Citrus Heights Marriage Records
Citrus Heights marriage records are handled by Sacramento County. The city has over 87,000 residents and is in northeastern Sacramento County. All marriage licenses come from the Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder in downtown Sacramento. The office is at 600 8th Street. Citrus Heights is about 15 miles northeast of downtown. Both people must go to the Sacramento office to apply for a license. You cannot get a license in Citrus Heights itself. Online applications are available to save time when you arrive. The county keeps all marriage records for the entire county, including Citrus Heights.
Citrus Heights Quick Facts
Sacramento County Clerk Office
The Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder is downtown at 600 8th Street. This is where all marriage licenses are issued for the county. You must go to this office to get a license if you live in Citrus Heights or anywhere in Sacramento County. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 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 ccr.saccounty.gov to start the application. The online form is kept on file for 60 days after you submit it. 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 Sacramento County.
| Office | Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 8th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Phone | (916) 874-5521 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | ccr.saccounty.gov |
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.
Public and Confidential Options
Sacramento 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 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 Sacramento 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 if you want to marry at the county office. Ask about ceremony fees when you apply for your license.
Marriage Certificates for Citrus Heights
Marriage certificates prove your marriage is recorded with Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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. Processing by mail usually takes a few weeks. Online orders are available through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Select Sacramento County and choose an authorized copy for a certified certificate. VitalChek adds a service fee to the county fee.
Note: Certified copies are needed for legal purposes like changing your name on official documents.
California Marriage Law
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 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 Citrus Heights Couples
Sacramento County provides information on the county website. Visit ccr.saccounty.gov 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 (916) 874-5521 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 Citrus Heights area. Many lawyers offer a first meeting at a reduced cost.
Sacramento County Marriage Records
Citrus Heights is in Sacramento County, where the Clerk-Recorder handles all marriage licenses and certificates. The county serves over 1.5 million residents across multiple cities and unincorporated areas. For complete information on county fees, online applications, civil ceremonies, vital records, and additional resources, visit the Sacramento County marriage records page.