Richmond Marriage Records
Richmond residents get marriage licenses from Contra Costa County. The city is part of the county system and all marriage services go through the county clerk. Couples must apply in person at a county office with identification. After the wedding, the license is recorded and copies become available. Public marriages can be looked up by anyone. Confidential marriages stay private between the married couple and are not open to the public.
Richmond Quick Facts
Contra Costa County Clerk
Contra Costa County handles marriage licenses for Richmond residents. The main office is in Martinez, the county seat. Both people must show up in person with a valid photo ID. No one else can apply for you. This rule applies to all California counties.
You can fill out the form online before you go. Visit the Contra Costa County Clerk website to start your application. This saves time when you get there. You still need to visit in person to finish and sign the papers.
| Office | Contra Costa County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 555 Escobar Street Martinez, CA 94553 |
| Phone | (925) 335-7900 |
| Website | contracostavote.gov/countyclerk |
The office accepts credit and debit cards but may charge a small service fee. Cash and checks work too. Do not send cash by mail if you order copies later. Make checks payable to Contra Costa County Clerk. Call ahead to confirm hours and what you need to bring.
Getting Your License
You must be 18 years old to marry in California. California Family Code section 301 sets this rule. Minors under 18 need court permission and a parent's consent. This is rare and requires a hearing.
Bring your driver license or passport when you apply. If you were married before, tell the clerk when it ended and how. Some counties want to see divorce papers. Ask when you call if you are not sure what they need. Most counties just need the date and how the marriage ended.
Contra Costa County offers public and confidential licenses. A public license becomes a public record once you marry. Anyone can look it up. A confidential license stays private. Only the married couple can get copies. Confidential licenses require you to live together as a couple when you apply. This comes from California Family Code sections 500 to 511.
The license is good for 90 days. You can use it anywhere in California. If you do not marry within 90 days, it expires. There is no wait period. You can marry the same day you get the license if you want. Most couples wait a few days or weeks to plan the ceremony.
Your officiant has 10 days to return the signed license to the county after the wedding. This is required by Family Code section 359. Once the county gets it back, they record your marriage. Then you can order a certificate.
After You Marry
Wait at least two weeks before you ask for a certificate. The county needs time to enter the data. If you try too soon, they may not find your record. Call first to see if your record is ready. This saves you a trip if it is not in the system yet.
You can get a copy in person at the county office. Take your ID and fill out a form. Pay the fee and they give you the copy if your record is ready. By mail takes longer. Send your request with payment to the office address. Allow a few weeks for them to process it and mail it back.
Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Choose California and then Contra Costa County. You pay extra fees but it may be faster than mail. Expect 2 to 3 weeks for processing. VitalChek adds convenience, not speed.
The fee is $19 per certificate as of January 2026. This is up by $2 due to AB 64. All California counties charge this amount. Contra Costa may add fees for rush service. Ask about extra charges when you order if you need it fast.
Certified copies need a notarized signature. The notary confirms you are who you say you are. Certified copies have a seal and work for legal uses like name changes. Informational copies do not need a notary. They just show the facts without the seal. Most people need certified copies.
Note: Only the married couple can get confidential marriage certificates unless a court orders it.
State Health Department
California keeps some marriage records at the state level. The Department of Public Health has 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 forever.
State copies take 5 to 7 weeks. County copies are much faster. Most people skip the state and go to Contra Costa County instead. The state office is in Sacramento. Call (916) 445-2684 or visit cdph.ca.gov for 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 statement if you want a certified copy.
Marriage Law in California
California does not require blood tests. You do not need to be a resident either. People from other states or countries can marry here. There is no waiting period after you get your license. These rules make California an easy place to get married.
Anyone authorized by the state can perform your ceremony. 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 about this when you get your license.
Family Code section 300 defines marriage as a civil contract. You need a license and a ceremony to be legally married. Consent alone is not enough. The ceremony can be religious or civil, big or small. The law does not care as long as you have the paperwork.
Changing Names
You can change your name when you marry in California. Family Code section 306.5 lets you pick a new middle or last name on the license form. You do not have to change your name if you do not want to. Neither person is required to take the other's name.
Write the new name on the form when you apply. After the county records your marriage, the certificate proves the name change. Use it to update your Social Security card, driver license, and passport. No extra court order is needed if you do it when you marry.
Both people can change names. One can change and the other can stay the same. You can combine names or make up a new one. The law is flexible. Just write what you want and the county records it that way.
Correcting Mistakes
If your certificate has wrong facts, you can ask to fix it. Public marriage amendments go through the state health department. Confidential marriage amendments go through Contra Costa County. The process depends on your license type.
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 page for details. Processing takes 9 to 11 weeks. Plan ahead if you need it soon.
Bring proof that the record is wrong. IDs, birth certificates, or other documents help show the right 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 valid.
Contra Costa County Resources
Richmond is in Contra Costa County and all marriage services go through the county clerk. For complete details on procedures, office hours, and fees, visit the Contra Costa County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in Contra Costa County and nearby areas also use the county marriage system. Check these links: