Find Marriage Records in El Cajon

Marriage records for El Cajon residents are maintained by San Diego County. The county assessor, recorder, and county clerk office handles all marriage licenses and certificates for El Cajon and other cities in the county. You can apply for a new license at the downtown San Diego office or the Kearny Mesa location. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available. Appointments are required to get a marriage license. You can request certified copies of existing marriage certificates in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online. The fee for a certified copy is $19 as of January 2026 when Assembly Bill 64 increased the cost by $2.

San Diego County Office for El Cajon Marriages

San Diego County operates two main offices for marriage services. The downtown location is at 1600 Pacific Highway in San Diego. The Kearny Mesa office is at 9225 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. Both offices can issue new marriage licenses. El Cajon residents can use either location. The downtown office is about 15 miles west of El Cajon. Kearny Mesa is about 12 miles west.

You must make an appointment to get a marriage license. Walk-ins are not accepted for license applications. Appointments can be booked up to 7 weeks in advance. New appointment slots open daily. Go to sdarcc.gov to schedule your appointment online. Both parties must attend the appointment together.

For marriage certificate requests, appointments are not required. You can visit the downtown office to request copies without an appointment. The Kearny Mesa office does not provide marriage certificate services. Only the downtown location handles certificate requests in person. Mail and online orders are also options for getting copies of El Cajon marriage records.

How El Cajon Residents Apply for Marriage Licenses

Start by completing the online application at the San Diego County website. This step is required before your appointment. The online form asks for basic information about both parties. You do not need to be a California resident to get a marriage license in San Diego County. People from anywhere can marry here.

After you complete the online form, book your appointment. The system lets you pick a date and time up to 7 weeks out. Choose the office location that works best for you. Both parties must attend the appointment. Bring valid photo ID like a driver license, passport, state ID, or military ID. Your ID must show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates.

If you were married before, be ready to provide details. You need to know the exact date your previous marriage ended and how it ended. Death, divorce, dissolution, or annulment are the possible answers. Some cases may require you to bring a copy of the final decree or death certificate. Check the county website or call ahead to confirm what you need for your situation.

The county issues your license at the appointment. There is no waiting period in California. You can use your license right away. It is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You can marry anywhere in California with a San Diego County license. The person who performs your ceremony must return the signed license to the county within 10 days after the wedding.

Requesting Marriage Certificates for El Cajon

Wait at least 10 business days after your ceremony before requesting a marriage certificate. The county needs time to receive and record the signed license from your officiant. Once the record is in the system, you can order certified copies. Each copy costs $19. You can order as many as you need for name changes, benefits, or other purposes.

In-person requests go to the downtown San Diego office at 1600 Pacific Highway. Bring valid photo ID. You must sign the application in front of county staff. They can provide the certificate the same day if your record is ready. Payment is by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Credit and debit cards have an extra $2.50 surcharge per transaction.

For mail requests, download the application form from sdarcc.gov. Fill it out and mail it with a check or money order to PO Box 121750, San Diego CA 92112-1750. Make the payment to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk. Do not send cash. Processing by mail takes several weeks.

Online orders through VitalChek are the third option. Go to the VitalChek website and select San Diego County Recorder. Choose authorized copy for a certified document. VitalChek charges service fees in addition to the $19 county fee. This method is faster than regular mail for most people. You pay by credit or debit card online.

Note: If no record is found, the county issues a Letter of No Record and keeps your fee as a search fee.

Public and Confidential Marriage Options

California offers two types of marriage licenses. El Cajon couples can choose either one. Public marriage licenses are the standard choice. These records become public after registration. Anyone can request a copy of a public marriage certificate. You need at least one witness to sign your public license at the ceremony. You can have two witnesses if you want.

Confidential marriage licenses stay private forever. Only the two people who got married can request copies later. Family members, employers, and the general public cannot access confidential marriage records. To get a confidential license, both parties must be at least 18 years old. You must also be living together as spouses when you apply. No witnesses are required for a confidential ceremony. The county clerk maintains these records permanently under California Family Code sections 500 through 511.

The main difference is privacy. Public records are open. Confidential records are sealed. Both types of licenses are equally valid under California law. Your choice depends on whether you want your marriage to be part of the public record or kept private. This decision is permanent. You cannot change from public to confidential or vice versa after you get the license.

Authorized Persons for El Cajon Marriage Records

California Health and Safety Code section 103526 controls who can get certified copies of marriage records. For public marriage records in El Cajon, authorized persons include the two people who got married, their parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, spouse, or domestic partner. Attorneys representing any of these people can also request records. Law enforcement and government agencies on official business are authorized.

Everyone else gets an informational copy. These copies are marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." You cannot use an informational copy to change your name or prove identity. Informational copies do not require a notarized application. They are available to anyone for historical or genealogy purposes.

Confidential marriage records follow stricter rules. Only the two parties to the marriage can get copies. No exceptions unless a court issues an order. Even parents and children cannot access confidential records. This protection lasts forever under California law. If you need a copy of a confidential marriage from El Cajon, you must be one of the spouses or have a court order.

Marriage Records in Other San Diego County Cities

Other cities in San Diego County use the same county office as El Cajon. San Diego is the county seat and largest city. Chula Vista is south near the border. Oceanside is along the coast to the north. Escondido is northeast of El Cajon in the inland area.

All San Diego County residents follow the same process. You make an appointment, apply in person, and get your license from the county. Certificates are available through the downtown office, by mail, or online. Fees are the same across the county. The main difference is just how far you have to drive to reach the county office from your city.