Shasta County Marriage License Applications

Marriage license applications in Shasta County are handled by the County Clerk office at 1450 Court Street, Suite 108, in downtown Redding. Public marriage licenses cost $72 and confidential licenses run $77, making Shasta County one of the more affordable options in Northern California for couples planning to marry. Both applicants must appear together in person with valid photo identification, and payment must be made with cash, preprinted checks, or money orders since credit and debit cards are not accepted. The office serves all cities and communities throughout Shasta County including Redding, Anderson, and Red Bluff.

Shasta County Clerk Office

The County Clerk office is in the Shasta County Courthouse at 1450 Court Street, Suite 108, in Redding. This is the sole location that issues marriage licenses for all of Shasta County. The office is open during regular business hours on weekdays. Phone is 530-225-5730. Staff can answer questions about the application process and current requirements.

The Shasta County Clerk marriage services page provides information about what to bring and how to apply. Redding is the county seat. The office serves cities and towns including Anderson, Red Bluff, Shasta Lake, and surrounding communities. All marriage licenses for these areas come from the clerk office in Redding.

You must visit the office in person to apply. Both people need to come at the same time. Online applications and mail applications are not available for marriage licenses in Shasta County. The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes once you arrive. Bringing the right documents and payment method speeds things up.

Cash, Check, or Money Order Only

Shasta County does not accept credit cards or debit cards for marriage license fees. You must pay with cash, a preprinted personal check, or a money order. This payment policy is clearly stated on the county website. Make sure to bring the right payment method when you visit.

Personal checks must have your name and address preprinted on them. Temporary checks and starter checks are not accepted. Business checks and third-party checks are also not allowed. Make the check or money order payable to Shasta County Clerk. The exact amount is $72 for a public marriage license or $77 for a confidential license.

If you plan to pay cash, bring the exact amount or be prepared to receive change. There are banks and ATMs near the courthouse in downtown Redding if you need to get cash before your visit to the Shasta County Clerk office.

How to Apply

Both people must go to the clerk office together. You cannot apply alone or send someone else. Bring valid photo ID for each person such as a driver license, passport, or state ID card. The clerk will verify your identity and age during the application. 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 ahead of time. 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 prior marriage ended. No documents proving a prior divorce are usually needed, but the clerk may ask for them in some cases in Shasta County.

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

Marriage License Requirements

Both people must be at least 18 years old. Minors under 18 need a court order to get a marriage license in California. No blood test is needed. No residency requirement exists. You do not have to live in Shasta County or California to apply here.

Valid government-issued photo ID is required for each person. Social security numbers are needed but you do not have to bring the physical cards. If you were married before, you must know the date and place where that marriage ended. The clerk may ask for divorce papers in some situations, but this is not always required at the time of application in Shasta County.

Note: Both people must apply in person together at the clerk office.

Public Marriage License Records

Most couples in Shasta County choose a public marriage license. These licenses cost $72. 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 the standard type 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. The officiant then returns the signed license to the Shasta County Clerk office within 10 days. This filing makes your marriage official in California.

Confidential Marriage Option

Shasta County also issues confidential marriage licenses for $77. These licenses do not become public records. Only the two people who 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 from public access. Other people cannot get copies unless they have a court order. Confidential licenses offer privacy for couples who want it in Shasta County.

The confidential license costs $5 more than a public license. Both types have full legal validity in California. You cannot change from one type to another after the license is issued. Some couples pick confidential licenses for personal reasons. Others prefer public licenses because they are easier to use when ordering copies from the state later.

Filing Your Marriage License

Your officiant must sign the marriage license immediately after the ceremony. The officiant then has 10 days to return the signed license to the Shasta County Clerk office. This filing creates the permanent marriage record. Without proper filing, your marriage is not legally recorded in California.

Most officiants know the filing requirements and handle this step without problems. Some couples follow up with their officiant a few days after the wedding to confirm the license was filed. Once the clerk office receives and processes the signed license, the marriage becomes part of the county's vital records system in Shasta County.

Certified Marriage Certificate Copies

After your marriage is filed, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Shasta County Clerk office. Certified copies are needed for name changes, insurance benefits, tax purposes, and other legal matters. You can apply in person at the office or by mail.

The office charges a fee for each certified copy. Processing time depends on whether you apply in person or by mail. In-person requests are usually completed the same day. Mail requests take longer. Allow one to two weeks for mail orders in Shasta County.

For older marriage records, you can also order copies from the California Department of Public Health. State copies cost $19 each through CDPH Vital Records. The state maintains marriage records for most years. Orders can be placed by mail or online through VitalChek for California marriages.

Civil Wedding Ceremonies

Check with the Shasta County Clerk office to see if they perform civil ceremonies. Some county clerk offices offer this service while others do not. If available, civil ceremonies are short and formal. A deputy clerk officiates and reads a standard script. The ceremony lasts about 10 to 15 minutes.

If the clerk office does not perform ceremonies, you need to hire a private officiant. Many officiants operate in Shasta County and Northern California. You can find them through online searches or referrals. Make sure your officiant is registered with the state and knows how to file the marriage license properly after the ceremony in California.

California Marriage License Laws

Marriage license requirements are set by California state law. County clerks follow these laws when processing applications in Shasta County. The California Family Code governs how licenses are issued, how long they remain valid, and who can marry.

California Family Code Sections 350 through 360 cover marriage license issuance requirements. California Health and Safety Code Section 103525 addresses certified copy issuance for vital records including marriage certificates. Confidential marriages are authorized under California Family Code Sections 500 through 511 in Shasta County and throughout California.

Nearby California Counties

Shasta County is located in Northern California. It borders other counties with their own clerk offices and fee schedules for marriage licenses.

Tehama County, Siskiyou County, Modoc County, Lassen County, Trinity County