Search San Jose Marriage Records

San Jose marriage records are kept by Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder offices. As the largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area and third largest in California, San Jose has no independent marriage license authority. All marriage services for San Jose residents are handled at the county level through Santa Clara County. The county operates the Clerk-Recorder office where couples apply for marriage licenses and obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. San Jose residents use the same county office as residents from Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and other cities throughout Santa Clara County.

Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder

The Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder office handles all marriage services for San Jose. The office is located in San Jose at 70 West Hedding Street. Phone is (408) 299-5688. Visit the county website for current hours and services. The county provides both marriage licensing and vital records services at this central location.

Both parties must appear in person together to get a marriage license. You cannot send a representative or apply by mail. This requirement appears in California Family Code section 359. Bring valid photo identification like a driver license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Your ID must display your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates.

If you were married before, know when that marriage ended and how it ended. Some couples bring their divorce decree or death certificate if the previous marriage ended recently. This is not always required but can speed processing. No blood test is required to marry in California. This old requirement was eliminated years ago.

Marriage License Application Process

Santa Clara County charges approximately $119 for a marriage license. Fees may vary slightly based on county updates. Your license is valid for 90 days from the date you receive it. You can use the license anywhere in California. No residency requirement exists. You do not need to live in Santa Clara County or even in California to get married here.

California has no waiting period for marriage. You can marry the same day you obtain your license if you choose. This makes California popular for destination weddings. Many couples from out of state come to San Jose and other Bay Area cities to marry.

Choose between a public marriage license and a confidential marriage license. Public licenses become part of the public record after you marry. Anyone can request copies. At least one witness must sign at your ceremony. Confidential licenses stay private. Only you and your spouse can get copies under California Family Code sections 500 through 511. No witnesses are required.

After the Wedding Ceremony

The person who performs your marriage ceremony must return the completed license to Santa Clara County within 10 days. This is required by state law. The county then registers your marriage and creates the official marriage certificate. You do not automatically receive a copy. You must request certified copies and pay the fee.

Certified copies cost $19 each as of January 2026. The fee increased $2 under Assembly Bill 64 which took effect at the start of this year. Contact the county Clerk-Recorder to order copies. Visit in person for potentially faster service. Mail requests take longer. Some counties offer online ordering as well.

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

State Marriage Records

The California Department of Public Health Vital Records division also keeps marriage records for certain years. The state has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. CDPH does not maintain confidential marriage records. Processing times at the state level average 5 to 7 weeks compared to faster service at counties.

San Jose residents typically use Santa Clara County for quicker results. The county processes requests much faster than the state. Counties also have more complete records. Use the state office only if you cannot access county services or need very old records.

Other Santa Clara County Cities

San Jose is the county seat and largest city in Santa Clara County. Sunnyvale is to the northwest. Santa Clara sits west of San Jose. All cities in Santa Clara County use the same Clerk-Recorder office in San Jose for marriage services. The central location makes it accessible from throughout the county.

Santa Clara County serves nearly two million residents. The San Jose office handles marriage applications from across Silicon Valley. Plan extra time if visiting during busy periods or around holidays.