San Buenaventura Marriage Records
San Buenaventura marriage records are handled through Ventura County. The city, also known as Ventura, is the county seat and has the main County Clerk-Recorder office at 800 South Victoria Avenue. Couples apply for marriage licenses in person with valid identification. The county manages all marriage licenses and records for the city and surrounding communities. After the ceremony, the signed license goes back to the county for recording. Public marriage records are accessible to anyone. Confidential marriage records remain private between the married couple.
San Buenaventura Quick Facts
Ventura County Clerk Office
The Ventura County Clerk-Recorder main office is at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura. There is also an office in Thousand Oaks at 2100 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Both locations handle marriage licenses. Choose the one that is more convenient for you. Both people must appear in person with photo ID. Driver licenses and passports work well.
You can start your application online before you visit. Go to the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder website and fill out the form. The online application stays on file for 40 business days. After you complete it, both people visit the office with your reference number. This speeds up the process when you arrive.
| Office | Ventura County Clerk-Recorder |
|---|---|
| Main Address | 800 South Victoria Avenue Ventura, CA 93009-1260 |
| Thousand Oaks | 2100 East Thousand Oaks Blvd, Suite A Thousand Oaks, CA 93162 |
| Phone | (805) 654-2263 |
| Website | clerkrecorder.venturacounty.gov |
Call (805) 654-2263 before you visit to confirm hours and what to bring. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Make checks payable to Ventura County Clerk-Recorder. Parking is available at both locations.
Public and Confidential Licenses
Ventura County offers several types of marriage licenses. A public marriage license costs $108 and becomes a public record once you marry. Anyone can look it up or request a copy. A confidential marriage license costs $122 and stays private. Only the married couple can get copies of a confidential marriage record.
Confidential licenses require you to live together as a couple when you apply. This 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.
The county also offers specialized licenses for denominations without clergy and for declaring an existing marriage. All licenses are valid for 90 days from when you get them. You can use them anywhere in California. After 90 days, they expire. There is no waiting period. The license may be used right away upon issuance.
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 gets it back, 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 age requirement. Minors under 18 need court permission and parental consent. This is uncommon and requires a judge to approve it.
California has no residency requirement for marriage. You do not need to live in the state or in Ventura to marry here. People from other states and countries can come to San Buenaventura 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 previous marriage ended. They may ask for proof 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 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 either Ventura County office. Bring your ID and fill out a request form. Pay the fee and they give you the copy if your record is available. By mail takes longer. Send your request with payment to the office address. Allow a few weeks for processing and delivery.
Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Choose California, then Ventura County. You pay extra service fees but it may be faster than mail. Expect 2 to 3 weeks for processing even with online orders.
The fee is $19 per certificate as of January 2026. This went up by $2 due to AB 64. All California counties charge this standard amount for certificates. Ventura County may add fees for expedited service. Ask about extra charges when you order if you need it quickly.
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 like name changes. Informational copies do not need a notary. They show the facts but do not have the seal. Most people need certified copies for official uses.
Note: Only the married couple can get confidential marriage certificates unless a court orders it.
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 falls 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 Ventura 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 saying 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. These rules make California an easy place to get married.
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 Ventura 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.
Ventura County Resources
San Buenaventura is the county seat of Ventura County. All marriage licenses and certificates for San Buenaventura residents go through the county system. For more details on procedures, fees, and office locations, visit the Ventura County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in Ventura County also handle marriage records through the county system. Check these links: