Marriage Records in Inglewood

Marriage records for Inglewood residents are processed through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office. Inglewood is a city of about 107,000 people in southwestern Los Angeles County. All marriage licenses for Inglewood couples must be obtained from Los Angeles County offices. The county operates seven branch locations where residents can apply for licenses and request certified copies of marriage certificates. No city office in Inglewood issues marriage licenses or maintains marriage records. County services handle all marriage documentation from application through certificate issuance.

Los Angeles County Handles Inglewood Marriages

Inglewood residents must go through Los Angeles County for all marriage license applications and certificate requests. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office maintains all marriage records for the entire county including Inglewood. This is the only agency authorized to issue marriage licenses valid for use anywhere in California. The county operates multiple branch offices throughout Los Angeles County to serve residents in different areas.

The main office is located at 12400 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Six additional branch offices serve the county in Beverly Hills, Compton, Lancaster, Van Nuys, Pomona, and Alhambra. Inglewood residents can visit any of these locations. All branches offer the same marriage license services. You do not need to go to a specific office based on where you live. Some offices may have different hours so call ahead or check online before you visit.

Both parties must appear together at the county office to apply for a marriage license under California law. The county requires you to complete an online application before your visit. This application stays on file for 90 days. You must bring valid photo ID such as a driver license, passport, or state ID card. The license costs $91 for a public marriage license or $85 for a confidential marriage license in Los Angeles County.

Applying for a Marriage License

Start by completing the online application on the Los Angeles County marriage license application page. The online form asks for basic information about both parties. You will need to know your parents' names and birth places. If either party was married before, you must provide the date the previous marriage ended and how it ended. Bring a copy of your divorce decree or death certificate if your last marriage ended within the past two years.

After you submit the online application, schedule a time to visit a county office. Both of you must go together. You cannot send someone else in your place. Bring your ID. The county clerk will review your application and issue the license. The process takes about an hour at the window. For same-day service at the Norwalk office, arrive by 3:00 PM. At district offices, arrive by 3:30 PM. Applications submitted after these times will be ready for pickup the next business day.

Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can use it anywhere in California. There is no waiting period. You can marry the same day you get your license if you wish. The license must be returned to the county recorder within 10 days after your ceremony. Your officiant is responsible for this step. Once the license is recorded, you can request certified copies of your marriage certificate.

Getting Copies of Marriage Certificates

Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 each as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64. You can order copies in person at any county office, by mail, or online through VitalChek. In-person requests at the Norwalk office often receive same-day service. Mail orders take 2 to 3 weeks to process plus delivery time. Online orders through VitalChek include additional service fees but may process faster than mail requests.

For public marriage records, anyone can request an informational copy. These copies are marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." To get an authorized certified copy that can be used for legal purposes, you must be a party to the marriage, a close family member, or have a court order. Authorized copies require a notarized sworn statement. Confidential marriage certificates are available only to the married parties or by court order regardless of copy type.

Los Angeles County only maintains records for marriages that occurred within the county or where the license was purchased in Los Angeles County. If you got married in another county, you must contact that county's recorder office. The California Department of Public Health maintains some marriage records for select years, but county offices are usually faster. Note that only the Norwalk office has marriage records available for in-person viewing. The branch offices can issue licenses but do not have records on site for searching.

Civil Ceremonies in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County offers civil marriage ceremonies at all seven branch locations. The ceremony fee is $25. You can schedule an express ceremony appointment at the same time you apply for your license. The appointment is set for 45 minutes which includes time to process the license and perform the ceremony. The county can provide a witness for an additional $20 fee if you do not bring your own. Public marriage licenses require at least one witness signature. Confidential licenses do not require witnesses.

You can also choose to have your ceremony performed elsewhere by any person authorized under California Family Code sections 400 through 402. This includes priests, ministers, rabbis, judges, retired judges, court commissioners, or anyone authorized by a religious denomination. The officiant does not need to register with the county before performing marriages in California. Out-of-state clergy may perform California marriages as long as they meet the requirements in Family Code section 400.

Public and Confidential Marriage Options

California law allows two types of marriage licenses. Most couples use public marriage licenses. These become part of the public record once registered. Anyone can request copies. The license requires at least one witness at the ceremony. Up to two witnesses may sign the license. The county recorder maintains public marriage records and issues certified copies to anyone who asks.

Confidential marriage licenses offer more privacy. Both parties must be at least 18 years old and living together as spouses when they apply. No witnesses are required. The record is not open to public inspection under California Family Code sections 500 through 511. Only the married parties can get copies unless a court orders otherwise. The county clerk maintains these records separately from public marriages. Confidential licenses cost $85 in Los Angeles County compared to $91 for public licenses.

Resources for Inglewood Residents

The Los Angeles County marriage FAQs page answers common questions about license requirements and ceremonies. You can also call the county office at (800) 201-8999 for assistance. Customer service representatives are available during business hours to answer questions about the application process, fees, and documentation requirements.

If you need to amend a marriage record due to an error, you must work with the California Department of Public Health Vital Records division. The county cannot amend public marriage records. Amendment fees and forms are available on the CDPH Vital Records website. Amendments within one year of the marriage are free but you still pay for certified copies. After one year, the amendment fee is $26 which includes one amended copy.

Wildfire victims in Los Angeles County can get free replacement copies of vital records including marriage certificates if their documents were lost in the fires. This applies to residents directly impacted by declared state emergencies. Contact the county clerk office to request records under the disaster relief program.

Other Los Angeles County Cities

Inglewood is one of many cities in Los Angeles County served by the same county clerk-recorder office. Nearby cities include Hawthorne, Torrance, and Los Angeles. All residents in these cities use the same county offices for marriage licenses and certificates. The county's seven branch locations provide convenient access throughout the region.

Other major cities in Los Angeles County include Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Pomona, Lancaster, Palmdale, and Norwalk. Each city's residents follow the same procedures at the same county offices. No individual city maintains separate marriage records or issues its own licenses.