San Francisco Marriage Records

San Francisco marriage records are kept by the San Francisco County Clerk office. San Francisco is unique as both a city and a county in California. This consolidated city-county structure means the County Clerk handles marriage licensing and vital records for all San Francisco residents. The County Clerk office is located at City Hall where couples apply for marriage licenses and obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. As one of California's most popular cities for weddings, San Francisco processes thousands of marriage applications each year.

San Francisco County Clerk Office

The San Francisco County Clerk office is at City Hall, Room 168, 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place. Phone is (415) 554-4950. The office provides marriage services to all San Francisco residents. Visit the county website for current hours and appointment information. City Hall is a popular location for both civil ceremonies and photo opportunities after weddings.

Both parties must show up together to apply for a marriage license. California law requires joint personal appearance under Family Code section 359. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license, passport, or state ID card. Your ID must show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates.

If you were married before, you must know when that marriage ended and whether it ended by death, divorce, dissolution, or annulment. Some couples bring divorce decrees or death certificates. This is not always required but may help process your application faster. No blood test is needed in California. This requirement was dropped many years ago.

Getting a Marriage License

San Francisco charges approximately $115 for a marriage license. Fees may change based on county updates. Your license is valid for 90 days from issue date. You can use it anywhere in California. No residency requirement exists. You do not need to live in San Francisco or California to get married here.

No waiting period applies in California. You can marry the same day you get your license if you want. Many couples choose San Francisco for destination weddings because of this convenience. The city offers many wedding venues from City Hall to parks to waterfront locations.

Choose between a public marriage license and a confidential marriage license. Public licenses become public records after you marry. Anyone can request copies. You need at least one witness at your ceremony. Confidential licenses stay private under California Family Code sections 500 through 511. Only you and your spouse can get copies. No witnesses are required for confidential marriages.

Civil Ceremonies at City Hall

San Francisco County Clerk performs civil wedding ceremonies at City Hall. These ceremonies are brief legal proceedings that make your marriage official. The ceremony lasts about 15 minutes. You can bring guests to witness the occasion. City Hall provides a beautiful backdrop for wedding photos.

Civil ceremony fees are separate from the marriage license fee. The exact amount varies. Contact the County Clerk office for current ceremony pricing and to schedule your appointment. Popular times fill up quickly especially on weekends and holidays. Book well in advance if you have a specific date in mind.

After the ceremony, the officiant completes your marriage license and returns it to the County Clerk. The county registers your marriage and creates the official certificate. You can request certified copies immediately or order them later by mail or in person.

Obtaining Marriage Certificates

Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 each as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64. Order copies from the San Francisco County Clerk office. Visit in person for same-day service in many cases. Mail requests take longer. Some counties also offer online ordering.

For public marriages, anyone can order certified copies. For confidential marriages, only the two married parties can get copies unless a court orders otherwise. Bring photo ID that matches the name on the marriage record when requesting copies in person.

Use certified copies for legal purposes like name changes on driver licenses, Social Security cards, passports, bank accounts, and insurance policies. Under California Family Code section 306.5, either spouse can change their middle or last name through marriage. The marriage certificate serves as legal proof of the name change.

State Records Access

The California Department of Public Health maintains marriage records for select years. The state has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. CDPH does not keep confidential marriage records at all. State processing takes 5 to 7 weeks on average. San Francisco County provides faster service.

San Francisco residents usually use the county office for quicker results. The county processes requests within days or weeks instead of months. Use the state office only if you cannot visit the county or need records from years when the county records are not available.

Marriage Records for Visitors

Many couples visit San Francisco from other cities and states to get married. The city welcomes destination weddings. You do not need to be a California resident. Any couple can get a marriage license and marry in San Francisco. The same rules apply to visitors and residents.

Plan ahead if you are visiting from out of state or out of country. Research the requirements. Bring all necessary documents. Consider scheduling your ceremony in advance. San Francisco is a popular wedding destination so services can be busy during peak seasons.