Access Elk Grove Marriage Records

Elk Grove residents get marriage licenses and certificates through Sacramento County. The county clerk-recorder office in downtown Sacramento handles all marriage records for Elk Grove and other cities in the county. You can apply for a new license by completing an online application first then visiting the office in person with your partner. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available. Civil ceremonies can be performed at the county office by appointment. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 each as of 2026. The office is at 600 8th Street in Sacramento about 15 miles north of Elk Grove off Interstate 5.

Sacramento County Office for Elk Grove

Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder serves all residents of Elk Grove and other cities in the county. The main office sits in downtown Sacramento at 600 8th Street. This is the only location for marriage licenses and certificate services in the county. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM. Plan to arrive with plenty of time before closing if you need same-day service.

An online application is available through the Sacramento County website. Complete this form before you visit the office. It stays on file for 60 days. Both parties still must appear in person together to finish the application and get the license. The online step just speeds up the process when you arrive. You cannot get a marriage license entirely online or by mail in California. In-person appearance is required by state law.

Parking is available near the county office. Street parking has meters. Public parking garages are within walking distance. The office is in the heart of downtown Sacramento near other government buildings. Light rail and bus routes serve the area if you prefer public transit from Elk Grove.

Applying for a Marriage License in Elk Grove

Start by going to ccr.saccounty.gov and completing the online marriage license application. Fill in all required fields for both parties. The system saves your application for up to 60 days. Do not wait too long between completing the online form and visiting the office. If more than 60 days pass, you must start over.

Both parties go to the Sacramento County office together. Bring valid photo ID. A driver license, passport, state ID, or military ID works. The ID must show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates. If you were married before, be ready to provide the date your previous marriage ended and how it ended. Some situations may require a copy of the divorce decree or death certificate.

Choose between a public or confidential marriage license when you apply. Public licenses become part of the public record. Anyone can request a copy once the license is registered. Confidential licenses stay private. Only the two people who got married can get copies unless a court orders otherwise. For confidential licenses, both parties must be at least 18 and living together as spouses when you apply.

The county issues your license the same day in most cases. There is no waiting period in California. You can marry immediately after getting your license or any time within 90 days. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You can use it anywhere in California. After your ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to Sacramento County within 10 days.

Getting Marriage Certificates for Elk Grove

Your marriage certificate is created after the county receives and records your signed marriage license from the officiant. This takes about 10 business days from the ceremony date. Once the record is in the system, you can order certified copies. Each copy costs $19 as of 2026. This fee increased by $2 in January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64.

Request copies in person at the Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder office. Bring valid photo ID. Staff can provide certificates the same day if your record is ready. Payment is by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Some payment methods may have small surcharges. Ask at the counter about current payment options.

You can also order by mail. Download the application form from the county website. Fill it out and mail it with a check or money order payable to Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder. Send everything to 600 8th Street, Sacramento CA 95814. Do not mail cash. Mail orders take several weeks to process and deliver.

VitalChek may offer online ordering for Sacramento County marriage certificates. Check the county website or VitalChek site to see if this service is available for your record. Online orders have extra service fees but may arrive faster than regular mail. You pay by credit or debit card online.

Authorized Access to Elk Grove Marriage Records

California Health and Safety Code section 103526 lists who can get certified copies of public marriage records. Authorized persons include the married couple, parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouse, and domestic partner. Attorneys representing these individuals are also authorized. Law enforcement and government agencies conducting official business can request records.

Non-authorized persons receive informational copies. These are marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." You cannot use an informational copy for name changes, benefits applications, or proving identity. They are available to anyone for historical research or genealogy purposes. Informational copies do not require notarized applications.

Confidential marriage records follow different rules. Only the two parties to the marriage can get copies. No exceptions exist unless a court issues an order. Even parents, children, and siblings cannot access confidential marriage certificates. This privacy protection is permanent under California Family Code sections 500 through 511.

Marriage Record Fees in Elk Grove

Sacramento County charges fees for marriage licenses and certificates. The exact license fee may vary. Check the county website or call (916) 874-5521 to confirm current rates. Public and confidential licenses have different fees. Confidential licenses typically cost slightly more than public ones.

Civil ceremony services are available at the county office. If you want the county to perform your marriage ceremony, there is an additional fee. This service is optional. You can choose any authorized officiant in California to perform your ceremony instead. Many couples use clergy, judges, or friends who become deputy marriage commissioners for a day.

Certified marriage certificates cost $19 per copy as of January 2026. Before 2026, the fee was $17. Assembly Bill 64 added $2 to the cost of all vital record certified copies in California. You can order as many copies as you need. Each is a full certified document with the county seal. Order several copies when you first request them. You will need them for name changes, insurance, benefits, and other purposes.

Note: Fees can change so always confirm current rates before visiting or mailing payment to Sacramento County.

Other Sacramento County Cities

Elk Grove is one of the larger cities in Sacramento County. The county seat is Sacramento to the north. Other cities in the county include Citrus Heights, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova. All these cities use the same Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder office for marriage services. There are no satellite locations. Everyone goes to the downtown Sacramento office at 600 8th Street.

If you live in Elk Grove, the drive to Sacramento takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Interstate 5 and Highway 99 both connect Elk Grove to downtown Sacramento. Plan extra time if you are visiting during morning or evening rush hours. Parking can be tight downtown so arrive early if you need to find street parking.