Ventura County Marriage License Services
Marriage license applications in Ventura County are processed through the Clerk-Recorder office, which operates two locations to serve over 840,000 residents in this coastal California county. You can apply for a marriage license at the main office in Ventura or the branch office in Thousand Oaks, with public licenses costing $108 and confidential licenses costing $122. The county requires appointments for all marriage license services, which you can schedule through the Acuity Scheduling system, and civil ceremonies are available for $60 at both office locations in Ventura County.
Ventura County Marriage License Facts
Ventura County Clerk Offices
The Clerk-Recorder office in Ventura County operates two locations for marriage services. The main office is at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura. A second office serves the eastern part of the county in Thousand Oaks. Both locations handle marriage license applications and perform civil ceremonies in Ventura County.
You must make an appointment to apply for a marriage license. Walk-ins are not accepted. The county uses Acuity Scheduling for appointments. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday. Call 805-654-2263 to ask questions about marriage services. The main website at clerkrecorder.venturacounty.gov has details about both locations in Ventura County.
Most couples choose the office closest to where they live. Both offices provide the same services and charge the same fees. The appointment system helps keep wait times short in Ventura County.
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Ventura County requires you to schedule an appointment before visiting an office. The county uses Acuity Scheduling to manage appointments. You can find the scheduling link on the Clerk-Recorder website. Both people must attend the appointment together. You cannot apply without an appointment in Ventura County.
At your appointment, both people must bring valid photo identification. Driver licenses, state ID cards, and passports all work. The staff will ask for your full name, date of birth, place of birth, and social security number. If you were married before, you must provide details about when and where that marriage ended in Ventura County.
The application process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The staff reviews your information and answers any questions you have. Once everything is complete, you pay the license fee and receive your marriage license the same day in Ventura County.
What Happens at Your Appointment
Both people must appear together at the Ventura County office for your scheduled appointment. Bring valid photo ID for each person. The staff reviews your information and verifies everything. This process takes about 15 minutes at most locations in Ventura County.
You pay the license fee at the appointment. A public marriage license costs $108 in Ventura County. A confidential license costs $122. The office accepts credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash. After you pay, the staff prints your marriage license. You get the physical document right away. It is valid for 90 days from that date under California Family Code Section 359.
Your wedding ceremony must happen within those 90 days. The license has multiple copies. One stays with you. Another goes to your officiant, who must file it with the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder 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 Ventura County.
Note: Appointments are required at both Ventura County office locations.
Marriage License Fees
Ventura County charges $108 for a public marriage license and $122 for a confidential license. These fees cover the full application and processing. The fees are set by the county and can change from year to year in California.
Civil ceremony fees are $60 in Ventura County. This is separate from the license fee. You can pay for the license and ceremony at the same time, or get your license first and schedule the ceremony later. Some couples choose to have a private ceremony instead of using the county service in Ventura County.
After your wedding, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Clerk-Recorder office. 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 Ventura County.
The Clerk-Recorder website lists all current fees for marriage services in Ventura County.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder performs civil ceremonies at both office locations. The ceremony fee is $60. 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 Ventura 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 attend at most locations. No music, decorations, or special requests are allowed at civil ceremonies in Ventura County.
Many couples choose civil ceremonies for convenience and cost. The ceremony is legally valid just like any other wedding in California. After the ceremony, the deputy signs your marriage license and files it with the county recorder. Your marriage becomes official at that moment in Ventura County.
Public and Confidential Licenses
Ventura County issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license costs $108 and becomes part of the public record after filing. Anyone can request a copy of a public marriage certificate from the county or from California state vital records.
A confidential marriage license costs $122 in Ventura County. It does not become a public record. Only the two people who got married can get 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 Ventura County.
Who Can Get a Marriage License
Both people must be at least 18 years old to get a marriage license in Ventura 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 Ventura County or California. Anyone from any state or country can get a marriage license in Ventura County.
Both people must apply in person together at a scheduled appointment. You cannot send someone else to apply for you. Each person needs valid photo ID. The staff 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 staff may ask for proof in some cases in Ventura 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 Ventura County.
Certified Marriage Certificate Copies
After your wedding ceremony, your officiant files the marriage license with the Ventura County Clerk-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 Clerk-Recorder office in Ventura County.
Certified copies are available in person at either office location 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 Ventura County.
For older marriages, the Clerk-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 Ventura County.
Major Cities in Ventura County
Ventura County includes several large cities. All marriage licenses for these cities are issued by the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder office. Cities do not issue marriage licenses in California.
Cities in Ventura County with populations over 100,000: Oxnard, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Ventura
Nearby California Counties
Ventura County borders several other California counties. Each county has its own clerk office with different fees and procedures.