Find Stockton Marriage Records
Marriage records for Stockton are maintained by San Joaquin County. Stockton is the county seat of San Joaquin County, and the San Joaquin County Clerk-Recorder Office is located here. All marriage licenses and certificates for Stockton residents go through this office. You can apply for a license, have a civil ceremony, and order certified copies of marriage certificates at the Stockton office. The county maintains public and confidential marriage records. Public records become available to authorized people after registration, and confidential records stay private between the two people who married.
Stockton Quick Facts
Where Stockton Residents Get Licenses
Stockton residents get marriage licenses at the San Joaquin County Clerk-Recorder Office right here in Stockton. The office is at 44 North San Joaquin Street, Suite 260. Both people must appear in person together with valid photo ID. The office serves all San Joaquin County residents and anyone who wants to marry in California.
| Office | San Joaquin County Clerk-Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | 44 North San Joaquin Street, Suite 260 Stockton, CA 95202 |
| Phone | (209) 468-3939 |
| Website | www.sjgov.org/department/clerk |
Bring valid photo ID for both people. This can be a driver license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. The ID must show your 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.
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. The person who performs your ceremony must return the signed license to the San Joaquin County office within 10 days.
Public Health Services Vital Records
San Joaquin County also has a Public Health Services Vital Records office at 1601 E. Hazelton Ave in Stockton. This office handles vital records including birth and death certificates. For marriage records, the Public Health Services office only has access to records for the current year and the past year. Older marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder Office at 44 North San Joaquin Street.
If you need a marriage certificate from more than a year ago, go to the County Clerk-Recorder Office. If your marriage happened recently, you may be able to get a copy from either office. Call ahead to confirm which office has your record. The Public Health Services office phone is (209) 468-3401.
Marriage License Requirements
Both people must be at least 18 years old to marry in California. No blood test is required. There is no residency requirement. You do not need to live in California or San Joaquin County to get a license. If you were married before, the clerk may ask for a copy of your 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.
Note: Effective January 1, 2026, California Department of Public Health increased vital records fees for certified copies by $2 per certificate pursuant to Assembly Bill 64.
Public and Confidential Licenses
California offers 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. 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 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. Both license types are valid for 90 days and can be used anywhere in California.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
San Joaquin County offers civil ceremonies at the clerk office in Stockton. Contact the office at (209) 468-3939 to ask about ceremony options and fees. You need an appointment. The ceremony is short and simple.
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 San Joaquin 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.
You can get copies from the San Joaquin County Clerk-Recorder Office in Stockton 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 if the county participates, but VitalChek charges extra service fees.
Only authorized persons can get certified copies of public marriage records. 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.
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.
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 Stockton marriages, that is the San Joaquin 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.
Forms and Resources
You can find more information on the San Joaquin County website at www.sjgov.org/department/clerk. Call the office at (209) 468-3939 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.
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.
San Joaquin County Marriage Records
Stockton is the county seat of San Joaquin County. The San Joaquin County Clerk-Recorder Office in Stockton handles all marriage licenses and certificates for the entire county. For more details about San Joaquin County marriage services, fees, and additional resources, visit the San Joaquin County marriage records page.