Long Beach Marriage Records

Long Beach marriage records are maintained by Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk offices. As the second largest city in Los Angeles County with over 460,000 residents, Long Beach maintains no independent marriage license or vital records services. All marriage documentation for Long Beach couples must be obtained through county offices. The county operates seven branch locations where residents can apply for marriage licenses, schedule civil ceremonies, and request certified copies of marriage certificates. Long Beach residents use these same county services as all other Los Angeles County cities.

Los Angeles County Marriage License Services

Long Beach residents must use Los Angeles County for all marriage services. The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office is the only authorized agency to issue marriage licenses in the county. Seven branch offices serve the county in Norwalk, Beverly Hills, Compton, Lancaster, Van Nuys, Pomona, and Alhambra. Long Beach residents typically use the Norwalk or Compton offices due to proximity.

The main office in Norwalk is at 12400 Imperial Highway. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The Compton branch operates from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. All branches offer marriage license applications and express civil ceremonies. You can visit any county office regardless of where you live. Services are identical at all locations though hours may vary.

Both parties must appear together in person to apply for a marriage license. This is required by California law under Family Code section 359. You cannot send a representative or apply by mail. Complete the online application before your visit. The application stays on file for 90 days. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license, passport, state ID, or military ID.

Applying for a Marriage License

Start with the Los Angeles County online marriage application. The form collects basic information about both parties including names, addresses, birth dates, birth places, and parents' information. If either party was married before, you must provide the date the previous marriage ended and how it ended. Bring a divorce decree or death certificate if your last marriage ended within two years.

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

No residency requirement exists in California. You do not need to live in Los Angeles County or California. Any county can issue your license which is valid statewide for 90 days. There is no waiting period. You can marry the same day you receive your license. The marriage license costs $91 for a public license or $85 for a confidential license in Los Angeles County.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

California law provides two types of marriage licenses. Public marriage licenses are the standard option. These become public records after the county recorder registers them. Anyone can request certified copies. The license requires at least one witness at the 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 offer complete privacy under California Family Code sections 500 through 511. Both parties must be at least 18 years old and living together as spouses when they apply. You sign an affidavit about this. No witnesses are required at the ceremony. The record is not open to public inspection. Only the married parties can obtain copies unless a court orders otherwise. The county clerk maintains confidential records permanently and separately from public files.

Once you choose a license type, that choice is permanent. You cannot convert a confidential license to a public record later. Consider your privacy needs carefully before deciding. Many couples who value privacy or are remarrying choose confidential licenses.

Marriage Ceremony Services

Los Angeles County offers express civil ceremonies at all seven branch offices. The ceremony fee is $25. You can schedule an express ceremony appointment when you apply for your license. The 45-minute appointment includes time to process the license and perform the ceremony. The county provides a witness for $20 if needed. Public licenses require at least one witness. Confidential licenses do not require witnesses.

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

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the county recorder within 10 days. Once the county records the license, it becomes a marriage certificate. You can then request certified copies. The officiant will not give you a copy. You must order copies from the county yourself.

Getting 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 often receive same-day service. Mail orders take 2 to 3 weeks to process plus delivery time. VitalChek online orders include additional service fees but may process faster than mail.

For public marriage records, anyone can request an informational copy marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." These cannot be used for legal purposes. To get an authorized certified copy suitable for name changes and other legal uses, you must be a party to the marriage, a close family member, or have a court order. This requirement comes from California Health and Safety Code section 103526. Authorized copy requests require a notarized sworn statement.

Confidential marriage certificates are available only to the married parties regardless of copy type. Even family members cannot obtain them. A court order is the only exception. The county clerk maintains these records separately. The privacy protection is permanent.

Additional Marriage Record Services

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

If you need to amend a marriage record due to an error, 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 available on the CDPH Vital Records website. Amendments within the first year are free to file but you pay for certified copies. After one year, the amendment fee is $26 which includes one amended copy.

Los Angeles County maintains records only for marriages where the license was purchased in Los Angeles County. If you married in another county, contact that county's recorder office. The state has limited marriage records for certain year ranges 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 for searching.

Long Beach and Los Angeles County Cities

Long Beach is a major port city on the Pacific coast in southern Los Angeles County. The city has its own airport, harbor, and many independent city services. Despite this independence, marriage licenses remain a county function under California law. No city in California issues marriage licenses or maintains marriage records. All such services are provided at the county level.

Other major Los Angeles County cities include Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Pomona, Torrance, Lancaster, Palmdale, Norwalk, and Inglewood. All these cities use the same county offices for marriage licenses and certificates. The process is identical regardless of which city you live in within Los Angeles County.