Find Redding Marriage Records

Marriage licenses and certificates for Redding are handled through Shasta County. Redding is the largest city and county seat of Shasta County. All couples getting married in Redding apply at the County Clerk-Recorder office located in the city. Records are kept by the county and you can request copies in person, by mail, or online through approved services. The process is the same as for any other city in Shasta County.

Shasta County Clerk Office

The Shasta County Clerk-Recorder office is right in Redding at 1643 Market Street. This makes it easy for Redding residents to get their license without driving far. Both people must go in person with ID to apply. You cannot send someone else or fill it out online by yourself.

The office handles all vital records including birth, death, and marriage certificates for the whole county. Staff can answer questions about what you need and how long it takes. Call (530) 225-5730 if you want to check before you visit. Hours may change, so it is smart to call ahead and make sure they are open.

Parking is available near the office. Bring cash or a card for payment. Check or money order works for fees. Do not send cash if you mail a request. The county needs a way to track your payment if something goes wrong.

How to Get a License

You must be 18 or older to marry in California. Under California Family Code section 301, minors under 18 can only marry with court permission and parental consent. This is rare and requires a court hearing. Most couples are over 18 and do not need extra steps.

Bring your driver license or passport when you apply. Both people sign the form at the same time in front of the clerk. If you were married before, tell them when it ended. Some counties want to see your divorce papers. Ask when you call if you are not sure what they need from you.

Shasta County offers public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license becomes a public record once you marry. Anyone can look it up later. A confidential license stays private between you and your spouse. Only the two of you can get copies. Confidential licenses require you to live together as a couple when you apply. This is set by state law in Family Code sections 500 to 511.

The license is good for 90 days from the day you get it. You can use it anywhere in California. If you do not marry within 90 days, it expires and you must get a new one. There is no wait time after you get it. You can marry the same day if you want.

After You Get Married

Your officiant must return the signed license to the county within 10 days. This is required by California Family Code section 359. Once the county gets it back, they record your marriage in the official files. Then you can order a copy of your certificate.

Wait at least two weeks before you try to get a certificate. The county needs time to enter the information into the computer. If you call too soon, they may not find your record yet. Ask the clerk how long to wait when you get your license so you know when to come back.

You can request a certificate in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online. In-person is fastest. You walk in, fill out a form, pay the fee, and get your copy. By mail takes a few weeks. Online through VitalChek adds extra fees but may be faster than mail.

The fee for a marriage certificate is $19 as of January 2026. This is up from $17 due to AB 64. The new fee applies to all California counties. Shasta County may charge more for same-day service or rush orders. Call to ask about extra fees if you are in a hurry.

If you want a certified copy, you need to sign a form in front of a notary. Certified copies have a seal and work for legal purposes like changing your name on a license or passport. Informational copies do not need a notary but they are not valid for official use. They just show the facts without the seal.

State Department of Public Health

California keeps some marriage records at the state level. The Department of Public Health has public marriages from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to now. If your marriage falls outside that range, you must go to the county. The state does not have confidential marriages. Those stay with the county clerk.

State copies take 5 to 7 weeks to process. County copies are much faster. Most people skip the state and go straight to Shasta County for their records. The state office is in Sacramento and you can reach them at (916) 445-2684 or see their website at cdph.ca.gov.

If you need to order from the state, download form VS 113-A from the CDPH forms page. Fill it out and mail it with payment to P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410. Include a notarized sworn statement if you want a certified copy. Informational copies do not need the notary part.

California Marriage Rules

California does not require blood tests for marriage. Some states do, but not this one. You also do not need to be a California resident. People from other states or countries can come here to marry. There is no waiting period. You can get your license and marry right away.

You can have anyone perform the ceremony as long as they are authorized. Clergy, judges, and some county staff can do it. The county clerk can appoint someone to be a deputy for one day if you want a friend or family member to marry you. Ask the clerk office about that option when you get your license.

California defines marriage as a civil contract between two people under Family Code section 300. You must have a license and a ceremony to be legally married. Consent alone is not enough. The ceremony can be religious or civil. It can be big or small. The law does not care as long as you have the right paperwork.

Changing Your Name

You can change your name when you marry in California. Family Code section 306.5 lets you pick a new middle or last name when you apply for your license. You do not have to change your name if you do not want to. Neither person is required to take the other person's name.

If you decide to change your name, write the new name on the license form. Once the county records your marriage, the certificate proves the name change. You can use the certificate to update your Social Security card, driver license, passport, and other documents. No extra court order is needed if you do it when you marry.

Both people can change their names. One can change and the other can keep their name. You can also combine names or make up a new one together. The law is flexible. Just write what you want on the form and the county will record it that way.

Fixing Mistakes

If your certificate has wrong information, you can ask to fix it. Amendments to public marriage records go through the state health department. Confidential marriage amendments go through Shasta County. The process depends on what type of license you got.

Amendments within one year are free. You just pay for the new copy. After one year, there is a $26 fee plus the copy fee. See the state fee page for details. Processing takes 9 to 11 weeks. Plan ahead if you need the corrected copy soon.

You need proof that the record is wrong. Bring IDs, birth certificates, or other documents that show the right facts. The state or county reviews your request and decides whether to approve it. Not all changes are allowed. They will tell you if your reason counts as a valid correction.

Note: Name changes after marriage require a separate court process if you did not do it when you first married.

Shasta County Resources

Redding is in Shasta County and all marriage services go through the county clerk office. For complete information on county procedures, office hours, and related resources, visit the Shasta County marriage records page.

View Shasta County Marriage Records