California Marriage License Guide (2026)
California marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk, which in most counties is part of the combined County Clerk-Recorder office. The fee is set by county ordinance and typically runs $35-$115. There is no waiting period, no blood test, and no residency requirement, and the license is valid 90 days and may be used anywhere in California.
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 set by county ordinance under Gov. Code Sec. 26840 and typically runs $35-$115; the confidential license usually costs slightly more.
- 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 within 10 days.
Marriage license fees by county — all 58 California counties
| County | Fee |
|---|---|
| Alameda County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Alpine County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Amador County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Butte County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Calaveras County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Colusa County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Contra Costa County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Del Norte County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| El Dorado County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Fresno County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Glenn County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Humboldt County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Imperial County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Inyo County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Kern County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Kings County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Lake County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Lassen County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Los Angeles County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Madera County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Marin County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Mariposa County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Mendocino County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Merced County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Modoc County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Mono County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Monterey County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Napa County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Nevada County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Orange County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Placer County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Plumas County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Riverside County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Sacramento County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| San Benito County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| San Bernardino County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| San Diego County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| San Francisco County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| San Joaquin County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| San Luis Obispo County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| San Mateo County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Santa Barbara County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Santa Clara County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Santa Cruz County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Shasta County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Sierra County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Siskiyou County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Solano County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Sonoma County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Stanislaus County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Sutter County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Tehama County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Trinity County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Tulare County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Tuolumne County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Ventura County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Yolo County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
| Yuba County | $35–$115 (call to confirm) |
California-specific details
California is unusual in offering two license types. A PUBLIC license is the standard option and becomes a public record. A CONFIDENTIAL license is unique to California: the couple must already be living together, the record is not public, and it usually costs slightly more.
There is no waiting period, no blood test, and no residency requirement (Family Code Sec. 350 and 359). The license is valid 90 days and may be used anywhere in California regardless of the issuing county.
What to bring
- Both parties, in person
- Government-issued photo ID for each party
- The county fee ($35-$115, varies by county)
- 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 set by county ordinance and typically runs $35-$115. Call your county for the exact amount.
Who returns the signed license?
The officiant must return the signed license to the County Recorder within 10 days.