Ontario Marriage Records

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

San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk

The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk handles all marriage services for Ontario residents. The main office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor, San Bernardino. Phone is (909) 387-8306. Visit the county website for current hours and services. Appointments are strongly encouraged and prioritized by the county.

Both parties must appear together in person to apply for a marriage license under California Family Code section 359. Bring valid photo identification when you visit. Acceptable forms of ID include a California driver license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Your ID must show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates. Online applications are available and provide an order number for booking appointments.

San Bernardino County charges approximately $92 for a marriage license. Your 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 San Bernardino County or California to get married here. No blood test is required in California. This requirement was eliminated many years ago. No waiting period applies under California law. You can marry the same day you obtain your license.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

California offers two types of marriage licenses. Public marriage licenses become part of the public record once registered with San Bernardino County. Anyone can request certified copies of public marriage certificates. These records are searchable by the general public. Public licenses require at least one witness to sign at the wedding ceremony. A second witness signature is optional.

Confidential marriage licenses stay private under California Family Code sections 500 through 511. Only the parties to the marriage may be provided a certified copy of a confidential marriage record. No witnesses are required at the ceremony for confidential marriages. These records are not open to public inspection. Employers, family members, and anyone else cannot request copies.

Both parties must be 18 or older for confidential licenses. The couple must be living together as spouses when they apply for a confidential license. Most Ontario couples choose public licenses for ease of access. Some select confidential licenses for privacy reasons. Your marriage record will not appear in public searches if you choose confidential. Both types have the same legal effect on your marriage. The only difference is privacy and accessibility.

Getting Certified Copies

After your wedding, the officiant returns the completed license to San Bernardino County within 10 days. The county registers your marriage and creates the certificate. You must request certified copies separately. Fees are $19 per certified copy as of January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. Contact the county to order copies by mail or in person.

State Records

The California Department of Public Health keeps marriage records for select years. State processing takes 5 to 7 weeks. San Bernardino County provides faster service. Ontario residents typically use the county for quicker results.

Nearby Cities

Ontario is in southwestern San Bernardino County. Rancho Cucamonga is east. Fontana sits to the north. Victorville and Hesperia are further north. All use the same San Bernardino County office for marriage services.