Santa Cruz County Marriage Licenses

Santa Cruz County marriage license applications must be filed with the County Clerk office at 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, in Santa Cruz. Both people need to come in together to apply for a license, which costs $90 for a public license and includes options for civil ceremonies at $120. The Santa Cruz County Clerk processes all marriage license requests for the entire county and maintains records that later become part of California's vital records system. Cash and checks are the only payment methods accepted because the office does not take credit or debit cards for marriage licenses.

Santa Cruz County Clerk Office

The County Clerk office sits in downtown Santa Cruz at 701 Ocean Street, Room 310. This is the only location that issues marriage licenses for all of Santa Cruz County. You must visit this office in person to apply. Phone is 831-454-2060. The office serves all cities and towns across the county from Watsonville to Scotts Valley to Capitola.

Walk-ins are welcome at this office during business hours. Some couples call ahead to ask questions about the application process or to check on current wait times. The clerk staff can tell you what documents to bring and how long the process takes. Most appointments finish in about 20 to 30 minutes once you arrive. The office can get busy during lunch hours and late afternoons in Santa Cruz County.

Staff at the Santa Cruz County Clerk office know California marriage license laws well. They guide each couple through the application. You fill out forms at the office. Both people answer questions about their personal information. Then you pay the fee and get your license. The whole process happens in one visit in most cases.

Cash or Check Only

Santa Cruz County does not accept credit cards or debit cards for marriage license fees. You must pay with cash or a personal check. This is different from many other California counties that take card payments. Make sure to bring enough cash if you do not plan to use a check.

The Santa Cruz County Clerk marriage licenses page lists this payment policy clearly on the website. Some couples find out about the cash-only rule when they arrive at the office. Bringing the right payment method saves time. There are ATMs near the county building if you need cash in Santa Cruz.

Personal checks must have your name and address printed on them. The office does not take business checks or third-party checks. Make the check out to Santa Cruz County. The exact amount is $90 for a public marriage license. If you book a civil ceremony, that is an extra $120 paid separately in Santa Cruz County.

How to Apply

Both people must go to the clerk office together. You cannot apply alone. Bring valid photo ID like a driver license, passport, or state ID card. The clerk will check your identification and verify your age. Both people must be at least 18 years old to marry without a court order in California.

The clerk provides forms at the office. You do not fill them out in advance. Staff will ask for your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and social security number. If either person was married before, you must state when and where that marriage ended. No documents proving a prior divorce are usually needed, but the clerk may ask for them in some cases in Santa Cruz County.

California does not require blood tests or waiting periods. You can get your license the same day you apply. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. This means your wedding ceremony must happen within 90 days. If the 90 days pass, the license expires and you must apply again with a new fee in Santa Cruz County.

Note: The license does not become an official marriage record until after your ceremony and the officiant files it with the county clerk.

Public Marriage License Records

Most couples in Santa Cruz County choose a public marriage license. These licenses cost $90. After the ceremony, the marriage becomes a public record. Anyone can request a certified copy from the county clerk or from the state vital records office later. Public records are standard in California.

You need one witness at your wedding ceremony if you get a public license. The witness must be at least 18 years old. The witness signs the license along with the officiant after the ceremony. Then the officiant returns the signed license to the Santa Cruz County Clerk within 10 days. This filing makes your marriage official in California.

Confidential Marriage Option

Santa Cruz County also issues confidential marriage licenses. These licenses do not become public records. Only the two people who got married can obtain 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 for a confidential marriage ceremony under California Family Code Section 500. The officiant signs and files the license, but it stays sealed. Other people cannot access the record unless they get a court order. Confidential licenses offer privacy for couples who want it in Santa Cruz County.

The fee for a confidential license is the same as a public license at $90. Some couples pick confidential licenses for personal reasons. Others prefer public licenses because they are easier to use if you need certified copies from the state later. Both types are legally valid in California.

Civil Wedding Ceremonies

The Santa Cruz County Clerk performs civil ceremonies at the clerk office. The fee is $120 per ceremony. This is higher than many other California counties. Ceremonies happen during regular office hours by appointment. You must schedule your ceremony when you pick up your marriage license or by calling the office later.

Civil ceremonies in Santa Cruz County last about 10 minutes. A deputy clerk officiates and reads a standard ceremony script. Both people exchange vows. You can bring a small number of guests. The ceremony is simple and formal. No music, flowers, or other decorations are provided. Many couples choose civil ceremonies for convenience or budget reasons.

Certified Marriage Certificate Copies

After your wedding, the officiant files your marriage license with the Santa Cruz County Clerk office. Once filed, your marriage becomes an official record. You can order certified copies from the clerk office in person or by mail. The office processes requests and issues certified certificates that show proof of marriage.

Certified copies are needed for name changes, insurance benefits, tax filings, and other legal purposes. You can also order copies from the California Department of Public Health if your marriage was more than a year ago. State copies cost $19 each through CDPH Vital Records. Orders through the county clerk may process faster in Santa Cruz County.

Who Can Get Married in California

Both people must be at least 18 years old. Minors under 18 need a court order to marry in California. No blood test is required. No residency requirement exists. People from any state or country can get a marriage license in Santa Cruz County.

You must apply in person as a couple. The clerk will not accept applications by mail or from one person alone. Both people need valid government-issued photo ID. Social security numbers are required but you do not need the physical card. If you were married before, you must know the date your prior marriage ended, but divorce papers are not usually required at the time of application in Santa Cruz County.

Nearby California Counties

Santa Cruz County borders other counties in the Central Coast and Bay Area regions. Each county clerk sets its own fees and procedures for marriage licenses.

Monterey County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, San Benito County