Simi Valley Marriage Records Search
Marriage records for Simi Valley are handled by Ventura County because Simi Valley is in Ventura County. All marriage licenses and certificates go through the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder Office. You can apply for a license, schedule a civil ceremony, and order certified copies of marriage certificates at county office locations. Ventura County has a main office in Ventura and a satellite office in Thousand Oaks that serves Simi Valley residents. The county maintains public and confidential marriage records under California state law.
Simi Valley Quick Facts
Where to Get a Marriage License
Simi Valley residents get marriage licenses from the Ventura County Clerk-Recorder Office. The main office is in Ventura, and there is a satellite office in Thousand Oaks that is closer to Simi Valley. Both people must appear together in person with valid photo ID. You can complete an online marriage license application before you visit to save time.
| Main Office | 800 South Victoria Avenue Ventura, CA 93009-1260 |
|---|---|
| Thousand Oaks Office | 2100 East Thousand Oaks Blvd, Suite A Thousand Oaks, CA 93162 |
| Phone | (805) 654-2263 |
| Website | clerkrecorder.venturacounty.gov |
The Thousand Oaks office is convenient for Simi Valley residents since it is nearby. Both offices provide marriage license services. Your license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance and can be used anywhere in California. There is no waiting period. You can use the license immediately after you get it.
Marriage License Requirements
Both people must be at least 18 years old. No blood test is required. There is no residency requirement. You do not need to live in California or Ventura 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 proof like a divorce decree or death certificate. If a previous marriage ended within 90 days, a certified copy of the dissolution paperwork from Superior Court may be required.
Ventura County offers an online marriage license application. Complete the form at home and it will be kept on file for 40 business days. After you submit it, both of you must appear in person at either the Ventura main office or the Thousand Oaks location. Bring your confirmation number and IDs when you visit. The person who performs your ceremony must return the original license to the Ventura County office within 10 days.
Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses
California has 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. 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 sign the license. There is no age requirement for witnesses in California, but they must be old enough to understand that they are witnessing a marriage ceremony and be able to sign their name. Both license types cost about the same and are valid for 90 days.
Marriage License and Certificate Fees
Ventura County charges fees for marriage licenses, ceremonies, and certificates. The exact fees depend on the type of license and services you need. As of current rates, the Declaration of Marriage license costs $108. There is no waiting period, so the license may be used upon issuance.
Marriage certificate copies cost $19 per certificate as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64, which took effect on January 1, 2026. Check with the Ventura County office for current license fees and ceremony costs. Fees can change from time to time, so it is best to verify before you visit.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
Ventura County offers civil ceremonies at both the Ventura main office and the Thousand Oaks location. You need an appointment. Contact the office at (805) 654-2263 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 meet state requirements.
After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the license and return it to the Ventura 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.
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. You can get copies from the Ventura 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 if the county participates, but VitalChek charges additional 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, 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.
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 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 Simi Valley marriages, that is the Ventura 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.
Forms and Online Applications
You can find forms and information on the Ventura County website at clerkrecorder.venturacounty.gov. The online marriage license application is available and can save time when you visit the office. Keep your confirmation number after you submit the form.
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.
Ventura County Marriage Records
Simi Valley is part of Ventura County. The county clerk-recorder office handles all marriage licenses and certificates for the entire county. For more details about Ventura County marriage services, office locations, fees, and resources, visit the Ventura County marriage records page.
Other Ventura County Cities
Other cities in Ventura County also use the same county office system for marriage licenses and certificates. These cities include Thousand Oaks and San Buenaventura (Ventura). All Ventura County residents go through the same county offices.
Nearby cities with marriage record information: