Search Whittier Marriage Records

Whittier 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 Whittier residents are handled at the county level. Los Angeles County operates the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office with seven branch locations throughout the county where couples apply for marriage licenses and obtain certified copies of marriage certificates. Whittier residents can visit any branch office. The main office in Norwalk is very close to Whittier. All branches provide the same marriage services regardless of which location you choose to visit.

Los Angeles County Marriage Services

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk handles all marriage services for Whittier residents. The Norwalk office at 12400 Imperial Highway is very close to Whittier. Phone is (800) 201-8999. Visit lavote.gov for current hours. 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, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates.

Los Angeles County charges $91 for a public marriage license. A confidential license costs $85. Your license is valid for 90 days from the date you complete your in-person visit. 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 you obtain your license.

License Options

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 a $20 fee 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 have been available in California since 1971. Many couples choose this option for privacy reasons. Your marriage record will not appear in public searches. Employers and family members cannot request copies. Only you and your spouse have access. This privacy protection lasts forever under California law.

Express Wedding 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 license application plus the express 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 quickly. Weekends and holidays book especially fast. Plan several weeks in advance if you want a specific date. You can bring guests to witness the occasion. 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 submitted after these times get processed the next business day. Processing at the window takes about one hour during regular hours.

Getting Marriage Certificates

After your wedding, the officiant returns the completed 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 directly impacted by fires can request vital records at no cost to support recovery efforts. Contact the county to see if you qualify for this waiver.

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. The other branches can process orders but cannot provide access to view the records themselves.

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 the present. CDPH does not maintain confidential marriage records at all. State processing takes 5 to 7 weeks. Los Angeles County provides much faster service.

Whittier residents typically use the county office for quicker results. The county processes requests within days or weeks instead of months. Use the state office only if you cannot visit the county or need records from years when county records are not easily accessible.

Nearby Cities

Whittier is in southeastern Los Angeles County. Norwalk sits to the southwest. Downey is to the west. Long Beach is south. All cities in Los Angeles County use the same Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office system for marriage services.