.
Your marriage ceremony must happen within those 90 days. The license has multiple copies. One goes to you as the couple. Another goes to your officiant, who must file it with the county within 10 days after the ceremony. Make sure your officiant knows this rule. If the license is not filed properly, your marriage will not become an official record in San Diego County.
Marriage License Fees and Costs
San Diego County sets its own marriage license fees. A public marriage license costs $129. A confidential license costs $144. These fees are higher than some other California counties but cover the full license process.
Civil ceremony fees are separate from license fees. If you want the county clerk to perform your wedding ceremony, the fee is $107. Some couples pay for the license and ceremony at the same time. Others get the license first and have a private ceremony later in San Diego County.
After your wedding, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Recorder office. The first certified copy usually costs around $25. Each additional copy in the same order costs less. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through online services like VitalChek in San Diego County.
The full San Diego County marriage license page lists all current fees and requirements. Fees can change from year to year, so check the official website before you apply in San Diego County.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
The San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk performs civil ceremonies at all four office locations. The ceremony fee is $107. Ceremonies are scheduled during regular business hours Monday through Friday. You book your ceremony when you pick up your license or by calling the office after you get your license in San Diego 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, but it is optional. A small number of guests can attend at most locations. Check with your specific office about guest limits. No decorations, music, or special requests are allowed during civil ceremonies in San Diego County.
Many couples choose civil ceremonies for simplicity. Others prefer them because they cost less than hiring a private officiant. 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 moment in San Diego County.
Public and Confidential Licenses
San Diego County issues two types of marriage licenses. Most couples get a public license for $129. 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 cost $144 in San Diego 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. No witness is required at the ceremony for a confidential marriage under California Family Code Section 500.
Some couples choose confidential licenses for privacy. Others prefer public licenses because they are more common and easier to obtain copies of later. Both types are equally legal under California law. You cannot switch from one type to the other after the license is issued in San Diego County.
Who Can Get a Marriage License
Both people must be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license in San Diego 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 Diego County, California, or even the United States. Anyone can get a marriage license in San Diego County regardless of where they live.
Both people must apply in person together. You cannot send someone else to apply on your behalf. Valid photo identification is required for each person. 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. In most cases, you do not need to bring a divorce decree or death certificate, but the clerk may ask for proof in some situations in San Diego County.
Marriage licenses expire 90 days from the date of issue under California Family Code Section 359. You must have your wedding ceremony within those 90 days, or you will need to apply for a new license in San Diego County.
Certified Marriage Certificate Copies
After your wedding ceremony, your officiant files the marriage license with the San Diego 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 Diego County.
Certified copies are available in person at the Recorder office or by mail. You can also order online through VitalChek, which is the state's authorized online vendor for vital records. Online orders include extra service fees. In-person requests are usually processed the same day or within a few business days in San Diego 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 for the search in San Diego County.
Major Cities in San Diego County
San Diego County includes several large cities. All marriage licenses for these cities are issued by the San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk office. Cities do not issue marriage licenses in California.
Cities in San Diego County with populations over 100,000: San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon
Nearby California Counties
San Diego County borders several other California counties. Each county has its own clerk office with different fees and procedures.