Chico Marriage Records Access

Chico marriage records are kept by Butte County. The city has over 101,000 people and is the largest city in Butte County. All marriage licenses come from the Butte County Clerk-Recorder in Oroville. The office is at 155 Nelson Avenue. Chico is about 25 miles north of Oroville. Both people must go to the Oroville office to apply for a license. You cannot get a license in Chico itself. The county office handles all marriage licenses and certificates for the entire county. Online applications are available to save time when you arrive at the office.

Butte County Clerk Office

The Butte County Clerk-Recorder is in Oroville at 155 Nelson Avenue. This is the county seat where all county records are kept. You must go to this office to get a marriage license if you live in Chico or anywhere in Butte County. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Both people must appear in person. You cannot send someone on your behalf.

You can fill out an online application before you visit. Go to buttecounty.net to start the application. This saves time when you arrive at the office. Bring valid photo ID like a driver's license or passport. You must be at least 18 years old to apply. There are no residency requirements. Couples from other states or countries can get a license in Butte County and marry in Chico or anywhere in California.

The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. You can marry anywhere in California during those 90 days. There is no waiting period. You can marry the same day you get the license if you are ready. No blood tests are required. After your ceremony, the person who performs the marriage must return the signed license to the county within 10 days. The county then records it and you can request certified copies of the certificate.

Public and Confidential Licenses

Butte County offers two types of marriage licenses. A public marriage license is the standard option. After the county records it, anyone can request a copy of the certificate. You need at least one witness at the ceremony. The witness must sign the license along with the officiant and both spouses. You can have up to two witnesses. Public marriage records are open to the public under California law.

A confidential marriage license keeps your marriage private. Only you and your spouse can get copies unless a court orders the record released. To qualify, both people must be at least 18 and living together as spouses when you apply. You must sign a statement confirming this is true. No witnesses are needed for a confidential ceremony. The license is kept separate from public records and is not available to the general public.

Check with the Butte County Clerk-Recorder for current license fees. Fees can change, so confirm the amount before you visit. As of January 2026, certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 each. This fee increased by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64. The same fee applies to all counties in California. Civil ceremonies are available by appointment if you want to marry at the county office.

Marriage Certificates for Chico Residents

Marriage certificates prove your marriage is recorded with Butte County. The certificate is created after the officiant returns the signed license to the county. This usually happens within 10 days of the ceremony. Once recorded, you can request certified copies. You do not get an automatic copy. You must request and pay for each copy you need.

You can request certificates in person at the Oroville office. Walk in during business hours with valid photo ID. Staff will look up your record and process your request while you wait if the record is available. If the record is not yet recorded, you will need to come back after the county has processed it. Allow at least 10 business days after your ceremony before requesting a certificate.

Mail orders are accepted. Send a completed application with a check or money order to the Oroville address. Do not send cash by mail. Include your contact information so the county can reach you if there are any issues with your request. Online orders are available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Select Butte County and choose an authorized copy for a certified certificate. VitalChek adds a service fee to the county fee. Processing usually takes a few weeks.

Note: Certified copies are needed for legal purposes like changing your name on a driver's license or passport.

California Marriage Requirements

California sets legal rules for marriage. 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 proxy marriages except for military members deployed overseas in a war or conflict. This requires a power of attorney under California Family Code.

Under California Family Code Section 300, marriage is a personal relation arising from a civil contract between two persons. You must get a license from the county clerk and have the marriage solemnized by an authorized person. Both people must appear in person before the county clerk to get the license. You cannot send someone on your behalf. This is required by California Family Code Section 359.

The person who performs your marriage must be authorized under California law. Judges, priests, ministers, rabbis, and certain other officials can solemnize marriages. Out-of-state clergy can perform marriages in California if they meet the requirements in Family Code Section 400. The officiant must sign the license and return it to the county within 10 days. Butte County also has a Deputy Commissioner for a Day program where you can appoint a friend or family member to perform your ceremony.

You can change your name through marriage in California. Enter the new name on your license application. A certified copy of the marriage certificate with the new name serves as legal proof of the name change. You do not need a separate court order. This is allowed under Family Code Section 306.5. One or both spouses can change their middle or last name this way. The certificate must show the new name for it to be valid proof.

Resources for Chico Couples

Butte County provides information on the county website. Visit buttecounty.net to find details on marriage licenses, fees, and office hours. The website has links to the online application and information on civil ceremonies. You can also call the office at (530) 538-7691 to ask questions about the license process.

County staff can help with procedural questions but cannot provide legal advice. They cannot tell you how to answer legal questions on the forms or advise you on prenuptial agreements. If you need legal help with marriage issues, talk to a lawyer. The California State Bar has a referral service at 1-800-392-5660 if you need to find an attorney in the Chico area. Many lawyers offer a first meeting at a reduced cost.

Butte County Marriage Records

Chico is the largest city in Butte County, where the Clerk-Recorder handles all marriage licenses and certificates. The county serves over 219,000 residents across multiple cities and unincorporated areas. For complete information on county fees, online applications, civil ceremonies, vital records, and additional resources, visit the Butte County marriage records page.

View Butte County Marriage Records