Access Torrance Marriage Records

Torrance marriage records are maintained by Los Angeles County offices. Cities in California do not issue marriage licenses independently. All marriage licensing and vital records services for Torrance residents are handled at the county level. Los Angeles County operates the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office with seven branch locations throughout the county. Torrance residents can visit any of these branches to apply for marriage licenses or obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. The main office in Norwalk is the most accessible from Torrance. All branches provide identical services regardless of location.

Los Angeles County Registrar Services

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk handles all marriage services for Torrance residents. Phone is (800) 201-8999. Visit lavote.gov for current hours and branch locations. Complete an online application before your in-person visit. The application stays on file for 90 days.

Both parties must appear together in person under California Family Code section 359. Bring valid photo identification when you visit. You need a California driver license, state ID card, passport, or alien resident card. Your ID must show your photo and date of birth.

Los Angeles County charges $91 for a public marriage license. A confidential license costs $85. Your license is valid for 90 days from issue date. You can use it anywhere in California. No residency requirement exists. You do not need to live in Los Angeles County or California. No waiting period applies. You can marry the same day.

Marriage License Types

California offers two types of marriage licenses. Public marriage licenses become part of the public record. Anyone can request copies after your marriage is registered. Public licenses require at least one witness to sign at the ceremony. Los Angeles County can provide a witness for $20 if you need one.

Confidential marriage licenses stay private under California Family Code sections 500 through 511. Only the married parties can obtain copies unless a court orders otherwise. No witnesses are required for confidential marriages. Both types have the same legal effect. The choice affects privacy only.

Confidential marriages became available in 1971. Many couples choose this option for privacy reasons. Your marriage record will not appear in public searches. Employers and family cannot request copies. Only you and your spouse have access. This protection lasts forever under California law.

Express Marriage Ceremonies

Los Angeles County offers express marriage ceremonies at all seven branch locations. You can get your license and marry in the same appointment. The county schedules 45 minutes for the application plus ceremony. A civil ceremony costs $25. This is separate from the license fee.

Call ahead to schedule your express ceremony appointment. Popular times fill up fast. Weekends and holidays book weeks ahead. Plan in advance if you want a specific date. You can bring guests to witness. The ceremony is brief but legally binding.

For same-day service without an appointment, arrive early. The Norwalk office serves walk-ins until 3:00 PM. District offices serve until 3:30 PM. Applications after these times get processed the next business day. Processing takes about one hour.

Getting Marriage Certificates

After your wedding, the officiant returns the license to Los Angeles County within 10 days. This is required under California law. The county registers your marriage and creates the certificate. You must request certified copies separately. They are not provided automatically.

Certified copies cost $19 each as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64. Los Angeles County residents impacted by fires can request vital records at no cost to support recovery efforts. Contact the county to see if you qualify.

Order copies from any branch office. Visit in person for faster service. Mail requests take longer. Only the Norwalk office has marriage records available for viewing in person. Other branches can process orders but cannot provide viewing access.

State Records

The California Department of Public Health keeps marriage records for select years. The state has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. CDPH does not maintain confidential marriage records.

State processing takes 5 to 7 weeks. Los Angeles County is much faster. Torrance residents typically use the county office for quicker results. The county processes requests in days or weeks instead of months.

Nearby Cities

Torrance is in southwestern Los Angeles County. Long Beach sits to the southeast. Inglewood is north. Los Angeles borders to the north. All use the same Los Angeles County office system for marriage services.