Temecula Marriage Records Search

Marriage records for Temecula are kept by Riverside County because Temecula is in Riverside County. All marriage licenses and certificates go through the Riverside County Assessor-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. Riverside County has multiple offices including locations in Riverside, Hemet, Murrieta, and Palm Desert. The county maintains both public and confidential marriage records under California state law.

Where Temecula Residents Get Licenses

Temecula residents get marriage licenses from the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder Office. The main office is at 2720 Gateway Drive in Riverside, but the county also has an office in nearby Murrieta. Both people must appear together in person with valid photo ID. The office serves all Riverside County residents and anyone who wants to marry in California.

Riverside County has multiple office locations including Hemet, Murrieta, Palm Desert, and Riverside. The Murrieta office is close to Temecula and may be more convenient for local residents. Check the county website for office locations, hours, and services at each site. All offices provide marriage license services.

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. The clerk may ask for proof like a divorce decree or death certificate.

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 Riverside County to get a license. 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 in California. 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 Riverside County office within 10 days. Once the county receives and records the license, your marriage is official.

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 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 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 in Riverside County, 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. The witness can be any age as long as they understand what they are witnessing and can sign their name. Both license types are valid for 90 days and can be used anywhere in California. Check the Riverside County website for current fees.

Civil Marriage Ceremonies

Riverside County offers civil ceremonies at county office locations. Contact the office at (951) 486-7000 to ask about ceremony options, fees, and scheduling. You need an appointment. The ceremony is short and simple. Fees vary depending on the location and services 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 Riverside County office within 10 days. Most officiants mail the signed license back to the county. Once the county receives and records the license, your marriage is official. You can then order certified copies of your marriage certificate from any Riverside County office.

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 increased by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64, which took effect on January 1, 2026.

You can get copies from the Riverside 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 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 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 Temecula marriages, that is the Riverside 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.

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 Riverside 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.

Forms and Resources

You can find more information on the Riverside County website at www.asrclkrec.com. The county clerk services page has details about marriage licenses. The vital records page covers marriage certificates and ordering copies.

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.

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 Riverside County office.

Riverside County Marriage Records

Temecula is part of Riverside County. The county assessor-county clerk-recorder office handles all marriage licenses and certificates for the entire county. For more details about Riverside County marriage services, office locations, fees, and additional resources, visit the Riverside County marriage records page.

View Riverside County Marriage Records

Other Riverside County Cities

Other cities in Riverside County also use the same county office system for marriage licenses and certificates. These cities include Riverside, Corona, and Murrieta. All Riverside County residents go through the same county offices.

Nearby cities with marriage record information:

• Riverside
• Corona
• Murrieta