Downey Marriage Records

Downey residents get marriage licenses and certificates through Los Angeles County. The county registrar-recorder and county clerk handle all marriage records for Downey and every other city in LA County. You can visit county offices in Norwalk or other locations to apply for a license. Both public and confidential marriage options are available. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 as of January 2026. The Norwalk office is the only location where you can view historical marriage records in person. Los Angeles County is the largest county in California so expect busy offices during peak times.

Los Angeles County Marriage Services for Downey

Los Angeles County runs the registrar-recorder and county clerk office for all cities in the county including Downey. The main office is in Norwalk at 12400 Imperial Highway. This is the largest county operation in the nation. They process thousands of marriage licenses and certificate requests every week. The Norwalk office is about 8 miles east of Downey off the 105 freeway.

You must apply for a marriage license in person. Both parties go together to a county office. Bring valid photo ID like a driver license or passport. You do not need to be a California resident to marry here. There is no wait period. You can use the license right away. It stays valid for 90 days from the date of issue. After your ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the county within 10 days.

The county has multiple office locations around LA County but only Norwalk has records available for in-person viewing. Other offices can issue new licenses and take certificate requests but they cannot show you old records on site. If you need to research historical marriage records from Downey, you must go to Norwalk or use the online VitalChek system.

Applying for a Marriage License in Downey

Start by filling out the online pre-application at lavote.gov. This saves time when you visit the office. You still must appear in person to finish the process. The online form stays in the system for a limited time so do not complete it too far in advance of your visit to the Norwalk or other LA County office.

When you go to the office, both parties must be there. Bring valid photo ID. Documents must be in English or have a certified translation. If you were married before, know when and how that marriage ended. If it ended within the past two years, bring a copy of the final divorce decree or death certificate. County staff cannot give you legal advice about how to fill out the forms. They can only accept or reject what you write.

Choose between a public or confidential license. Most people pick public. It costs $85 in LA County. Confidential costs $90. For confidential, you must be living together as spouses when you apply. You also must be 18 or older. Minors cannot get confidential licenses in California. The county issues your license the same day in most cases. Express ceremony appointments are available if you want the county to perform the ceremony right after you get your license.

Marriage Certificates from Downey Records

After your wedding, wait at least 10 business days before requesting a marriage certificate. The officiant must return the signed license to Los Angeles County. The county then records it in their system. Once recorded, you can order certified copies for $19 each. This fee went up by $2 in January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64.

You can order copies in person at the Norwalk office, by mail, or online through VitalChek. In-person service is fastest if the record is already in the system. By mail takes several weeks. Online through VitalChek adds service fees but may be faster than regular mail. Check lavote.gov fee schedule for current costs.

Only authorized persons can get certified copies of public marriage records. This includes the married couple, their parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, spouse, or domestic partner. Attorneys and government agencies conducting official business are also authorized. Anyone else gets an informational copy that cannot be used for identity purposes. Confidential marriage records are available only to the two parties to the marriage or by court order.

If you need a copy of a Downey marriage certificate and the officiant has not yet returned the license, you must wait. The county cannot issue a certificate until they receive and record the original signed license. This usually takes 2 to 3 weeks after the ceremony date. Call (800) 201-8999 to check if your record is ready.

Downey Marriage License and Certificate Fees

Los Angeles County charges $85 for a public marriage license. A confidential license costs $90. These are the base fees. If you want the county to perform a civil ceremony, that adds more cost. Express ceremony appointments are popular for couples who want to marry the same day they get their license.

Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 per copy as of January 2026. You can order as many as you need. Each copy is a full certified document with the county seal. The $19 fee matches the state rate set by California law. Before January 2026, the fee was $17. The increase came from Assembly Bill 64.

Online orders through VitalChek have extra service and handling fees. These vary based on delivery speed and payment method. Expect to pay $10 or more in addition to the $19 certificate fee when using VitalChek. In-person and mail orders do not have these extra charges. You just pay the $19 per copy.

Note: Fire victims in Los Angeles County can get free replacement vital records including marriage certificates under special state emergency provisions.

California Marriage Laws for Downey Residents

California law sets the rules for marriage licenses across the state. Downey residents follow the same laws as everyone else in California. You must be at least 18 years old to marry without court permission. Minors under 18 need a court order and parental consent under California Family Code sections 301 and 302.

Both parties must appear together to get the license per Family Code section 359. You cannot send someone to apply for you. Proxy marriages are not allowed in California except for military personnel serving overseas in a war or conflict. Blood tests are not required. California stopped requiring blood tests years ago.

Your marriage license is valid for 90 days under California Family Code section 360. There is no waiting period. You can marry the same day you get your license or any time within the 90 days. After the ceremony, the person who performed it must return the license to the county within 10 days. This is required by Family Code section 359.

You do not automatically get a copy of your marriage certificate. You must request it and pay the fee. Many people do not know this and are surprised when they do not receive a certificate in the mail after their wedding. The certificate is proof that your marriage is registered with the state. You need it to change your name on your driver license, Social Security card, and other documents.

Marriage Records in Nearby LA County Cities

Many cities near Downey are also in Los Angeles County. Norwalk is home to the main county registrar-recorder office. Long Beach is south of Downey along the coast. Glendale and Pasadena are to the north. All use the same Los Angeles County system for marriage licenses and certificates.

El Monte is east of Downey in the San Gabriel Valley area. Hawthorne is west toward the beach cities. Every city in LA County goes through the same registrar-recorder office. You can apply at any county location but only Norwalk has records available for viewing in person.