Marriage Records Fairfield California

Fairfield residents obtain marriage licenses and certificates through Solano County. The county clerk-recorder office in Fairfield handles all marriage records for Fairfield and other Solano County cities. This office is located right in Fairfield at 675 Texas Street Suite 2700 in the county administration building. Both public and confidential marriage licenses can be obtained here. You must apply in person with your partner. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 each as of January 2026 following the Assembly Bill 64 fee increase. Fairfield is the county seat of Solano County so the main county office is conveniently located within city limits.

Solano County Office in Fairfield

The Solano County Clerk-Recorder office sits in downtown Fairfield at 675 Texas Street. This is the main county office for all marriage services in Solano County. Fairfield residents have the advantage of living in the county seat. The office is local rather than requiring a drive to another city. Hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Call ahead to confirm times before you visit.

Both parties must appear together in person to apply for a marriage license. Bring valid photo ID for each person. A California driver license, passport, state ID card, or military ID are all acceptable. Your ID must show your photograph, date of birth, and issue date. If you were married before, be prepared to provide information about when and how that marriage ended.

Parking is available near the county building. Street parking and public lots serve the downtown Fairfield area. Public transit routes may also reach the county office. Check local transit schedules if you prefer not to drive. The office is in the main government complex with other county departments.

Getting a Marriage License in Fairfield

Visit the Solano County Clerk-Recorder office with your partner. Both of you must be present. You cannot send someone to apply for you. Proxy marriages are not allowed in California except for military personnel serving overseas in combat zones who can use a power of attorney under limited circumstances per California Family Code section 420.

Choose between a public or confidential marriage license. Public licenses cost less and become part of the public record. Anyone can request a copy once the license is registered with the county. You need at least one witness to sign a public license at your ceremony. Confidential licenses cost slightly more and stay private forever. Only you and your spouse can get copies. For confidential, you must be at least 18 and living together as spouses when you apply. No witnesses are required for confidential ceremonies.

The county issues your marriage license the same day you apply in most cases. California has no waiting period. You can marry immediately after getting the license. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You can use it anywhere in California. After your wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to Solano County within 10 days. This is required by California Family Code section 359.

You do not need to be a California resident to get a marriage license in Solano County. People from other states or countries can marry here. There is no residency requirement. Blood tests are not required. California stopped requiring blood tests for marriage licenses many years ago.

Marriage Certificates for Fairfield Residents

After your wedding ceremony, wait for the county to receive and record your signed marriage license. This usually takes about 10 business days from the ceremony date. The officiant must return the license within 10 days. The county then processes and records it. Once recorded, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate.

Certified copies cost $19 each as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64 which took effect in January 2026. Before that, the fee was $17 per copy. You can order as many certified copies as you need. Each copy is a full certified document with the county seal. Order several at once. You will need them for name changes, benefits, insurance, and other purposes.

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

You can also order by mail. Download the application form from solanocounty.com/depts/clerk. Fill it out completely and mail it with a check or money order payable to Solano County Clerk-Recorder. Send to 675 Texas Street Suite 2700, Fairfield CA 94533. Do not mail cash. Processing by mail takes several weeks.

Note: Online ordering through VitalChek may be available for Solano County marriage certificates depending on current county agreements with third-party vendors.

Who Can Get Marriage Records

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

Non-authorized persons receive informational copies. These copies are marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." You cannot use an informational copy to change your name on your driver license, passport, or Social Security card. Informational copies are available to anyone for historical research or genealogy. They do not require notarized applications.

Confidential marriage records follow stricter rules. Only the two parties to the marriage can get copies. No exceptions exist unless a court issues an order. Parents, children, siblings, and all other family members cannot access confidential marriage certificates. This privacy protection is permanent under California Family Code sections 500 through 511. If you need a copy of a confidential marriage, you must be one of the spouses or have a court order.

Marriage Record Fees

Solano County sets fees for marriage licenses and certificates. The exact license fee may vary between public and confidential licenses. Check the county website or call (707) 784-6294 to confirm current rates for marriage licenses. Public licenses typically cost less than confidential ones across California counties.

Certified marriage certificates cost $19 per copy. This is the state-mandated fee as of January 2026. All California counties charge the same amount for certified vital records copies including marriage certificates. The $19 fee applies whether you order in person, by mail, or online. Online orders through third-party vendors like VitalChek have additional service fees on top of the county fee.

If the county offers civil ceremony services, there is typically an additional fee for having the county perform your marriage ceremony. This is optional. You can choose any authorized officiant in California to perform your ceremony. Many people use clergy, judges, or friends who become deputy marriage commissioners for a day.

California Marriage Laws

California marriage laws apply to all Fairfield residents. You must be at least 18 years old to marry without court permission. Minors under 18 require a court order and parental consent under California Family Code sections 301 and 302. The court may require premarital counseling for minors per Family Code section 304.

Both parties must appear together to get the license per Family Code section 359. The license is valid for 90 days under Family Code section 360. There is no waiting period. You can marry immediately. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the license to the county within 10 days. The license becomes a marriage certificate once recorded by the county.

California recognizes two types of marriage licenses. Public licenses are standard. Confidential licenses were added in 1971. Both are equally valid. Your choice depends on whether you want a public or private record. The decision is permanent. You cannot change from public to confidential or vice versa after getting the license.

Other Solano County Cities

Fairfield is the county seat of Solano County. Other cities in the county include Vallejo to the south, Vacaville to the northeast, and Suisun City adjacent to Fairfield. All Solano County residents use the clerk-recorder office in Fairfield for marriage services. There is only one main office for the county. This office is conveniently located in downtown Fairfield.