Records & Fees

Applying for a Marriage License

 

MARRIAGE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

 

Marriage licenses must be obtained in person at the County Clerk's office. The County Clerk is located at 555 County Center, First Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063-1665, telephone (650) 363-4500. Office hours for marriage licenses are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday - we do not make appointments.  The process for a marriage license may take 30 minutes depending on several factors, such as whether you have completed the online form prior to coming into the office or if you do this process in our office.  Also, there may be other people in line.  Please allow yourself enough time.

 

• The couple must both be present to obtain the license. Both individuals must present a government issued picture identification, either a driver's license or passport. Please note that blood tests are no longer required in the state of California.


• Cost of the public marriage license is $78.00(cost of a confidential marriage license is $80 and this marriage must take place in San Mateo County). The fee must be paid by CASH or credit/debit card (Visa or Mastercard only). 
  
  
• You must be married within 90 days of the date the license was issued and you may be married anywhere in the state of California.
  
  
• If either has been divorced within 90 days of obtaining their license they must present the final dissolution of marriage document.
  
  
• You may be married by a priest, rabbi, minister or other authorized person of your choice, or by a Deputy Marriage Commissioner in a civil ceremony in the County Clerk's Chapel.  Please see our Civil Wedding Ceremony Information page for further information.

Marriage Laws Change with the New Year

 

The Name Equality Act of 2007 changes California's marriage laws on January 1. Couples will have to give some thought to what their married legal name will be - and it will be important do so before applying for a license.

 

Press Release - What's in a Name? Getting Married? Give your last name some extra thought before tying the knot

 

Fact Sheet about The Name Equality Act of 2007 issued by the California Association of Clerks and Chief Elections Officers