Find Marriage Records in Lancaster

Lancaster marriage records are processed by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Lancaster is the largest city in the Antelope Valley with over 170,000 residents in northern Los Angeles County. The city operates no marriage license services or vital records office of its own. All marriage licenses and certificates for Lancaster couples go through Los Angeles County offices. The county maintains a branch office in Lancaster plus six other locations throughout the county where residents can apply for licenses and request copies of marriage certificates.

Los Angeles County Marriage Services

Lancaster residents use Los Angeles County offices for all marriage needs. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk is the only agency authorized to issue marriage licenses in the county. Los Angeles County operates seven branch offices including one in Lancaster. The Lancaster office provides convenient local access for Antelope Valley residents.

The Lancaster branch office offers full marriage services. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Check the county website for the exact address and any schedule changes. The other six branches are in Norwalk, Beverly Hills, Compton, Van Nuys, Pomona, and Alhambra. You can visit any location regardless of where you live in the county. All offices provide the same services.

Both parties must appear together to get a marriage license under California law. You cannot send someone in your place. You must complete an online application before your visit. This application stays on file for 90 days. Bring valid photo ID like a driver license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. The county requires ID that shows your photo, birth date, and issue and expiration dates.

Getting a Marriage License in Los Angeles County

Start with the Los Angeles County online marriage application. The form asks for basic information about both parties. You need names, addresses, birth dates, birth places, and parents' names. If either party was married before, provide the date the previous marriage ended and whether it ended by death, divorce, dissolution, or annulment. The county may want to see your divorce decree or death certificate if the previous marriage ended within two years.

After submitting the online form, schedule your visit to a county office. Both of you must go together. The clerk will review your application and issue the license. Processing takes about an hour at the window. For same-day service at the Norwalk office, arrive by 3:00 PM. At branch offices including Lancaster, arrive by 3:30 PM. Applications received after these times will be ready the next business day.

Your license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can use it anywhere in California. No residency requirement exists. You do not need to live in Los Angeles County or California. There is no waiting period. You can marry the same day you get your license. The officiant must return the completed license to the county recorder within 10 days after your ceremony.

Public and Confidential Marriage Options

California offers two types of marriage licenses. Public marriage licenses are the standard choice. These become public records after the county recorder registers them. Anyone can request certified copies. The license requires at least one witness at your ceremony. You may have up to two witnesses sign. The county recorder maintains public marriage records and issues copies to anyone who requests them.

Confidential marriage licenses provide complete privacy. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. The couple must be living together as spouses when they apply. You will sign an affidavit stating this. No witnesses are required at the ceremony. 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 keeps confidential records permanently and separately from public files.

Public licenses cost $91 in Los Angeles County. Confidential licenses cost $85. The fee difference reflects different filing and storage requirements. Once you choose a license type, you cannot change it. A confidential marriage stays confidential forever. Consider your privacy needs before deciding.

Marriage Ceremony Services

Los Angeles County offers express civil ceremonies at all seven branch offices including Lancaster. The ceremony fee is $25. You can schedule an express ceremony when you apply for your license. The appointment includes time to process the license and perform the ceremony. The county can provide a witness for $20 if you do not bring one. Public licenses need at least one witness. Confidential licenses do not require witnesses.

You may arrange a private ceremony with any authorized officiant instead. California law allows priests, ministers, rabbis, judges, retired judges, court commissioners, and people authorized by religious groups to perform marriages. The officiant does not need to register with the county first. Out-of-state clergy can perform California marriages if they meet the requirements in Family Code sections 400 through 402.

After your ceremony, the officiant signs and returns the license to the county recorder. The county records the license and it becomes a marriage certificate. You can then request certified copies. Do not expect the officiant to give you a copy. You must order copies from the county yourself.

Requesting 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 county offices may receive same-day service. Mail orders take 2 to 3 weeks to process plus delivery time. VitalChek online orders include additional handling fees but may process faster.

For public marriage records, anyone can request an informational copy. These are marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." You cannot use them for legal purposes like name changes. To get an authorized certified copy, you must be a party to the marriage, a close family member, or have a court order under Health and Safety Code section 103526. Authorized copy requests require a notarized sworn statement.

Confidential marriage certificates are available only to the married parties. Family members cannot get them. A court order is the only exception. The county clerk maintains these records separately. The privacy is permanent and absolute under California law.

Additional Information for Lancaster Residents

The Los Angeles County marriage FAQs answer common questions about requirements and procedures. You can call the county at (800) 201-8999 for help. Customer service is available during business hours to answer questions about applications, fees, and documents.

If you need to amend a marriage record, contact the California Department of Public Health Vital Records division. Los Angeles County cannot amend public marriage certificates. The state handles all amendments. Forms and fees are on the CDPH Vital Records website. Amendments in the first year are free to file but you pay for certified copies. After one year, the fee is $26 including one amended copy.

Los Angeles County keeps records only for marriages where the license was purchased in Los Angeles County. If you married in another county, contact that county's recorder. The state has limited marriage records for certain years but county offices provide faster service. Only the Norwalk office has marriage records available for in-person viewing. Branch offices can issue licenses but do not have records on site.

Lancaster and Antelope Valley Cities

Lancaster is the principal city of the Antelope Valley in northern Los Angeles County. The city grew rapidly in recent decades as Los Angeles area residents moved north for affordable housing. Edwards Air Force Base and aerospace companies provide many jobs. Despite being far from downtown Los Angeles, Lancaster remains part of Los Angeles County for all government services including marriage records.

Nearby Palmdale is the other major Antelope Valley city. Both cities share the Lancaster county branch office for marriage services. Other Los Angeles County cities include Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Pomona, Torrance, Norwalk, and Inglewood. All use the same county offices for marriage licenses and certificates.