San Leandro Marriage Records

San Leandro marriage records are maintained by Alameda County offices. Cities in California do not issue marriage licenses independently. All marriage licensing and vital records services for San Leandro residents are handled at the county level. Alameda County operates the County Clerk-Recorder office at 1106 Madison Street in Oakland where couples apply for marriage licenses and obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. San Leandro residents use this office along with other Alameda County residents for all marriage-related services and document requests. The office also has a satellite location in Dublin for limited services by appointment.

Alameda County Clerk-Recorder

The Alameda County Clerk-Recorder handles all marriage services. The main office is at 1106 Madison Street, First Floor, Oakland. Phone is (510) 272-6362. Toll-free is (888) 280-7708. Visit the county website for hours. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Recording services are available until 4:30 PM.

Both parties must appear together in person to apply for a marriage license under California Family Code section 359. Bring valid photo identification when you visit. An online application is available. You must complete the in-person process within 30 days of submitting the online application. Alameda County also offers virtual marriage services via video conference. Both parties must be physically in California to use this option.

Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can use it anywhere in California. No residency requirement exists. You do not need to live in Alameda County or California to get married here. No waiting period applies under California law. You can marry the same day you receive your license.

Marriage License Types

California offers two types of marriage licenses. Public marriage licenses become part of the public record. Anyone can request copies after your marriage is registered. Public licenses require at least one witness to sign at the ceremony.

Confidential marriage licenses stay private under California Family Code sections 500 through 511. Only the married parties can obtain copies unless a court orders otherwise. No witnesses are required for confidential marriages. Both types have the same legal effect. The choice affects privacy only.

Alameda County offers in-person ceremonies at the Oakland location by appointment only. The county can accommodate up to 25 guests in the building for ceremonies. Express marriage ceremony options are available. Alameda County also has a Volunteer Deputy Marriage Commissioner program and a One-Time Deputy Commissioner program for those who want a friend or family member to officiate.

Obtaining Marriage Certificates

Alameda County can only issue copies of marriage certificates if the marriage license was purchased and recorded in Alameda County. After your wedding, the officiant returns the completed license to the county within 10 days. The county registers your marriage and creates the certificate. You must request certified copies separately.

Certified copies cost approximately $19 each as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64 which took effect at the start of 2026. Mail orders are processed in approximately 2 to 3 weeks from receipt. Delivery takes up to 7 additional days. Written applications must be notarized for authorized or unrestricted copies. International requests must be notarized at a US Embassy.

For confidential marriage certificates, only the married parties can obtain copies or by court order. The Oakland office is near Lake Merritt BART station. Limited metered street parking is available. Arrive early to avoid the busiest hours between noon and 2:00 PM. Same-day marriage license and ceremony is possible according to user reviews.

State Records

The California Department of Public Health keeps marriage records for select years. The state has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to the present. CDPH does not maintain confidential marriage records at all. State processing takes 5 to 7 weeks. Alameda County provides much faster service.

San Leandro residents typically use the county office for quicker results. The county processes requests within days or weeks instead of months.

Nearby Cities

San Leandro is in western Alameda County along the bay. Oakland is north. Hayward sits to the south. Fremont is further south. All use the same Alameda County Clerk-Recorder office for marriage services.