Pasadena Marriage Records

Pasadena marriage records are handled by Los Angeles County. Cities do not issue marriage licenses in California. All marriage licensing and vital records are managed at the county level. Los Angeles County operates the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office with seven branch locations. Pasadena residents can visit any of these branches to apply for a marriage license or obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. The closest branch offices to Pasadena include Alhambra and the main office in Norwalk. All branches provide the same services regardless of which one you choose. You do not need to visit a specific location based on where you live in the county.

Los Angeles County Marriage Services

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk handles all marriage services for Pasadena residents. Phone is (800) 201-8999 to reach the main office. Visit lavote.gov for current hours and branch locations. You must complete an online application before your in-person visit. The application stays on file for 90 days.

Both parties must appear together in person per California Family Code section 359. Bring valid photo identification when you visit. Acceptable IDs include a California driver license, state ID card, passport, or alien resident card. Your ID must show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates. Some offices may also request your birth certificate though this is not required statewide.

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 to get married here. No waiting period applies under California law. You can marry the same day you get your license if you arrive early enough.

Public and Confidential Licenses

California offers two types of marriage licenses. Public marriage licenses become part of the public record after your marriage is registered. Anyone can request copies once the license is recorded. Public licenses require at least one witness to 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 the married parties can obtain copies unless a court orders otherwise. No witnesses are required for confidential marriages. The choice between public and confidential affects privacy only. Both types have the same legal effect on your marriage.

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

Express 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 marriage license fee.

Call ahead to schedule your express ceremony appointment. Popular times fill up quickly. Weekends and holidays book especially 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 and official.

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

Obtaining Marriage Certificates

After your wedding, the person who performed your marriage must return the completed license to Los Angeles County within 10 days. This is required under California Family Code section 359. The county registers your marriage and creates the official certificate. You must request certified copies separately. They are not provided automatically after the ceremony.

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

Order copies from any Los Angeles County branch office. Visit in person for faster service. Mail requests take longer to process. Only the Norwalk office has marriage records available for viewing in person. The other branch offices can process copy orders but cannot provide access to view the actual records on file.

State Records Access

The California Department of Public Health keeps marriage records for select years. The state maintains public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to the present. CDPH does not maintain confidential marriage records at all under state policy.

State processing takes 5 to 7 weeks on average according to CDPH. Los Angeles County provides much faster service. Pasadena 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

Pasadena is in southwestern Los Angeles County. Glendale sits to the west. Burbank is northwest. Los Angeles borders to the south and west. All cities in Los Angeles County use the same Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office system for marriage services.