Access San Diego Marriage Records
San Diego marriage records are managed by San Diego County. As California's second largest city and the county seat, San Diego has the main Recorder-County Clerk office at 1600 Pacific Highway. There is also a Kearny Mesa office for additional access. Couples must apply for marriage licenses in person with appointments required. The county processes all licenses and maintains marriage records for the entire region. After the wedding, records are recorded and copies become available. Public marriage certificates are open to anyone while confidential marriage records stay private between the married couple.
San Diego Quick Facts
San Diego County Clerk Office
The San Diego County Recorder-County Clerk main office is at 1600 Pacific Highway in Suite 260. There is also a Kearny Mesa location at 9225 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard. Appointments are required for marriage licenses. You can book up to 7 weeks ahead and new slots are added daily. Both people must appear together with valid photo ID.
You can start your application online before your appointment. Visit the San Diego County Recorder-County Clerk website and fill out the form. This saves time when you arrive for your appointment. You still must visit in person to complete and sign everything.
| Office | San Diego County Recorder-County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Main Office | 1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260 San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Kearny Mesa | 9225 Clairemont Mesa Blvd San Diego, CA 92123 |
| Phone | (619) 237-0502 |
| Website | sdarcc.gov |
Call (619) 237-0502 to ask questions before you visit. The office accepts credit and debit cards with an additional $2.50 surcharge for in-person payments. Checks and money orders work too. Do not send cash. Make checks payable to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk.
Public and Confidential Licenses
San Diego 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 most couples get. A confidential license stays private. Only the two people who married can request copies. No one else has access to confidential marriage 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 requirement. 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 if you want. Most people wait a bit to plan their ceremony.
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 age requirement. Minors under 18 need court approval and parental consent. This is rare and requires a judge to approve it in a hearing.
California has no residency requirement for marriage. You do not need to live in the state or in San Diego to marry here. People from other states and countries can come to San Diego 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 at least 10 business days after your wedding before you request a certificate. The county needs time to receive the license back from your officiant and enter the data into the system. If you try too soon, they will not find your record yet. Call first if you are in a hurry to see if your record is ready.
You can get a copy in person at the main office. You must sign your application in front of a County Clerk staff member and bring valid photo ID. The Kearny Mesa office does not handle in-person marriage certificate requests. Only the main Pacific Highway location offers this service.
By mail, send your request with payment to P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750. Use checks or money orders only. Do not send cash. Make your check payable to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk. Allow a few weeks for processing and delivery.
Online orders go through VitalChek at vitalchek.com. Select California, then San Diego County Recorder. Choose Authorized Copy for certified certificates. You pay extra service fees but it may be faster than mail. Expect processing time of a few weeks.
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. San Diego County adds a $2.50 surcharge for credit or debit card payments in person. If no record is found, you will receive a Letter of No Record and the fee is retained as a search fee.
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 permanently.
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 Diego 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 under the law.
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 Diego 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 Diego County Resources
San Diego is the county seat of San Diego County. All marriage licenses and certificates for San Diego residents go through the county system. For more details on procedures, office locations, and fees, visit the San Diego County marriage records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in San Diego County also handle marriage records through the county system. Check these links: