Escondido Marriage Records

Escondido marriage records are maintained by San Diego County. The county assessor, recorder, and county clerk office handles all marriage licenses and certificates for Escondido and every other city in the county. Residents must visit the downtown San Diego office or Kearny Mesa location to apply for a marriage license. Appointments are required. Both public and confidential marriage licenses can be obtained. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 per copy as of January 2026 after Assembly Bill 64 added a $2 fee increase. Escondido is in the northern inland area of San Diego County about 30 miles from the downtown county office.

Where Escondido Residents Get Marriage Licenses

San Diego County operates two offices for marriage services. The main downtown office is at 1600 Pacific Highway in San Diego. The Kearny Mesa office is at 9225 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. Both locations issue new marriage licenses. Escondido residents can use either office though Kearny Mesa may be closer depending on your route. Downtown San Diego is about 30 miles south of Escondido. Kearny Mesa is about 25 miles south.

You must schedule an appointment to get a marriage license. San Diego County does not accept walk-ins for license applications. Go to sdarcc.gov to book your appointment online. You can schedule up to 7 weeks in advance. New slots open daily. Both parties must attend the appointment together. Bring valid photo ID and any required documents.

For marriage certificate copies, no appointment is needed. Visit the downtown office to request certificates in person. The Kearny Mesa office does not handle certificate requests. Only the Pacific Highway location provides this service. You can also order certificates by mail or online through VitalChek without an appointment.

How to Apply for a Marriage License

Complete the online application through the San Diego County website before your appointment. This form is required. It asks for basic information about both parties. You do not need to be a California resident to marry in San Diego County. Anyone can get a license here regardless of where they live.

After submitting the online form, book your appointment. The system shows available dates and times at both office locations. Pick the one that works best for your schedule. Both people must attend. Bring valid photo ID like a driver license, passport, state ID, or military ID. The ID must have your photo, birth date, and issue and expiration dates.

If either person was married before, provide details about the previous marriage. Know the exact date it ended and how it ended. Death, divorce, dissolution, or annulment are the options. Recent divorces may require you to bring a copy of the final decree. Check with the county if you are unsure what documents you need.

The county issues your license at the appointment. No waiting period exists in California. You can marry right away. The license stays valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Use it anywhere in California. After your ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to San Diego County within 10 days. This is required by state law.

Getting Marriage Certificates

Wait at least 10 business days after your wedding before requesting a marriage certificate. The county needs time to receive and record the signed license from your officiant. Once recorded, you can order certified copies for $19 each. This is the state-mandated fee as of January 2026.

In-person requests go to the downtown San Diego office at 1600 Pacific Highway. Bring valid photo ID. Sign the application in front of county staff. They can give you the certificate the same day if your record is in the system. Pay by cash, check, money order, or card. Cards have a $2.50 surcharge per transaction.

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

Online orders through VitalChek are also available. Select San Diego County Recorder on the VitalChek site. Choose authorized copy for a certified document. VitalChek adds service fees to the $19 county fee. This option is faster than regular mail for most people.

Note: If the county cannot find your record, they issue a Letter of No Record and keep your fee as a search fee.

Public or Confidential Marriage

California offers public and confidential marriage licenses. Escondido couples choose which type when they apply. Public licenses are the common choice. They become public records after registration. Anyone can request a certified copy. At least one witness must sign the license at the ceremony. You can have two witnesses if you want.

Confidential licenses stay private forever. Only the married couple can get copies. No one else has access unless a court orders it. To get a confidential license, both people must be 18 or older and living together as spouses when you apply. No witnesses are required for confidential ceremonies. The county clerk keeps these records permanently under California Family Code sections 500 through 511.

Your choice between public and confidential is permanent. You cannot change it later. Public records are open to anyone. Confidential records are sealed. Both types of licenses are equally valid under California law. Pick the option that fits your privacy needs.

Who Can Access Marriage Records

California Health and Safety Code section 103526 controls access to marriage records. For public records, authorized persons include the married couple, parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouse, or domestic partner. Attorneys and government agencies on official business can also request records. Everyone else gets informational copies marked as not valid for identity purposes.

Confidential marriage records have stricter limits. Only the two parties to the marriage can get copies. No exceptions exist unless a court issues an order. Even family members cannot access confidential records. This privacy protection is absolute under California law.

Marriage Fees for Escondido

San Diego County sets marriage license fees. Check the county website or call (619) 237-0502 to confirm current rates. Fees may vary between public and confidential licenses. Certified marriage certificates cost $19 per copy as of January 2026. This fee went up by $2 under Assembly Bill 64 which took effect at the start of 2026.

Online orders through VitalChek have extra service fees. Expect to pay $10 or more beyond the $19 certificate fee when using VitalChek. In-person and mail orders avoid these charges. You just pay the $19 county fee per copy.

Nearby San Diego County Cities

Other cities near Escondido in San Diego County include San Marcos to the west and Oceanside on the coast. Carlsbad is southwest of Escondido. San Diego is the county seat to the south. All San Diego County residents use the same county office for marriage services. The process and fees are the same no matter which city you live in.