Find Sacramento Marriage Records
Sacramento residents obtain marriage licenses and certificates through Sacramento County. As the state capital and county seat, Sacramento has the main County Clerk-Recorder office right in the city at 600 8th Street. Couples apply in person with valid identification. Public and confidential licenses are available. After the wedding, the license is recorded and copies become available for request. Public marriage records can be searched and obtained by anyone. Confidential marriage records remain private between the married couple unless a court orders release.
Sacramento Quick Facts
Sacramento County Clerk Office
The Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder office is at 600 8th Street in downtown Sacramento. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Both people must appear in person with valid photo ID to apply for a marriage license. Driver licenses, passports, or state ID cards work. You cannot apply by mail or send someone else to apply for you.
You can fill out an online application before you visit. The form stays on file for 60 days. Visit the Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder website to start your application. This saves time when you arrive. You still need to visit in person to sign and complete the process.
| Office | Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 600 8th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Phone | (916) 874-5521 |
| Website | ccr.saccounty.gov |
Parking is available downtown but may require payment. Public transit serves the area if you prefer not to drive. Bring cash, check, or card for payment. Make checks payable to Sacramento County Clerk-Recorder. Call ahead to confirm hours and requirements if you have questions.
Public and Confidential Licenses
Sacramento County offers two types of marriage licenses. A public license becomes a public record once you marry. Anyone can look up the record or request a copy. This is the standard type most couples get. A confidential license stays private. Only the two people who married can obtain copies.
Confidential licenses require that both people live together as a couple when they apply. This rule comes from California Family Code sections 500 to 511. You must sign a statement saying you meet this requirement. If you do not live together, you cannot get a confidential license.
Both license types are valid for 90 days from the date issued. You can use the license anywhere in California during that time. After 90 days, it expires and you must get a new one. There is no waiting period after you receive the license. You can marry the same day if you choose. Most couples wait a bit to plan their ceremony.
After the wedding, the person who performed the ceremony must return the signed license to the county within 10 days. This is required by California Family Code section 359. Once the county receives it, they record the marriage. Then you can request a copy of your certificate.
Who Can Marry
You must be 18 years old to marry in California without permission. California Family Code section 301 sets this rule. Minors under 18 need court approval and parental consent. This is uncommon and requires a hearing before a judge.
California has no residency requirement for marriage. You do not need to live in the state or in Sacramento to marry here. People from other states and countries can come to Sacramento to get married. The license works the same for everyone regardless of where you live.
You cannot be married to someone else when you apply. If you were married before, that marriage must be ended before you can get a new license. Tell the clerk when your previous marriage ended. They may ask for documentation like divorce papers or a death certificate.
Blood tests are not required in California. Some states require them, but California does not. You just need your identification and information about any previous marriages. That is all the county needs to issue your license.
Getting Your Certificate
Wait about two weeks after your wedding before requesting a certificate. The county needs time to enter the marriage record into their system. If you request too soon, they may not find your record yet. Call first if you need to confirm your record is ready.
You can get a copy in person at the county office. Bring your ID and fill out a request form. Pay the fee and they will provide the copy if your record is available. By mail takes longer. Send your written request with payment to the office address. Allow several weeks for processing and delivery.
Online orders can be placed through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Select California, then Sacramento County. Additional service fees apply but it may be faster than mail. Expect 2 to 3 weeks for processing. The county provides more details on their vital records page.
The fee is $19 per certificate as of January 2026. This increased by $2 due to AB 64. All California counties charge this standard amount. Sacramento County may have additional fees for expedited service. Ask about rush options when you order if you need it quickly.
For a certified copy, you must sign your request in front of a notary public. Certified copies have an official seal and are accepted for legal purposes like name changes or updating government documents. Informational copies do not require notarization but they lack the official seal. Most people need certified copies for official transactions.
Note: Only the married couple can obtain confidential marriage certificates unless ordered by a court.
State Health Department
The California Department of Public Health maintains some marriage records at the state level. They have public marriages from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. If your marriage falls outside these ranges, you must go to the county. The state does not have confidential marriage records. Those remain with the county clerk permanently.
State copies take 5 to 7 weeks to process. County copies are much faster. Most people get what they need from Sacramento County and skip the state. The state office is in Sacramento at P.O. Box 997410, CA 95899-7410. Their phone number is (916) 445-2684 for questions.
To order from the state, use form VS 113-A. Download it from the CDPH forms page. Complete it and mail with payment. Include a notarized sworn statement if you want a certified copy. Informational copies do not require notarization.
California Marriage Law
California law defines marriage as a civil contract between two people under California Family Code section 300. You must obtain a license and have a ceremony to be legally married. Consent alone does not create a marriage. The ceremony can be religious or civil, large or small. The law requires proper documentation.
Anyone authorized by California can perform your ceremony. This includes clergy, judges, and some county officials. The county clerk can appoint someone as a deputy commissioner for one day if you want a friend or family member to officiate. Ask about this program when you get your license.
California does not require blood tests or impose a waiting period. Some states have these requirements, but California does not. You can get your license and marry immediately. The state also has no residency requirement for couples getting married.
Changing Names
You can change your name when you marry in California. Family Code section 306.5 allows you to select a new middle or last name on the marriage license application. You are not required to change your name. Neither person must take the other person's name.
Write your new name on the application form. After the county records your marriage, the certificate serves as proof of the name change. Use it to update your Social Security card, driver license, passport, and other documents. No separate court order is needed if you change your name when you marry.
Both people can change their names. One can change while the other keeps their name. You can combine names or create a new one together. The law is flexible. Simply indicate your choice on the form and the county will record it accordingly.
Correcting Mistakes
If your certificate contains incorrect information, you can request an amendment. Public marriage amendments go through the state health department. Confidential marriage amendments go through Sacramento County. The process depends on which type of license you have.
Amendments within the first year are free. You only pay for the amended certificate copy. After one year, there is a $26 fee plus the certificate fee. See the state fee schedule for current pricing. Processing takes 9 to 11 weeks for amendments. Plan ahead if you need the corrected certificate soon.
You need documentation proving the record is incorrect. Bring identification, birth certificates, or other records showing the correct information. The state or county reviews your request and determines whether to approve the amendment. Not all change requests are granted. They will explain what qualifies as a valid correction.
Sacramento County Resources
Sacramento is the county seat of Sacramento County. All marriage licenses and certificates for Sacramento residents go through the county system. For complete information on procedures, fees, and office locations, visit the Sacramento County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in Sacramento County also handle marriage records through the county system. Check these links: