Oceanside Marriage Records

Oceanside marriage records are maintained by San Diego County offices. Cities in California do not issue marriage licenses independently. All marriage licensing and vital records services for Oceanside residents are handled at the county level. San Diego County operates the Recorder-County Clerk office where couples apply for marriage licenses and obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. Oceanside residents use these county facilities along with other residents throughout San Diego County for all marriage-related services and document requests.

San Diego County Clerk Office

The San Diego County Recorder-County Clerk handles all marriage services for Oceanside residents. The main office is in San Diego. Visit the county website for current hours and services. Both parties must appear together in person to apply for a marriage license. You cannot send someone in your place or apply by mail. California law requires joint personal appearance under Family Code section 359. Bring valid photo identification such as a driver license, passport, state ID card, or military ID when you visit.

Your ID must show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates. Some counties may also ask for your birth certificate though this is not required statewide. If you were married before, you need to know when that marriage ended and whether it ended by death, divorce, dissolution, or annulment. Some counties require a copy of your divorce decree or death certificate if your previous marriage ended recently.

No blood test is required to get a marriage license in California. This requirement was eliminated many years ago. San Diego County charges approximately $70 for a public marriage license. Your license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can use it anywhere in California. There is no waiting period. You can marry the same day you receive your license.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

California offers two types of marriage licenses. Public marriage licenses are the standard option used by most couples. These become part of the public record once registered with the county recorder. Anyone can request a certified copy of a public marriage certificate. At least one witness must sign the license at the ceremony. A second witness signature is optional.

Confidential marriage licenses have been available in California since 1971. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Minors cannot use confidential licenses. The couple must be living together as spouses at the time they apply. No witnesses are required at the ceremony for confidential marriages. These records are not open to public inspection under California Family Code sections 500 through 511. Only the married parties can obtain copies unless a court orders otherwise.

The choice between public and confidential marriage affects who can access your record later. Public records are searchable by anyone. Employers, family members, or anyone else can request copies. Confidential records stay private. Only you and your spouse can get copies. This privacy protection lasts forever under California law.

Getting Marriage Certificates

After your wedding, the person who performed your marriage ceremony must return the completed license to San Diego County within 10 days. This is required under California Family Code section 359. The officiant fills in ceremony details and obtains required signatures. For public marriages, at least one witness must sign. You do not automatically receive a copy of your marriage certificate after the ceremony. You must request and pay for certified copies separately.

Contact San Diego County to order certified copies. Most counties offer in-person service, mail requests, and online ordering. In-person requests often result in same-day service. Mail requests typically take one to two weeks. Fees are $19 per certified copy as of January 2026 in most counties. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64 which took effect at the start of 2026. For public marriage records, anyone can request copies. For confidential marriage records, only the married parties can request copies.

State Marriage Records Access

The California Department of Public Health Vital Records division keeps marriage records for limited years. The state has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to the present. CDPH does not maintain confidential marriage records at all. State processing times average 5 to 7 weeks compared to same-day or next-day service at most counties. Oceanside residents typically use San Diego County for faster results.

Processing times at the state level average 5 to 7 weeks according to CDPH. County offices are almost always faster. The state recommends requesting records from counties when possible. Counties have more complete records and can process requests much quicker than the state office in Sacramento.

Nearby San Diego County Cities

Oceanside is located in northern San Diego County. Vista sits to the east. Carlsbad is south. San Marcos lies southeast. All these cities use the same San Diego County office system for marriage services. San Diego County serves over three million residents across numerous cities throughout the region.