Rancho Cucamonga Marriage Records
Rancho Cucamonga residents get marriage licenses and records from San Bernardino County. The city is part of San Bernardino County, so all marriage licenses go through the county system. Couples can apply for a license at any San Bernardino County office, and the record becomes part of the county database once filed. You can search for marriage records online or visit an office in person to get copies of certificates.
Rancho Cucamonga Quick Facts
Where to Get Licenses
San Bernardino County handles all marriage records for Rancho Cucamonga. The main office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. Both people must show up in person with a valid ID. No one can apply for you or mail in your forms. You need to be there when you get the license.
The county has more than one office if the main one is too far. Check the San Bernardino County website to see all the places you can go. All offices give out the same license. It does not matter which one you visit. Most people pick the one that is close to their home or work.
You can start your form online before you go. Visit the county marriage license page and fill out the form. This saves time when you show up. You still need to visit in person to finish it. The online form stays on file for a while, so do not wait too long after you start it.
| Office | San Bernardino County Clerk-Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 222 West Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022 |
| Phone | (909) 387-8306 |
| Website | arc.sbcounty.gov |
Appointments are a good idea if you do not want to wait. You can book one online. Walk-ins are okay but you may sit longer. Staff help people with appointments first. If you have a busy schedule, make an appointment so you know when you will be done.
How to Apply
Both people must be 18 or older to marry in California. You do not need to be a California resident to get a license here. People from other states can come to Rancho Cucamonga to get married. The license works anywhere in California once you have it.
Bring a photo ID when you go. A driver license or passport works best. If you were married before, you need to know when it ended and how. Some offices ask for proof like a divorce decree. Call ahead to see what you need if your case is not simple.
The license costs about $100 depending on what type you get. Public licenses are less than confidential ones. A public license becomes a public record after you marry. Anyone can look it up. A confidential license stays private and only the two of you can get copies. Under California Family Code sections 500 to 511, confidential licenses require you to live together as a couple when you apply.
The license is good for 90 days. You must get married within that time or it expires. There is no wait time. You can marry the same day you get the license if you want. After the ceremony, your officiant has 10 days to return the signed license to the county. Once the county records it, you can order a copy of your marriage certificate.
Requesting Marriage Certificates
Wait about two weeks after your wedding to request a certificate. The county needs time to enter the data into the system. If you try too soon, they will not find your record yet. Call first if you are in a hurry to see if your record is ready.
You can get a copy in person at the county office. Take your ID with you. If you want a certified copy instead of just information, you need to sign a form in front of a notary. The county can help you with that. Certified copies have an official seal and work for legal matters like name changes or tax forms.
To order by mail, send a written request with your payment. Make checks payable to San Bernardino County Clerk-Recorder. Do not send cash. Include both names, the date of the marriage, and where it took place. Processing takes a few weeks. If you need it faster, go in person or try online ordering.
VitalChek offers online orders for marriage certificates from San Bernardino County. Visit vitalchek.com and choose California, then San Bernardino County. You pay extra fees for the service but it can be quicker than mail. Expect 3 to 4 weeks for processing even with online orders.
The fee is $19 per certificate as of January 2026. This went up by $2 due to a new state law called AB 64. All California counties charge the same amount for state copies. Some may add extra fees for same-day service or rush orders.
Note: Only the married couple can get copies of a confidential marriage certificate unless a court orders it.
California Marriage Law
California law defines marriage as a contract between two people. See California Family Code section 300 for the full definition. You must get a license and have a ceremony to be legally married. Just living together or saying you are married does not count.
You can have anyone marry you as long as they are authorized. Clergy, judges, and some county workers can do it. The county clerk can appoint someone to be a deputy for a day if you want a friend or family member to perform the ceremony. Ask the clerk office about that program if it sounds good to you.
California does not require blood tests or a waiting period. Some states do, but not this one. You can get your license and marry right away. The state also has no residency rule. You do not have to live in California first. Tourists and people from out of state can get married here without any wait time.
State Level Records
The California Department of Public Health keeps copies of some marriage records. They have public marriages from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to now. If your marriage is not in that range, you must go to the county. The state does not have confidential marriages at all. Those stay with the county clerk forever.
State copies take 5 to 7 weeks to process. County copies are faster. Most people get what they need from the county and skip the state. The state office is in Sacramento at P.O. Box 997410, CA 95899-7410. Their phone is (916) 445-2684 if you need to ask them a question.
You can download the application form from the CDPH forms page. It is called form VS 113-A. Fill it out and send it with your payment and a notarized sworn statement if you want a certified copy. The form explains what you need. Informational copies do not need the notary part.
Fixing Errors on Records
If there is a mistake on your certificate, you can ask to fix it. Amendments to public marriage records go through the state health department. Confidential marriage amendments go through the county where you got the license. The process is different depending on what type you have.
Amendments within the first year are free. You only pay for the new copy. After one year, there is a $26 fee plus the cost of the copy. See the state fee schedule for current prices. Processing takes 9 to 11 weeks for amendments. Do not count on getting it fast.
Common reasons to amend include wrong names, wrong dates, or missing information. You need proof that the information is wrong. Bring documents like IDs or other records that show the right information. The state or county reviews your request and decides if they will make the change.
San Bernardino County Resources
Rancho Cucamonga is part of San Bernardino County. All marriage licenses and records for Rancho Cucamonga residents are handled by the county system. For more details on county procedures, office locations, and related services, visit the San Bernardino County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other large cities in the area also have marriage records through their county systems. Check these links for information on nearby places: