This office only issues marriage licenses if both parties are at least
18 years of age. If either party is under 18, click Marriage Licenses Under 18
Appointments are required. Both parties must appear together at one of our office locations: HOURS/LOCATIONS
Each person must present one form of valid photo identification with
proof of age. To expedite the identification process, it is recommended
that both parties bring a certified copy of their birth certificate.
- You will not need a witness to purchase a marriage license.
- If you are having a civil ceremony and have already purchased a public marriage license, you will need
at least one witness.
- If you are having a civil ceremony and have already purchased a confidential marriage license, you will
not need a witness.
If either party has been granted a divorce or filed a "Termination of Domestic Partnership"
within 90 days of applying for a new marriage license, a copy of the final divorce decree
or termination documents must be presented at the time of issue.
The Name Equality Act of 2007 (AB102, Chapter 567, Statutes of 2007) gives specific rights to parties at the
time they are applying for a California marriage license to choose and list on the marriage license the
new name that each party will go by after marriage. Please refer to the Name Equality Act.
A blood test is not required.
There is no residency requirement in California.
Your marriage license is effective immediately and valid for 90 days
anywhere within the state of California.
Once you have your marriage license the ceremony can be performed at
the church of your choice, a wedding chapel, or a civil ceremony may be
performed by this office.
After the ceremony, the license must be returned to our office for recording.
Certified copies may be purchased one week after the license is returned
to our office.
Fees
The fee for a public marriage license is $50.00. CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION.
The fee for a confidential marriage license is $55.00. CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION.
We also offer a framed digital photograph for $10 to commemorate this special occasion. A portion of the proceeds are given to the Polinsky Children's Center.
For information on a Civil Marriage Ceremony, click CIVIL
MARRIAGE CEREMONY.
For information on a Confidential Marriage License, click CONFIDENTIAL
MARRIAGES.
If you need to speak with a Marriage Section staff member, call (619)
531-6248.
Se habla Espanol.
MARRIAGE LICENSES UNDER
18
This section contains information on how to obtain a marriage license
if either party is under 18 years of age. You must go
through Juvenile Court and comply with the requirements set by them.
The address and phone number is:
Juvenile Court
2851 Meadowlark Drive
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 634-1600
Both parties must then make an appointment by calling (619) 237-0502 and appear together in our office and have the following
requirements:
- Each person must present one form of valid photo identification with
proof of age and a birth certificate.
- Judge's consent.
- Parental consent.
- A premarital counseling letter.
If either party has been granted a divorce or filed a "Termination of Domestic Partnership"
within 90 days of applying
for a new marriage license, a copy of the final divorce decree or "Termination of Domestic Partnership"
documents must be presented at the time of issue. Bring all of the requirements to the Clerk
of the Court at the Juvenile Court. The Clerk will review the material
and present it to a judge for his or her signature before a marriage license
can be issued.
If you have further questions, please call our office at (619) 531-6248.
CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE LICENSES
To obtain a Confidential Marriage License, both the couple must make an appointment by calling (619) 237-0502 and appear together at one of our office locations.
Each person must present one form of valid photo identification with
proof of age. To expedite the identification process, it is recommended
that the couple bring certified copies of their birth certificates.
If either party has been granted a divorce or a "Termination of Domestic Partnership"
within 90 days, a divorce decree or "Termination of Domestic Partnership" document must
be presented at the time of issue.
In order to issue a Confidential Marriage License:
- Both parties must swear in writing that they have already been living
together.
- The marriage ceremony may be performed ONLY in San Diego County.
The marriage record will be maintained as Confidential and ONLY the
couple named on the record may obtain copies of the marriage certificate, EXCEPT
by order of the Superior Court.
The cost of a Confidential Marriage License is $55.00. Click here for
an application.
PLEASE NOTE: The office of the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk issues
Public marriage licenses or Confidential licenses when the confidentiality
of the marriage date is important. Couples who choose the Confidential
License should be aware that when certified copies of the Confidential
Marriage License are requested, the copies can ONLY be issued to the couple with proper identification.
Once you have your marriage license the ceremony may be performed at
the church of your choice, a wedding chapel, or a Civil ceremony may be
performed by this office.
MARRIAGE LICENSE & CEREMONY APPOINTMENTS
An appointment is required to obtain a marriage license and/or civil ceremony.
- Appointment line hours are from 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.
- To schedule an appointment for our Downtown, San Marcos and El Cajon offices, please call (619)237-0502.
- Walkâin marriage license services are not available. Couples must have an appointment.
- Click here for an application.
- Click here for frequently asked questions.
HOURS/OFFICE LOCATIONS
Locations |
Hours |
Address |
Phone |
Schedule |
County Administration
Center |
Monday – Friday
8:00 – 4:00 |
1600 Pacific Highway, Ste 273
San Diego, CA 92101 |
(619)237-0502 |
Appointments only
8:00 – 4:00
|
San Marcos |
Monday – Friday
8:00 - 4:00 |
141 E. Carmel St.
San Marcos, CA 92078 |
(619)237-0502 |
Appointments Only
8:00 – 4:00 |
El Cajon |
Monday – Friday
8:00 - 4:00 |
200 S. Magnolia Ave
El Cajon, CA 92020 |
(619)237-0502 |
Appointments Only
8:00 - 4:00 |
For Civil Marriage Ceremony information, click CIVIL
MARRIAGE CEREMONY.
If you need to speak with a Marriage Section staff member, call (619)
531-6248.
Se habla Espanol.