Costa Mesa Marriage Records

Costa Mesa marriage records are maintained by Orange County Clerk-Recorder offices. The city of Costa Mesa does not issue marriage licenses or keep marriage records. All marriage services for Costa Mesa residents are handled at the county level. Orange County operates the County Clerk-Recorder office in Santa Ana where couples apply for licenses and obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. Costa Mesa residents use the same county office as all other Orange County cities including Anaheim, Irvine, and Huntington Beach.

Orange County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Orange County Clerk-Recorder handles all marriage services for Costa Mesa. The main office is at 12 Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana. Phone number is (714) 834-2500. Visit their official website for current hours and services. The office issues both public and confidential marriage licenses for all Orange County residents.

Both parties must appear together in person to get a marriage license. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license or passport. Your ID must show your photo, date of birth, and issue date. Some couples also bring their birth certificates though this is not required by state law. If you were married before, know when that marriage ended and how it ended.

Orange County charges $83 for a public marriage license. A confidential marriage license costs $95. These fees are set by the county and may change. The license is valid for 90 days from the date you get it. You can use it anywhere in California. No waiting period exists. You can marry the same day.

Marriage License Types in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa couples choose between two license types. A public marriage license is the standard option used by most couples. This license becomes part of the public record after you marry. Anyone can request a copy of a public marriage certificate. At least one witness must sign the license at your ceremony.

A confidential marriage license offers more privacy. Both parties must be at least 18 years old and living together as spouses when you apply. No witnesses are required at the ceremony. The record stays confidential. Only you and your spouse can get copies unless a court orders otherwise. The county clerk maintains these records permanently under California Family Code sections 500 through 511.

Most Costa Mesa couples pick a public license. Some choose confidential for privacy reasons. Both types have the same legal effect. Your choice affects who can access your marriage record later. Public records are searchable by anyone. Confidential records remain private forever.

Getting Marriage Certificates

After your wedding, the person who performed your ceremony returns the completed license to Orange County. This happens within 10 days of your ceremony. The county then registers your marriage and creates the official marriage certificate. You do not get a copy automatically. You must request certified copies separately.

Contact Orange County Clerk-Recorder to order certified copies. Visit in person for same-day service. Mail requests take one to two weeks. The county also offers online ordering. Each certified copy costs $19 as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64 which took effect at the start of this year.

For public marriages, anyone can order a copy. For confidential marriages, only the married parties can request copies. Bring valid ID that matches the name on the record. The certificate serves as legal proof of your marriage for name changes, insurance, taxes, and other purposes.

State Marriage Records Access

The California Department of Public Health also keeps marriage records for certain years. The state has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to the present. CDPH does not maintain confidential marriage records at all. Processing at the state level takes 5 to 7 weeks. Orange County offers much faster service.

Costa Mesa residents typically use the county for faster results. Counties have more complete records and process requests quickly. The state office is useful for very old records or if you moved out of state and need a copy mailed to you. For most needs, contact Orange County directly.

Nearby Cities in Orange County

Costa Mesa is located in central Orange County near several other major cities. Newport Beach sits directly south. Santa Ana is to the east. Irvine lies southeast. Huntington Beach is west. All these cities use the same Orange County Clerk-Recorder office for marriage services.

Orange County serves over three million residents across 34 cities. The central location of the Santa Ana office makes it accessible from Costa Mesa and surrounding communities. Most couples from Costa Mesa visit the Santa Ana office to apply for their marriage license.