Find San Bernardino Marriage Records

San Bernardino marriage records are handled by San Bernardino County. As the county seat, San Bernardino has the main County Clerk-Recorder office at 222 West Hospitality Lane. Couples apply for marriage licenses in person with valid photo identification. The county processes all marriage licenses and maintains records for the city and surrounding areas. After the wedding, the signed license is recorded and copies become available. Public marriage records can be accessed by anyone, while confidential marriage records stay private between the married couple.

County Clerk Office

The San Bernardino County Clerk-Recorder office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane on the first floor. Both people must appear in person with photo ID to apply. Driver licenses and passports work well. If you were married before, know when it ended. Some offices ask for proof like divorce papers. Call (909) 387-8306 ahead of time to confirm what you need.

You can start your application online before you visit. Go to the county marriage license page and fill out the form. This gives you a reference number. Bring that number when you come in. It speeds up the process when you arrive. You still must visit in person to complete everything.

Appointments are strongly encouraged. You can book one online or by phone. Walk-ins are okay but you may wait longer. The county gives priority to people with appointments. Pick a time that works and show up on time. Bring payment in cash, check, or card. Make checks payable to San Bernardino County Clerk-Recorder.

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 standard type. A confidential license stays private. Only the two people who married can request copies. No one else has access to confidential records.

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.

Both types of licenses are valid for 90 days from when 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. You can marry the same day you get the license. Most people wait a bit to plan the ceremony, but you do not have to.

After your wedding, the officiant has 10 days to return the signed license to the county. This is required by California Family Code section 359. Once the county receives it, they record your marriage. Then you can order a certificate.

Who Can Marry

You must be 18 years old to marry in California. California Family Code section 301 sets this rule. Minors under 18 need court approval and parental consent. This is not common 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 San Bernardino to marry here. People from other states and countries can come here to get married. The license works the same for everyone no matter where you live.

You cannot be married to someone 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 for proof 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

Wait about two weeks after your wedding before you request a certificate. The county needs time to enter the data. If you try too soon, they may not find your record yet. Call first if you are in a hurry to see if your record is ready. This saves you a trip if it is not in the system.

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 give you the copy if your record is in the system. 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, then San Bernardino County. You pay extra fees for the service but it may be faster than mail. Expect 3 to 4 weeks for processing. The county has more details on their vital records page.

The fee is $19 per certificate as of January 2026. This went up by $2 due to AB 64. All California counties charge this amount. San Bernardino County may add fees for rush service or same-day copies. Ask about extra charges 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 uses like name changes or updating government documents. Informational copies do not need a notary. They show the facts but do not have the seal. Most people need certified copies for official purposes.

Note: Only the married couple can get confidential marriage certificates 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 to process. 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 at P.O. Box 997410, CA 95899-7410. Their phone is (916) 445-2684 if you need to call them.

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. Include a notarized sworn statement if you want a certified copy. Informational copies do not need the notary part.

Marriage Law in California

California law defines marriage as a civil 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 agreeing you are married does not count.

Anyone authorized by the state can perform your ceremony. 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 marry you. Ask about this program when you get your license.

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.

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 their names. One can change and the other can keep their name. 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 information, 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 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.

San Bernardino County Resources

San Bernardino is the county seat of San Bernardino County. All marriage licenses and certificates for San Bernardino residents go through the county system. For more details on procedures, office locations, and fees, visit the San Bernardino County marriage records page.

View San Bernardino County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

Other cities in San Bernardino County also handle marriage records through the county system. Check these links:

• Fontana
• Rancho Cucamonga
• Ontario
• Rialto