Search Chula Vista Marriage Records
Marriage records for Chula Vista are kept by San Diego County. The city has about 275,000 people and is the second-largest city in San Diego County. All marriage licenses come from the San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk. The main office is at 1600 Pacific Highway in downtown San Diego. Chula Vista is about 10 miles south of downtown. You must make an appointment to apply for a license. Walk-ins are not accepted. Both people must appear in person at the appointment. The county has a strict appointment policy, so book ahead as slots fill up quickly.
Chula Vista Quick Facts
San Diego County Office Location
The San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk is downtown at 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260. This is the only location for marriage license appointments. You cannot walk in without an appointment. Book your appointment online at sdarcc.gov. The county opens appointment slots up to seven weeks ahead. New slots are added daily. Check back often if you do not see a time that works for you.
Before your appointment, fill out the online marriage application. This saves time when you arrive. Both people must come to the appointment together. You cannot get a license if only one person shows up. 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 San Diego County.
| Office | San Diego County Recorder/County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260 San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Phone | (619) 237-0502 |
| Mail Address | P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750 |
| Website | sdarcc.gov |
Your license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. You can marry anywhere in California during that time. There is no waiting period. You can marry the same day you get the license if you have an officiant 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.
Public and Confidential Marriage
San Diego County offers two types of marriage licenses. A public marriage license is the standard choice. 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 an affidavit stating 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 the county website for current license fees. Fees can change, so confirm the amount before your appointment. 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. You can order online through VitalChek or in person at the downtown office.
Getting Marriage Certificates
Marriage certificates prove your marriage is recorded with San Diego County. The certificate is created after the officiant returns the signed license to the county. This usually happens within 10 days of the ceremony. Allow at least 10 business days from the time the license was returned before requesting a certificate. The county needs time to process and register the license.
You can request certificates in person at the downtown office. Walk in during business hours with valid photo ID. You must sign the application in the presence of the County Clerk. Staff will look up your record and process your request if the record is available. Note that the Kearny Mesa office does not provide in-person marriage certificate services. You must go to the Pacific Highway location.
Mail orders are accepted. Send a completed application with a check or money order to P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750. Do not send cash. Make checks payable to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk. If the record is not found, you will get a Letter of No Record and the county will keep the fee. This fee is non-refundable even if the record is not found.
Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Select San Diego County Recorder and choose Authorized Copy for a certified certificate. VitalChek adds a service fee to the county fee. Processing usually takes a few weeks. Credit and debit card payments in person have an additional $2.50 surcharge added by the county.
Note: Confidential marriage records are available only to the spouses or by court order.
Marriage Requirements in California
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. If the license is not returned on time, the marriage is still valid but you may face delays getting your certificate.
You can change your name through marriage under California law. Enter the new name on your license application. A certified copy of the marriage certificate with the new name is legal proof of the name change. You do not need a separate court order. This is part of the Name Equality Act provisions in Family Code Section 306.5. One or both spouses can change their middle or last name this way.
Resources for Chula Vista Couples
San Diego County provides detailed information at sdarcc.gov. The website has details on licenses, certificates, fees, and appointment booking. You can also call the office at (619) 237-0502 to ask questions. County staff can answer basic procedural questions but cannot provide legal advice.
If you need legal help with marriage issues or questions the county cannot answer, talk to a lawyer. The California State Bar offers a referral service at 1-800-392-5660 if you need to find an attorney in the Chula Vista area. Many lawyers offer a first meeting at a reduced cost. Legal aid organizations may provide free services to people with low income if you qualify.
San Diego County Marriage Records
Chula Vista is the second-largest city in San Diego County, where the Recorder/County Clerk handles all marriage licenses and certificates. The county serves over 3.3 million residents across 18 cities. For complete information on fees, appointment scheduling, vital records services, and additional resources, visit the San Diego County marriage records page.