Search Marriage Records in Murrieta

Murrieta marriage records are handled by Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder offices. Murrieta is a fast-growing city in southwest Riverside County with over 116,000 residents. The city does not operate marriage license services or maintain vital records. All marriage documentation for Murrieta couples goes through Riverside County offices located in Riverside, Hemet, Murrieta, and Palm Desert. Residents benefit from having a county branch office right in Murrieta for convenient local access to marriage services. The Murrieta office provides full marriage license services and certificate requests.

Riverside County Clerk-Recorder Services

All Murrieta marriage licenses come from Riverside County. The Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder operates four office locations throughout the county. Murrieta residents have the convenience of a branch office located right in their city. This branch office provides the same services as the main office in Riverside. Additional branches operate in Hemet and Palm Desert.

The Murrieta office serves residents in southwest Riverside County. Office hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Check the county website for exact hours and any holiday closures. Riverside County strongly recommends making an appointment before you visit. Appointments ensure faster service and reduce wait times. You can book appointments online through the county website.

Both parties must appear together in person to apply for a marriage license. California law requires joint personal appearance. You cannot send someone in your place or apply by mail. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Your ID must show your photograph, birth date, and valid issue and expiration dates.

Getting a Marriage License in Riverside County

Check if Riverside County offers an online application to start the process before your appointment. Many counties now provide online forms that stay on file for a set period. The application asks for basic information about both parties. You need full 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, or annulment.

Visit the Murrieta office or any other Riverside County location with your partner. Both of you must go together. The clerk will review your information and issue the license. Processing usually takes less than an hour if the office is not busy. Ask about processing times when you make your appointment so you know whether to expect same-day service or next-day pickup.

Your marriage 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 Riverside County or California. Any county in the state can issue your license which is valid statewide. There is no waiting period. You can marry the same day you get your license. Marriage license fees vary by county so check the Riverside County fee schedule before you visit.

Public and Confidential Marriage Options

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. Minors cannot use confidential licenses even with parental consent. The couple must be living together as spouses when they apply. You will sign an affidavit stating this fact. No witnesses are required for 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 marriage records permanently. These records are kept separate from public marriage files. Once you choose a license type, that choice is permanent. You cannot convert a confidential marriage to a public record later. Consider your privacy needs before deciding which type to use.

Marriage Ceremony Arrangements

Riverside County may offer civil marriage ceremonies at its office locations including Murrieta. Contact the county to ask about ceremony availability, scheduling, and fees. Civil ceremonies are simple legal proceedings performed by a county official. They fulfill the legal requirement for marriage solemnization but are not elaborate events. You can bring a small number of guests if the county allows.

You may arrange a private ceremony with any officiant authorized under California law. Authorized officiants include priests, ministers, rabbis, judges, retired judges, court commissioners, and people authorized by religious organizations 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 legal requirements.

After your ceremony, the officiant signs and returns the license to the county recorder. The officiant has 10 days to return the completed license. Once the county records the license, 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 request copies in person at any Riverside County office including Murrieta, by mail, or online through VitalChek. In-person requests may receive same-day service if the record is available. Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks to process plus delivery time.

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. 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 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. Even family members cannot get them. A court order is the only exception. The county clerk maintains these records separately. The privacy protection is permanent.

Other Marriage Record Services

If you need to amend a marriage record due to an error, contact the California Department of Public Health Vital Records division. Riverside 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.

Riverside County maintains records only for marriages where the license was purchased in Riverside County. If you married in another county, contact that county's recorder office. The California Department of Public Health has limited marriage records for certain year ranges. For most requests, the county where you bought the license provides the fastest service.

VitalChek provides online ordering for Riverside County marriage certificates. The service charges additional handling fees beyond the county's $19 certificate fee. Processing through VitalChek may be faster than mail orders but slower than in-person requests. Visit vitalchek.com and select Riverside County to place an order.

Murrieta and Southwest Riverside County

Murrieta is located in southwest Riverside County near the San Diego County border. The city grew rapidly in the 1990s and 2000s as new housing developments attracted families. Nearby Temecula is also a major city in this area. Both cities benefit from the Murrieta county branch office which serves the southwest part of the county. Despite being a modern growing city, Murrieta does not operate independent vital records services. State law assigns marriage functions to counties.

Other Riverside County cities include Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, Hemet, and Indio. All these cities use the same Riverside County offices for marriage licenses and certificates. Residents can visit any of the four county office locations regardless of which city they live in.