Oakland Marriage Records

Oakland marriage records are maintained by Alameda County Clerk-Recorder offices. Cities in California do not issue marriage licenses independently. The county handles all marriage licensing and vital records services for Oakland and surrounding areas. Alameda County operates offices in Oakland and Dublin where residents can apply for marriage licenses and obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. Oakland residents use these county facilities along with residents from Fremont, Berkeley, Hayward, and other Alameda County cities.

Alameda County Clerk-Recorder

The Alameda County Clerk-Recorder office is at 1106 Madison Street, First Floor, in Oakland. Phone is (510) 272-6362. Toll-free number is (888) 280-7708. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Recording services close at 4:30 PM. Visit the county website for current information.

A satellite office operates at 7600 Dublin Blvd in Dublin. This office offers limited services by appointment. Most Oakland residents use the main Oakland location on Madison Street. The office sits near Lake Merritt BART station for convenient access by public transit. Metered street parking is available nearby.

Both parties must appear together in person to apply for a marriage license. California law requires this under Family Code section 359. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license or passport. You can complete an online application before your visit. The application stays valid for 30 days.

Marriage Services in Oakland

Alameda County offers virtual marriage services via video conference. Both parties must be physically in California during the ceremony. The county performs in-person civil ceremonies at the Oakland location by appointment only. Up to 25 guests can attend ceremonies in the building. Express ceremony options are available for couples who need faster service.

The county runs a Volunteer Deputy Marriage Commissioner program. Community members can apply to become authorized to perform marriages. A One-Time Deputy Commissioner program lets friends or family members officiate a single wedding ceremony. Details about both programs are on the county website.

Public marriage licenses cost approximately $105 in Alameda County. Confidential licenses have similar fees. The exact amount may vary based on county updates. Your license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can use it anywhere in California. No waiting period exists. You can marry the same day you get the license.

Getting Certified Copies

After your wedding, the officiant returns the completed license to Alameda County within 10 days. The county registers your marriage and creates the official certificate. You must request certified copies separately. The county can only issue copies if your marriage license was purchased and recorded in Alameda County.

Mail orders take approximately 2 to 3 weeks to process from receipt. Allow up to 7 additional days for delivery. In-person requests may be available for same-day or next-day service. Written applications must be notarized for authorized copies. International requests require notarization at a U.S. Embassy.

Certified copies cost $19 each as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64. For public marriages, anyone can order copies. For confidential marriages, only the married parties or those with a court order can obtain copies.

State Records Access

The California Department of Public Health maintains marriage records for select years. The state has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. CDPH does not keep confidential marriage records. State processing averages 5 to 7 weeks. Alameda County provides faster service for most requests.

Oakland residents typically use the county office for quicker results. The county has complete records and processes requests within weeks instead of months. Use the state office only if you need very old records or if you cannot visit the county office in person.

Nearby Alameda County Cities

Oakland is the largest city in Alameda County. Berkeley sits to the north. Fremont is south. Hayward lies southeast. San Leandro is directly south of Oakland. All these cities use the same Alameda County Clerk-Recorder office for marriage services.

Alameda County serves over 1.6 million residents. The Oakland office handles marriage applications from across the county. Visit during off-peak hours to avoid wait times. Arrive early if you need same-day service.