Clovis Marriage Records Lookup

Clovis marriage records are kept by Fresno County. The city has over 120,000 people and is just northeast of Fresno. All marriage licenses come from the Fresno County Clerk-Recorder in downtown Fresno at 2281 Tulare Street, Room 302. Clovis is about 8 miles from the county office. Both people must go to the Fresno office to apply for a license. You cannot get a license in Clovis itself. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. An online pre-application may be available to save time when you arrive at the county office.

Fresno County Clerk Office

The Fresno County Clerk-Recorder is at 2281 Tulare Street in Room 302 in downtown Fresno. 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 Clovis or anywhere in Fresno 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.

An online pre-application may be available. Check co.fresno.ca.us to see if you can fill out forms online before your visit. 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 Fresno County and marry in Clovis 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

Fresno 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 Fresno 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 in Fresno.

Getting Marriage Certificates

Marriage certificates prove your marriage is recorded with Fresno 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. Marriage certificate copies are available after the license is recorded by the county.

You can request certificates in person at the Fresno 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 Fresno 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 Fresno 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 changing your name on legal documents like a driver's license or passport.

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 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 Clovis Couples

Fresno County provides information on the county website. Visit co.fresno.ca.us to find details on marriage licenses, fees, and office hours. The website has information on civil ceremonies and vital records. You can also call the office at (559) 600-3470 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 Clovis area. Many lawyers offer a first meeting at a reduced cost.

Fresno County Marriage Records

Clovis is in Fresno County, where the Clerk-Recorder handles all marriage licenses and certificates. The county serves over 1 million residents across 15 cities and unincorporated areas. For complete information on county fees, civil ceremonies, vital records services, and additional resources, visit the Fresno County marriage records page.

View Fresno County Marriage Records