Tuolumne County Marriage License Services

Marriage licenses in Tuolumne County are issued by the County Clerk office located on the third floor at 2 South Green Street in Sonora, the county seat, with public licenses priced at $65 and confidential licenses at $83. Tuolumne County offers a unique feature that draws couples from across California: a FREE "Hitching Post" Wedding Chapel where civil ceremonies are performed at no charge, making it one of the most affordable places to get married in the state. The county serves about 55,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothills and processes hundreds of marriage licenses each year under California law.

Tuolumne County Clerk Location

The Tuolumne County Clerk office is at 2 South Green Street, 3rd floor, in Sonora, CA 95370. This is the only office that issues marriage licenses in Tuolumne County. You can reach the clerk by phone at 209-533-5573 to ask questions about the application process and requirements.

Sonora sits in the heart of California's Gold Country. The town grew during the Gold Rush and remains the commercial center for Tuolumne County today. The county clerk office is in the courthouse building on South Green Street. Look for parking near the courthouse in downtown Sonora.

The Tuolumne County Clerk website provides information about office hours, marriage license fees, and the Hitching Post Wedding Chapel. Review the website before your visit to understand what to bring and what services are available. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday during regular business hours in Tuolumne County.

The Hitching Post Wedding Chapel

Tuolumne County operates a FREE "Hitching Post" Wedding Chapel. This makes it one of the only counties in California that performs civil marriage ceremonies at no charge. Many couples travel to Tuolumne County specifically to use the free chapel. The chapel is located near the county clerk office in Sonora.

Ceremonies at the Hitching Post are short and simple. A deputy clerk performs the ceremony using a standard script required by California law. Both people say their vows. You can exchange rings if you want. A small number of guests may attend. The chapel is decorated but basic. It offers a convenient option for couples who want a legal ceremony without spending money on a private venue or officiant in Tuolumne County.

You need to schedule your chapel ceremony when you pick up your marriage license or by calling the clerk office later. Ceremonies are available during regular business hours. Popular times may book up, so plan ahead if you have a specific date in mind. The free chapel is one reason Tuolumne County attracts many out-of-county couples for marriage services in California.

Note: The Hitching Post Chapel ceremony is FREE, but you still pay the marriage license fee in Tuolumne County.

Marriage License Information

Information about applying for a marriage license is available on the Tuolumne County Clerk page. The website explains the requirements, fees, and process. Both people must appear in person together at the clerk office. You cannot apply online or by mail in California.

Call 209-533-5573 if you have questions not answered on the website. The clerk staff can explain what identification to bring, when the office is open, and how to book a ceremony at the Hitching Post Chapel. Getting information in advance makes your visit faster when you arrive in Tuolumne County.

How to Apply

Both people must visit the Tuolumne County Clerk office together to apply for a marriage license. Bring valid photo identification for each person. A California driver license, passport, or state ID works. Out-of-state licenses are accepted. You need to show that you are at least 18 years old under California law.

The clerk will ask for basic information. You provide your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and social security number. If either person was married before, you must give the date and location where that marriage ended. Divorce or death details may be required in some cases in Tuolumne County.

The application process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The clerk reviews your answers and prepares the marriage license document. You pay the license fee at the end. Tuolumne County charges $65 for a public marriage license and $83 for a confidential license. Payment options likely include cash, checks, and cards. Ask about accepted methods when you arrive in Tuolumne County.

You get your marriage license immediately after payment. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You must have your wedding ceremony within that time period in California.

Public and Confidential Licenses

Tuolumne County issues both types of marriage licenses. A public marriage license costs $65. After the officiant files it, the license becomes a public record. Anyone can request a copy from the county or state. Public licenses require at least one witness age 18 or older to sign at the ceremony in California.

A confidential marriage license costs $83 in Tuolumne County. To get a confidential license, both people must be living together as a married couple when they apply. This requirement is set by California Family Code Section 500. Confidential records are not public. Only the married couple can get copies later under Section 511.

Confidential licenses do not need a witness at the ceremony. The officiant signs the license and returns it to Tuolumne County. The record remains confidential except by court order. Most couples choose public licenses because they cost less and are easier to use for future certified copy requests in California.

Marriage License Fees

Public marriage licenses cost $65 in Tuolumne County. This is below the state average. Confidential licenses cost $83. The higher confidential fee reflects extra processing required under California law to keep those records private and separate from public indexes.

The FREE Hitching Post Chapel ceremony is included with your license. You do not pay extra for the ceremony. This sets Tuolumne County apart from most other California counties, which charge $25 to $100 or more for civil ceremonies. The free chapel makes Tuolumne County one of the most affordable places to get married in California.

If you need certified copies of your marriage certificate after the ceremony, there is a separate fee. Most California counties charge $15 to $25 per certified copy. Contact the Tuolumne County Clerk at 209-533-5573 to ask about current copy fees and ordering methods in Tuolumne County.

Marriage License Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to marry in Tuolumne County without parental consent. People under 18 need a court order from a California superior court. No blood test is required. California stopped requiring blood tests in 1995.

You do not need to live in Tuolumne County or California. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen. People from any state or country can get a marriage license in Tuolumne County. The license is valid throughout California. You can have your ceremony anywhere in the state after getting the license from Tuolumne County.

California Family Code Sections 300-360 establish the rules for marriage licenses. Section 350 covers the application process. These state laws apply uniformly. Tuolumne County follows the same requirements as every other California county for issuing marriage licenses.

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

After Your Wedding

The person who performs your ceremony must complete the officiant section of the marriage license right after the ceremony. This includes the ceremony date, location, and officiant signature. The officiant then has 10 days to return the completed license to the Tuolumne County Clerk office. This is required by California Health and Safety Code Section 102525.

If you get married at the Hitching Post Chapel, the deputy clerk handles the filing immediately. Your marriage record is processed right away. If you use a private officiant elsewhere, make sure they know to file the license within 10 days. Late filing can delay your official marriage record in Tuolumne County.

Once the clerk office processes the license, your marriage becomes an official record. You can then order certified copies of your marriage certificate. These copies show the official seal and clerk signature. You need certified copies for legal purposes like name changes, benefits updates, or immigration applications in California.

California Marriage Statutes

State law controls how Tuolumne County handles marriage licenses. The California Family Code contains most marriage laws. Sections 300-536 cover marriage requirements, license types, ceremonies, and record keeping in California.

Health and Safety Code provisions also apply. Section 103525 explains certified copy issuance. Section 103526 lists who can obtain marriage certificates. Section 103625 addresses vital records fees. These statutes apply throughout California.

Tuolumne County has no authority to change state marriage laws. The county sets local fees and offers the free Hitching Post Chapel, but must follow all state requirements. This ensures marriage licenses work consistently across California.

About Tuolumne County

Tuolumne County is in the central Sierra Nevada. The county covers about 2,200 square miles with a population near 55,000. Sonora is the county seat and largest town. Other communities include Twain Harte, Columbia, Jamestown, and Groveland across Tuolumne County.

The region is part of California's Gold Country. Historic sites from the Gold Rush era attract tourists today. Tuolumne County also serves as a gateway to Yosemite National Park. Highway 108 and Highway 120 cross the county. The area offers outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, camping, and winter sports at higher elevations near Tuolumne County.

Cities in Tuolumne County

Tuolumne County has the incorporated city of Sonora. No cities in Tuolumne County have populations over 100,000. All marriage licenses are issued by the Tuolumne County Clerk office in Sonora. Cities do not issue marriage licenses in California.

Nearby California Counties

Tuolumne County borders several other counties. Each has its own clerk office with different marriage license fees and ceremony options.

Calaveras County, Stanislaus County, Mariposa County, Mono County, Alpine County