Search Rialto Marriage Records
Rialto residents obtain marriage licenses from San Bernardino County. The city is part of the county system, and all marriage licenses and certificates go through the county clerk office. Couples apply in person at a county office with valid identification. Once the license is recorded after the wedding, anyone can request public marriage certificates. Confidential marriage records are only available to the married couple.
Rialto Quick Facts
San Bernardino County Services
San Bernardino County handles all marriage licenses for Rialto. The main office is in the city of San Bernardino at 222 West Hospitality Lane. This is about 10 miles from Rialto. You can also check if other county offices are closer to you by visiting the county website.
Both people must appear in person with a photo ID. Driver licenses and passports work. If you have been married before, know when it ended and how. Some offices ask for proof like a divorce decree. Call ahead at (909) 387-8306 to confirm what you need before you go.
You can fill out the application online first. Visit the marriage license page and complete the form. This gives you a reference number. Take that number with you when you visit in person. It speeds up the process. You still have to show up to finish everything.
| 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 encouraged. Walk-ins are okay but you may wait longer. The county gives priority to people who book ahead. You can schedule online or by phone. Pick a time that works for you and show up on time.
Public and Confidential Licenses
San Bernardino County offers two types of marriage licenses. A public license becomes a public record once you marry. Anyone can look it up or order a copy. This is the most common type. A confidential license stays private. Only the two people who got married can request copies.
Confidential licenses require you to live together as a couple when you apply. This rule comes from California Family Code sections 500 to 511. You must sign a statement saying you meet this rule. If you do not live together, you cannot get a confidential license.
Public licenses cost a bit less than confidential ones. The exact fee changes sometimes. Call the county to get the current price. Both types are valid for 90 days from the day you get them. You can use them anywhere in California. After 90 days, they expire and you need a new one.
There is no waiting period after you get the license. You can marry the same day. Most people wait a few days or weeks to plan the ceremony, but the law does not require you to wait. Once you have the license, you can use it right away.
Who Can Marry in California
You must be 18 years old to marry in California without permission. Family Code section 301 sets this rule. Minors under 18 need a court order and parental consent. This is not common and requires a hearing in front of a judge.
California has no residency requirement for marriage. You do not need to live in the state first. People from other states and countries can come to California to get married. The license works the same for everyone no matter where you are from.
You cannot be married to anyone else when you apply. If you were married before, that marriage must be over before you can get a new license. Tell the clerk when your last marriage ended. They may ask you to prove it with divorce papers or a death certificate.
Blood tests are not required in California. Some states ask for them, but this state does not. You just need your ID and the facts about your previous marriages if any. That is all the county needs to give you a license.
Getting Your Certificate
After your wedding, the person who married you must return the signed license to the county. They have 10 days to do this under California Family Code section 359. Once the county gets it, they enter it into the system. Then you can order a copy of your marriage certificate.
Wait about two weeks before you try to get a copy. The county needs time to process the paperwork. If you ask too soon, they may not have your record yet. Call first if you are in a hurry. Staff can tell you if your record is ready.
You can get a copy in person, by mail, or online. In-person is the fastest way. Go to the county office, fill out a request form, and pay the fee. They give you the copy on the spot if your record is in the system. By mail takes longer. Send your request with payment to the county office address. Allow a few weeks for processing and delivery.
Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Choose California, then San Bernardino County. You pay extra fees for the service but it may be faster than mail. Expect 3 to 4 weeks even with online orders. VitalChek adds convenience but not speed.
The fee is $19 per certificate as of January 2026. This is up from $17 due to AB 64. All California counties charge this amount. San Bernardino County may add fees for rush service or same-day copies. Ask when you order if you need it fast.
For a certified copy, you must sign your request in front of a notary. Certified copies have an official seal and work for legal purposes. Informational copies do not need a notary. They show the facts but do not have the seal. Most people need certified copies for things like name changes or tax forms.
Note: Confidential marriage certificates are only available to the married couple unless a court orders otherwise.
California State Records
The California Department of Public Health keeps some marriage records at the state level. They have public marriages from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 forward. If your marriage is outside that range, go to the county. The state does not have confidential marriages. Those stay with the county clerk.
State copies take 5 to 7 weeks. County copies are much faster. Most people skip the state and get what they need from San Bernardino County. The state office is in Sacramento. You can call them at (916) 445-2684 or visit cdph.ca.gov for more information.
To order from the state, use form VS 113-A. Download it 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.
Correcting Your Certificate
If there is a mistake on your certificate, you can ask to fix it. Public marriage amendments go through the state health department. Confidential marriage amendments go through San Bernardino County. The process depends on what type of license you have.
Amendments in the first year are free. You just pay for a new copy. After one year, there is a $26 fee plus the copy fee. See the state fee schedule for details. Processing takes 9 to 11 weeks. Do not wait until the last minute 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 correct information. The state or county reviews your request and decides if they will approve it. Not all changes are allowed. They will explain what counts as a valid correction.
San Bernardino County Information
Rialto is in San Bernardino County. All marriage licenses and certificates for Rialto residents go through the county system. For more details on procedures, office locations, and fees, visit the San Bernardino County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in San Bernardino County also handle marriage records through the county system. Check these links for nearby locations: