Access Santa Maria Marriage Records
Santa Maria marriage records are handled by Santa Barbara County. Santa Maria is in Santa Barbara County, so all marriage licenses and certificates go through the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder Office in Santa Barbara. You can apply for a license, schedule a civil ceremony, and order certified copies of marriage certificates at the county office. The county maintains both public and confidential marriage records under California state law. Public records become available to authorized people after the marriage is registered. Confidential records stay private and can only be seen by the two people who married or by court order.
Santa Maria Quick Facts
Where Santa Maria Residents Get Licenses
Santa Maria residents go to the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder Office to get marriage licenses. The main office is at 1100 Anacapa Street in Santa Barbara. Both people must appear in person together with valid photo ID. The office handles all marriage licenses for Santa Barbara County, including those for Santa Maria residents.
| Office | Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 1100 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 |
| Phone | (805) 568-2550 |
| Website | www.countyofsb.org |
The county office is in downtown Santa Barbara. If you live in Santa Maria, you need to travel to Santa Barbara to get your license. Both of you must go together. Bring valid photo ID like a driver license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. The ID must show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates.
Your license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can use the license anywhere in California during that time. There is no waiting period. You can marry the same day you get your license or wait up to 90 days. The person who performs your ceremony must return the signed license to the Santa Barbara County office within 10 days.
Marriage License Requirements
Both people must be at least 18 years old to marry in California. If you are younger than 18, you need court approval and written consent from at least one parent or guardian. This is uncommon and requires extra steps. Most people who marry are 18 or older.
No blood test is required. There is no residency requirement. You do not need to live in California or Santa Barbara County to get a license at the Santa Barbara County office. Anyone can marry in California as long as they meet the age and legal requirements. If you were married before, you need to know the date your last marriage ended and how it ended. Some offices may ask for proof like a divorce decree or death certificate.
California law says that consent alone does not make a marriage. You must get a license and have a ceremony. The license is issued by the county clerk. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the license to the county recorder. The county recorder then registers the license, and it becomes a marriage certificate. This process makes your marriage legal and official.
Public and Confidential Licenses
California has two types of marriage licenses. A public marriage license becomes a public record. Anyone who qualifies under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 can get a certified copy of a public marriage certificate. This includes the married couple, their parents, children, grandparents, siblings, spouses, attorneys, and law enforcement.
A confidential marriage license keeps your marriage private. Only the two people who married can get copies of a confidential marriage certificate unless a court orders release. To get a confidential license, both people must be at least 18 years old and living together as spouses when they apply. You must sign an affidavit stating that you live together. No witnesses are required for a confidential marriage ceremony.
Public marriage licenses require at least one witness at the ceremony. You can have up to two witnesses. The witness can be any age as long as they understand what they are witnessing and can sign their name. Confidential marriage licenses do not require witnesses. Both license types are valid for 90 days and can be used anywhere in California.
Note: Confidential marriage records are amended through the county clerk office where the license was issued, not through the state.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
Santa Barbara County offers civil ceremonies at the clerk office. You need an appointment. Contact the office at (805) 568-2550 to schedule a ceremony. The ceremony is short and simple. Fees vary depending on the day and time you choose.
You are not required to have a ceremony at the county office. You can take your license to any authorized person in California. This includes priests, ministers, rabbis, judges, court commissioners, and others listed in California Family Code Section 400. Out-of-state clergy can perform California marriages if they are authorized under California law.
After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the license and return it to the Santa Barbara County office within 10 days. Most officiants mail the signed license back. Once the county receives and records the license, your marriage is official. You can then order certified copies of your marriage certificate.
Requesting Marriage Certificate Copies
You do not automatically get a copy of your marriage certificate. You must request and pay for certified copies. The fee is $19 per certificate as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64, which took effect on January 1, 2026.
You can get copies from the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder Office if your license was issued there. Visit the office in person or send a request by mail. For in-person requests, bring valid photo ID and know the names of both spouses and the marriage date. You can also order online through VitalChek, but VitalChek charges extra service fees.
Only authorized persons can get certified copies of public marriage records. California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 lists who qualifies. If you do not qualify as an authorized person, you can get an informational copy. An informational copy says "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." It cannot be used for legal purposes like changing your name on a driver license or passport.
Confidential marriage certificates are only available to the two people who married. You must prove your identity with valid photo ID. The county will not release confidential records to anyone else unless a court orders it.
State Office vs County Office
California Department of Public Health Vital Records in Sacramento maintains some marriage records, but the collection has gaps. The state office has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. Records from 2002 to 2009 and before 1905 are not available from the state. If your marriage date falls in those years, you must use the county office.
The state office does not keep confidential marriage records. All confidential marriage certificates must come from the county clerk where the license was issued. For Santa Maria marriages, that is the Santa Barbara County office. Even if the state has your record, the county is usually faster. The state takes 5 to 7 weeks to process mail requests. The county can often provide copies more quickly, especially if you visit in person.
Amendments to public marriage certificates are processed by California Department of Public Health. You can download form VS 24 C from the state forms page. Confidential marriage amendments go through the Santa Barbara County office where you got your license.
Name Changes Through Marriage
California lets you change your middle or last name when you marry. This is covered under California Family Code Section 306.5. You are not required to change your name. Both spouses do not need to have the same last name. If you want a new name, enter it on your marriage license application.
A certified copy of your marriage certificate with the new name is legal proof of the name change. You can use this certificate to update your driver license, Social Security card, passport, and other documents. You do not need to go to court or file separate paperwork to change your name through marriage.
If you want to change your name later, you may need to amend your marriage record. Public marriage amendments go through California Department of Public Health. Confidential marriage amendments go through the Santa Barbara County office where you got your license. There are fees for amendments, and the process takes time. It is easier to enter the correct name on your original application.
Additional Resources for Santa Maria Residents
You can find more information on the Santa Barbara County website at www.countyofsb.org. The vital records page has details about marriage licenses, certificates, and fees. Call the office at (805) 568-2550 if you have questions or need help with your application.
California Department of Public Health also has useful information. Visit www.cdph.ca.gov to learn about state requirements, processing times, and general rules for marriage in California. The state site explains the difference between public and confidential marriages and covers topics like who can get copies of records.
Santa Barbara County Marriage Records
Santa Maria is part of Santa Barbara County. The county clerk office in Santa Barbara handles all marriage licenses and certificates for the entire county. For more details about Santa Barbara County marriage services, office locations, fees, and additional resources, visit the Santa Barbara County marriage records page.