Newport Beach Marriage Records

Newport Beach marriage records are processed through Orange County Clerk-Recorder offices in Santa Ana. Newport Beach is an upscale coastal city in Orange County with about 86,000 residents. The city does not maintain marriage license services or vital records. All marriage documentation for Newport Beach couples must be obtained through Orange County at 601 North Ross Street in Santa Ana or at the Old County Courthouse branch at 211 West Santa Ana Boulevard. Residents can apply for marriage licenses, schedule civil ceremonies, and request certified copies of marriage certificates at either county location.

Orange County Clerk-Recorder Services

Orange County handles all marriage licenses for Newport Beach residents. The Orange County Clerk-Recorder office is the only authorized agency to issue marriage licenses valid in California. The main office is at 601 North Ross Street in Santa Ana. The Old County Courthouse at 211 West Santa Ana Boulevard also provides full marriage services. Both locations offer license applications, civil ceremonies, and certified copy requests.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM at both locations. Orange County accepts both walk-in customers and appointments for marriage licenses. The county strongly recommends scheduling an appointment online to reduce wait times. All customers must complete an online marriage application before visiting either office. The online form stays on file for 90 days after submission.

Both parties must appear together in person to receive the marriage license. You cannot apply by mail or send a representative. California law requires joint appearance under Family Code section 359. 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 issue and expiration dates.

Applying for a Marriage License

Start by completing the online application on the Orange County marriage services page. The form collects basic information about both parties including full names, birth dates, birth places, and parents' names. You need to provide Social Security numbers if you have them. If either party was married before, list the date the previous marriage ended and whether it ended by death, divorce, or annulment.

No residency requirement exists in California. You do not need to live in Orange County or California to get married here. Any California county can issue your license. The license is valid statewide for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can use an Orange County license for a ceremony in any other California county. There is no waiting period after you receive the license. You can marry the same day if you choose.

Orange County charges marriage license fees set by state law and local ordinances. Check the current fee schedule on the county website before you visit as fees are subject to change. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 each as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64 which took effect at the start of 2026.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

California offers two license types. Public marriage licenses are the most common choice. These become part of the public record after the county recorder registers them. Anyone can request and receive a certified copy of a public marriage certificate. The license requires at least one witness signature at your ceremony. You may have up to two witnesses sign. The county recorder serves as the local registrar for public marriages.

Confidential marriage licenses provide complete privacy under California Family Code sections 500 through 511. Both parties must be at least 18 years old to qualify. Minors cannot use confidential licenses. 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. If you choose a confidential license, that choice is permanent. You cannot later convert it to a public record. Consider your privacy needs carefully before deciding which type to use.

Marriage Ceremony Arrangements

Orange County offers civil marriage ceremonies at both office locations. You can schedule a ceremony when you pick up your license or arrange it separately. The county charges a ceremony fee in addition to the license fee. Civil ceremonies are brief legal proceedings performed by a county official. They satisfy the legal requirement for marriage solemnization but are not elaborate events.

You may arrange a private ceremony with any officiant authorized under California law. This includes clergy of any denomination, judges, retired judges, court commissioners, or anyone authorized by a religious organization. Your officiant does not need to register with the county in advance. The officiant must complete and sign the marriage license after the ceremony. They have 10 days to return the completed license to the Orange County Recorder office.

Once the county records your license, it becomes a marriage certificate. You can then request certified copies. Copies ordered in person at the county office may be available the same day. Mail requests take longer to process. VitalChek online ordering is also available for Orange County marriage certificates with additional service fees.

Requesting Marriage Certificates

The Orange County vital records section handles marriage certificate requests. Certified copies cost $19 each as of January 2026. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online ordering. In-person requests often receive same-day service if the record is on file. Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks depending on processing volume.

For public marriage records, anyone can request an informational copy marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." These copies show most information on the certificate but cannot be used for legal purposes. To get an authorized certified copy suitable for legal use, you must be a party to the marriage, a close family member, or have a court order under Health and Safety Code section 103526.

Confidential marriage certificates are available only to the married parties regardless of copy type. Even family members cannot get copies. A court order is the only exception. If you need to prove a confidential marriage to someone else, consider getting a court order or using alternative documentation.

Other Marriage Record Services

If you need to amend your marriage record due to an error or name change, contact the California Department of Public Health Vital Records division. Orange County cannot amend public marriage certificates. The state handles all amendments. Amendment fees and application forms are on the CDPH Vital Records website. Amendments within the first year cost nothing for registration but you pay for each certified copy. After one year, the fee is $26 which includes one amended copy.

Orange County maintains records only for marriages where the license was purchased in Orange 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 is your fastest source.

VitalChek provides online ordering for Orange 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 Orange County to place an order.

Newport Beach and Orange County Cities

Newport Beach is a coastal resort city known for its harbor, beaches, and upscale neighborhoods. The city attracts tourists and boating enthusiasts year-round. Balboa Island and the Newport Beach Pier are popular destinations. Despite being an affluent and well-known city, Newport Beach does not operate independent vital records services. All marriage functions remain at the county level as required by California state law.

Other Orange County cities include Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, and Mission Viejo. Residents of all these cities use the same Orange County Clerk-Recorder office for marriage licenses and certificates. The process is identical regardless of which city you live in within the county.