California Marriage License Guide (2026)
California marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk, which in most counties is part of a combined clerk-recorder office. The fee is the county's: Gov. Code Sec. 26840 sets $10 and Sec. 26840.7 requires the clerk to collect $23 more for domestic-violence programs, so the statutory floor is $33, and Sec. 54985(a) lets a board of supervisors charge what the service costs. Across 24 counties, as of 20 September 2026, a public license runs $50 (Madera) to $129 (San Diego) and a confidential license $55 to $144. There is no waiting period, no blood test and no residency requirement; the license expires 90 days after issue.
The one thing to knowCalifornia offers a unique CONFIDENTIAL license in addition to the standard PUBLIC license -- the couple must already be living together, the record stays private, and it usually costs slightly more.
The process
- Both parties appear in person
There is no pre-download application -- both parties must appear together at the County Clerk with government-issued photo ID.
- Choose your license type
Pick the standard PUBLIC license or the CONFIDENTIAL license, which is available only if you already live together and whose record is not public.
- Pay the county fee
The fee is the county's under Gov. Code Sec. 54985(a), not Sec. 26840's $10 — which is a base amount joined by Sec. 26840.7's mandatory $23. Public licenses read $50-$129 across the counties we checked; the confidential license is priced by Sec. 26840.1 and Sec. 26840.8 instead.
- Marry within 90 days
The license is valid 90 days and may be used anywhere in California -- there is no waiting period.
- Officiant returns the license
The officiant must return the signed license to the County Recorder by the deadline printed on the license.
Marriage license fees by county — all 58 California counties
| County | Fee | Issuing office |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | $90.00 | Clerk-Recorder |
| Alpine County | $60.00 | County Clerk |
| Amador County | $65.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Butte County | $99.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Calaveras County | $70.00 | Clerk-Recorder |
| Colusa County | $198.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Contra Costa County | $95.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Del Norte County | $50–$129 public, $55–$144 confidential (call to confirm) | Clerk/Recorder |
| El Dorado County | $80.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Fresno County | $58 | County Clerk/Registrar of Voters |
| Glenn County | $56.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Humboldt County | $78.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Imperial County | $87.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Inyo County | $57.00 | Clerk-Recorder |
| Kern County | $101.00 | County Clerk |
| Kings County | $91.00 | Clerk/Recorder |
| Lake County | $70.00 | County Clerk |
| Lassen County | $51.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Los Angeles County | $91.00 | Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk |
| Madera County | $50.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Marin County | $85.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Mariposa County | $60.00 | County Clerk |
| Mendocino County | $95.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Merced County | $61.00 | Clerk-Recorder |
| Modoc County | $60.00 | County Clerk |
| Mono County | $82.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Monterey County | $95.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Napa County | $96.00 | Recorder / County Clerk |
| Nevada County | $72.00 | Clerk-Recorder |
| Orange County | $61.00 | Clerk-Recorder |
| Placer County | $57.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Plumas County | $60.00 | Clerk-Recorder |
| Riverside County | $111.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Sacramento County | $97.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| San Benito County | $75.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| San Bernardino County | $120.00 | Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk |
| San Diego County | $129.00 | Assessor | Recorder | County Clerk |
| San Francisco County | $129.00 | County Clerk |
| San Joaquin County | $65.00 | Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk |
| San Luis Obispo County | $105.00 | Clerk-Recorder |
| San Mateo County | $79.00 | Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Elections |
| Santa Barbara County | $100.00 | Clerk, Recorder, Assessor & Elections |
| Santa Clara County | $80.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Santa Cruz County | $90.00 | County Clerk |
| Shasta County | $85.00 | County Clerk |
| Sierra County | $66.00 | Clerk-Recorder |
| Siskiyou County | $71.00 | Clerk-Registrar of Voters |
| Solano County | $100.00 | County Clerk |
| Sonoma County | $82.00 | Clerk-Recorder-Assessor |
| Stanislaus County | $76.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Sutter County | $66.00 | Clerk-Recorder |
| Tehama County | $70.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Trinity County | $81.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Tulare County | $93.00 | Clerk-Recorder |
| Tuolumne County | $86.25 | County Clerk |
| Ventura County | $123.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Yolo County | $99.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
| Yuba County | $65.00 | County Clerk-Recorder |
California-specific details
California is unusual in offering two license types, and they differ in more than privacy. A PUBLIC license needs at least one witness at the ceremony (Fam. Code Sec. 359(d)), becomes a public record at the county recorder, and is returned there. A CONFIDENTIAL license is for a couple already living together as spouses (Sec. 500), has no witness line at all, is sealed from public inspection except by court order (Sec. 511), is returned to the county clerk, and may be issued by a notary public the clerk has approved (Sec. 503). It usually costs a few dollars more because Sec. 26840.1 prices it separately — though Los Angeles charges less for it.
There is no waiting period and no blood test: the words appear nowhere in Division 3 of the Family Code. There is no residency requirement either — the one residency rule in the division is Sec. 425's declaration of an unrecorded marriage, which is bought in the county where you live. The license expires 90 days after issue (Sec. 356). The code places no county limit on where you may use it; the only county-tied duty is the return, to the recorder of the county that issued it (Sec. 359(e)).
What to bring
- Both parties, in person
- Government-issued photo ID for each party
- The county fee (read $50-$129 for a public license across 24 counties; ring yours)
- A decision on whether you want a public or confidential license
- If choosing the confidential license, confirmation that you already live together
Frequently asked questions
Who issues the marriage license in California?
The County Clerk, which in most counties is part of the combined County Clerk-Recorder office.
Is there a waiting period or blood test?
No. California has no waiting period, no blood test, and no residency requirement (Family Code Sec. 350 and 359).
How long is the license valid and where can we use it?
It is valid 90 days and may be used anywhere in California, regardless of which county issued it.
What is a confidential marriage license?
A license type unique to California. The couple must already be living together, the record is not public, and it usually costs slightly more than the public license.
How much does it cost?
The fee is the county's, not the state's. Gov. Code Sec. 26840 sets $10 and Sec. 26840.7 adds a mandatory $23, and Sec. 54985(a) lets the board charge what the service costs — so counties we read charge $50 to $129 for a public license. Call your county for its figure.
Who returns the signed license?
The officiant returns the signed license to the County Recorder. The deadline is printed on the license itself - check it before the ceremony.