Search Palmdale Marriage Records

Palmdale marriage records are maintained by Los Angeles County offices. Cities in California do not issue marriage licenses independently. All marriage licensing and vital records services for Palmdale residents are handled at the county level. Los Angeles County operates the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office with seven branch locations throughout the county where couples apply for marriage licenses and obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. Palmdale residents typically use the Lancaster branch office which serves the Antelope Valley region. This branch handles all marriage services for residents in northern Los Angeles County including Palmdale and Lancaster.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk handles all marriage services for Palmdale residents. The Lancaster branch office serves the Antelope Valley. Phone is (800) 201-8999. Visit the county website for current hours. 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. You need a California ID, driver license, passport, or alien resident card as proof of age.

Los Angeles County requires an online application before your in-person visit. Complete the application online. It stays on file for 90 days. Then visit any branch location with your partner. You can visit any of the seven branch offices regardless of where you live in the county. Most Palmdale residents use Lancaster since it is closest. The main office in Norwalk also serves the entire county.

Los Angeles County charges $91 for a public marriage license. A confidential license costs $85. Your license is valid for 90 days from the date you complete your in-person visit. You can use it anywhere in California. No residency requirement exists. You do not need to live in Los Angeles County or California. No waiting period applies. You can marry the same day you get your license if you arrive early enough.

Marriage License Types

California offers two types of marriage licenses. Public marriage licenses become part of the public record. Anyone can request copies after your marriage is registered. At least one witness must sign at the ceremony. Los Angeles County can provide a witness for a $20 fee if you need one.

Confidential marriage licenses stay private under California Family Code sections 500 through 511. Only married parties can obtain copies unless a court orders otherwise. No witnesses are required for confidential marriages. Both types have the same legal effect. The choice affects privacy only.

Confidential marriages became an option in California in 1971. Many couples choose this type for privacy reasons. Your marriage record will not appear in public searches. Employers and family members cannot request copies. Only you and your spouse have access. This protection lasts forever under California law.

Express Marriage Ceremonies

Los Angeles County offers express marriage ceremonies at all seven branch locations. You can get your license and marry in the same appointment. The county schedules 45 minutes for the license application plus the express ceremony. A civil ceremony costs $25. This is separate from the license fee.

Call ahead to schedule your express ceremony appointment. Popular times fill up quickly. Weekends and holidays book fast. Plan several weeks in advance if you want a specific date. You can bring guests to witness the occasion. The ceremony is brief but legally binding.

For same-day service without an appointment, arrive early. The Norwalk office serves walk-ins until 3:00 PM. District offices including Lancaster serve until 3:30 PM. Applications submitted after these times get processed the next business day. Processing at the window takes about one hour if you arrive during regular hours.

Getting Certified Copies

After your wedding, the officiant returns the completed license to Los Angeles County within 10 days. This is required under California law. The county registers your marriage and creates the certificate. You must request certified copies separately. They are not provided automatically.

Certified copies cost $19 each as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64. Los Angeles County residents directly impacted by fires can request vital records at no cost to support recovery efforts. Contact the county to see if you qualify for this waiver.

Order copies from any branch office. Visit in person for faster service. Mail requests take longer. Only the Norwalk office has marriage records available for viewing in person. The other branches can process orders but cannot provide access to view the records themselves.

State Records

The California Department of Public Health keeps marriage records for select 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 takes 5 to 7 weeks. Los Angeles County provides much faster service.

Palmdale residents typically use the county office for quicker results. The county processes requests within days or weeks instead of months. Use the state office only if you cannot visit the county or need records from years when county records are not easily accessible.

Nearby Cities

Palmdale is in northern Los Angeles County in the Antelope Valley. Lancaster sits directly to the east and shares the same branch office. Santa Clarita is south over the mountains. Los Angeles is about 60 miles south. All use the same Los Angeles County office system for marriage services.