Find Alhambra Marriage Records
Alhambra residents get marriage licenses through Los Angeles County. The city is in Los Angeles County, where the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk handles all marriage records for over 10 million people. You can apply for a license at the Alhambra branch office or any of the seven county locations. Marriage records are kept by the county, not the city. Alhambra has a branch that serves the San Gabriel Valley area with convenient hours for local couples getting marriage licenses.
Alhambra Quick Facts
Where to Get a License in Alhambra
Los Angeles County has seven branch offices where you can get a marriage license. Alhambra residents often use the Alhambra branch since it is close. All branches offer the same service. You can go to any location that fits your schedule. The Alhambra office is at 38 West Main Street, Suite 101. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours, which are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM from Monday through Friday.
Before you visit, you must fill out an online application. Go to lavote.gov to start your application. This saves time when you arrive. The online form stays on file for 90 days. Both parties must come to the office together. You cannot get a license if only one person shows up. Bring valid photo ID like a driver's license or passport. No appointment is needed for a license, but appointments are required if you want to have your ceremony at the office on the same day.
| Office | Los Angeles County RR/CC - Alhambra Branch |
|---|---|
| Address | 38 West Main Street, Suite 101 Alhambra, CA 91801 |
| Phone | (800) 201-8999 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lavote.gov |
Processing your license takes about one hour at the window. If you arrive after 3:30 PM, you will need to pick up your license the next business day. Plan to arrive early if you need your license the same day. For express marriage ceremonies, you can book an appointment for 45 minutes that includes license processing and the ceremony itself. The ceremony fee is $25 and you need one witness for a public license. The office can provide a witness for $20 if you do not bring your own.
Public vs Confidential Licenses
California offers two types of marriage licenses. A public marriage license is the standard option. It costs $91 in Los Angeles County. Once recorded, it becomes a public record that anyone can request. You need at least one witness at your ceremony. The witness must be old enough to understand they are watching a marriage and able to sign their name. The public license allows up to two witnesses to sign.
A confidential marriage license costs $85 in Los Angeles County. This type keeps your marriage private. Only you and your spouse can get copies, unless a court orders the record released. No witnesses are required for a confidential ceremony. To qualify, both parties must be at least 18 years old and living together as spouses when you apply. You must sign a statement saying you meet this requirement. Both license types are valid for 90 days from the date they are issued. You can marry anywhere in California once you have the license.
After the ceremony, the person who performed the marriage must return the license to the county within 10 days. The county then records it and the license becomes a certificate. You do not automatically get a copy. You must request and pay for certified copies if you need them. Copies cost $19 each as of January 2026 due to a fee increase from Assembly Bill 64.
Marriage Records and Certificates
Marriage certificates are proof that your marriage is recorded. You get them from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk after the officiant returns your signed license. Wait at least 10 business days after your ceremony before requesting a certificate. The county needs time to process and record the license. You can request copies in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek.
In-person requests are processed at the Norwalk office only. The Norwalk location is at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. This is the main office where marriage records are kept. Branch offices like Alhambra handle licenses, but only Norwalk has certificate records available for viewing. You can walk in during business hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Bring valid photo ID. Staff will process your request while you wait if the record is available.
Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Select Los Angeles County and choose an authorized copy for a certified certificate. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the county fee. Processing takes about three to four weeks. This option works well if you do not need the certificate right away. Mail requests require a completed application with your signature notarized if you want a certified copy. Send your request to the Norwalk address with a check or money order for $19. Do not send cash by mail.
Note: Fire victims in Los Angeles County can get free copies of marriage records to support recovery efforts.
Requirements for Marriage
California law sets rules for who can marry. Both people must be at least 18 years old. Minors under 18 can marry only with a court order and written consent from a parent or guardian. You cannot be married to anyone else when you apply. California does not allow marriage by proxy except for military members stationed overseas in active conflict. This exception requires a power of attorney. No blood tests are needed.
You do not have to be a California resident to marry here. Couples from other states or countries can get a license and marry in Alhambra or anywhere in the state. The license is issued by the county, so it does not matter where in the county you plan to have your ceremony. Some counties may ask for a copy of your birth certificate. Check with the office when you apply. If you were married before, you will need to know the date your last marriage ended and how it ended. Some offices want a copy of the final divorce decree if your previous marriage ended recently.
Under California Family Code Section 359, both parties must appear together in person before the county clerk. You cannot send someone on your behalf. After the ceremony, your officiant must be authorized under Family Code Section 400. Judges, priests, ministers, rabbis, and other clergy can solemnize marriages. Some counties also have Deputy Commissioner programs where you can appoint a friend or family member to perform your ceremony for one day.
Your marriage license becomes a marriage certificate after the county records it. The certificate proves your marriage is legal. You can use it to change your name on other documents. Under Family Code Section 306.5, you can change your middle or last name by entering the new name on the license application. A certified copy of the certificate serves as legal proof of the name change. You do not need a separate court order for a name change if you do it through marriage.
County Resources for Alhambra
Los Angeles County provides online tools and information for couples getting married. The county website at lavote.gov has a detailed FAQ page that answers common questions about licenses, ceremonies, and certificates. You can also find fee schedules and office locations on the website. The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk phone line at (800) 201-8999 connects you with staff who can answer questions about your specific situation.
If you need your documents translated, bring certified translations. All documents must be in English or come with a certified English translation. This applies to birth certificates, divorce decrees, and any other papers you submit with your application. County staff cannot provide legal advice about filling out the forms. They can help with procedural questions but cannot tell you how to answer questions of a legal nature. If you need help understanding the legal parts of the application, talk to a lawyer before you visit the office.
Los Angeles County Marriage Records
Alhambra is in Los Angeles County, where all marriage licenses and certificates are handled by the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The county serves over 88 cities and unincorporated areas with seven branch locations. For complete details on county fees, all office locations, online applications, and additional marriage resources, visit the Los Angeles County marriage records page.