Find Santa Monica Marriage Records
Marriage records for Santa Monica are kept by Los Angeles County. Santa Monica is in Los Angeles County, so all marriage licenses and certificates go through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Office. You can apply for a marriage license, schedule a civil ceremony, and order certified copies of marriage certificates at any county office location. Los Angeles County maintains public and confidential marriage records according to California state law. Public records are open to authorized people once registered. Confidential records stay private and can only be accessed by the two people who married or by court order.
Santa Monica Quick Facts
Where to Get Marriage Licenses
Santa Monica residents get marriage licenses from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Office. The main office is in Norwalk, but Los Angeles County has multiple locations. Both people must appear together in person with valid photo ID. You must complete an online application before you visit any office.
Los Angeles County requires an appointment for marriage licenses. Schedule your appointment online through the county website. After you submit the online application, you select a date and time. Both of you must show up at the scheduled time with your IDs and any required documents.
| Office | Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Main Office | 12400 Imperial Highway Norwalk, CA 90650 |
| Phone | (800) 201-8999 |
| Website | www.lavote.gov |
The county has several office locations throughout Los Angeles County. Check the county website for the office closest to Santa Monica. All offices provide the same services for marriage licenses and certificates. Your license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance and can be used anywhere in California.
Marriage License Requirements
Both people must be at least 18 years old. Blood tests are not required. There is no residency requirement. You do not need to live in California or Los Angeles County to get a license. Bring valid photo ID for both people. This can be a driver license, state ID card, passport, or military ID.
The ID must have a photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates. If you were married before, you need to know the date your last marriage ended and how it ended. Some offices may ask for a copy of your divorce decree or death certificate. Complete the online marriage license application before your appointment. Keep your confirmation number and bring it when you visit the office.
There is no waiting period in California. You can use your license the same day you get it. The person who performs your ceremony must return the original license to the Los Angeles County office within 10 days. Once the county records the license, your marriage is official. You can then request certified copies of your marriage certificate.
Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses
California offers two types of marriage licenses. A public marriage license becomes a public record once the county recorder registers it. Anyone who qualifies under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 can get a certified copy. 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.
Public marriage licenses require at least one witness at the ceremony. You can have up to two witnesses sign the license. Confidential marriage licenses do not require witnesses. Both license types cost about the same and are valid for 90 days. The main difference is privacy. Check the Los Angeles County fee schedule for current costs.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
Los Angeles County offers civil ceremonies at several office locations. You need an appointment. Ceremony fees vary depending on the day and time you choose. Weekday ceremonies cost less than weekend ceremonies. The county website has details about ceremony options and fees.
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 meet state requirements.
After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the license and return it to the Los Angeles County office within 10 days. Most officiants mail the signed license back. Once the county receives and records the license, your marriage is complete. You can then order certified copies of your marriage certificate.
Note: Only one officiant may sign the marriage license as the person who solemnized the marriage.
How to Get 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 went up by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64, which took effect on January 1, 2026.
You can get copies from the Los Angeles County office if your license was issued there. Visit an 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 additional service fees on top of the county fee.
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, 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 also maintains marriage records, but their 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 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 Monica marriages, that is the Los Angeles County office. Even if the state has your record, the county is usually faster. The state takes 5 to 7 weeks for mail requests. The county can often provide same-day service if you visit in person.
California Department of Public Health also has useful information about marriage requirements. Visit www.cdph.ca.gov to learn about state laws, processing times, and general rules for marriage in California. The state site explains the difference between public and confidential marriages.
Forms and Online Applications
You can find all forms and applications on the Los Angeles County website at www.lavote.gov. The online marriage license application is required before you visit any office. The FAQs page answers common questions about licenses, ceremonies, and certificates.
If you need to amend your marriage record, California Department of Public Health handles amendments for public marriage records. Download form VS 24 C from the state forms page. Confidential marriage amendments go through the county clerk office where you got the license.
California law lets you change your middle or last name when you marry under California Family Code Section 306.5. Enter the new name 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 it to update your driver license, Social Security card, and other documents. Both spouses do not need to have the same last name. You are not required to change your name at all.
Los Angeles County Marriage Records
Santa Monica is part of Los Angeles County. The county registrar-recorder/county clerk office handles all marriage licenses and certificates for the entire county. For more details about Los Angeles County marriage services, office locations, fees, and resources, visit the Los Angeles County marriage records page.
Other Nearby Cities
Other large cities in Los Angeles County also use the same county office system for marriage licenses and certificates. These cities include Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance, and many others. All Los Angeles County residents go through the same county offices regardless of which city they live in.
Nearby cities with marriage record information: