Alpine County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Alpine County come from the Clerk-Recorder office in Markleeville. This is California's least populated county with about 1,100 residents. The small size means services operate differently than in larger counties. You can get a marriage license here if you want to marry in the scenic mountain areas of Alpine County. The license works anywhere in California for 90 days. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available. Call ahead to confirm services before you visit. The office handles far fewer requests than urban counties so appointments are usually not needed but checking first saves a wasted trip to this remote location.

Clerk-Recorder Office Location

The Alpine County Clerk-Recorder office sits at 99 Water Street in Markleeville. The mailing address is P.O. Box 158, Markleeville, CA 96120. The phone number is 530-694-2281. Markleeville is a small mountain town in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Getting there requires driving on mountain roads. Winter weather can make travel difficult or impossible. Check road conditions before you visit during snow season.

Alpine County has no incorporated cities. Markleeville serves as the government center. The county courthouse and most county offices are located there. The area is known for natural beauty and outdoor recreation. Many people choose Alpine County as a wedding destination for this reason. Hot springs, mountain views, and quiet settings attract couples looking for a scenic marriage location.

Services at the Clerk-Recorder office may be limited due to the small staff size. Call ahead to make sure someone is available to help you. Office hours can vary. Holiday closures and staffing needs may affect when services are available. The low population means they handle far fewer marriage licenses than urban counties. This usually means no wait times but also means less flexibility in scheduling.

Getting a Marriage License

Both parties must appear in person at the Clerk-Recorder office with valid photo identification. Acceptable ID includes a driver license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Your ID must be current and show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates. No online application system exists for Alpine County. You must do everything in person.

Public and confidential marriage licenses are both available. A public marriage license becomes part of the public record after the marriage is solemnized and the license is returned to the county. Anyone can request a certified copy of a public marriage certificate. A confidential marriage license remains private. Only the married parties can obtain copies unless a court orders otherwise.

The marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You can use it anywhere in California during that time. There is no residency requirement. You do not need to live in Alpine County or even California to get married here. The license fee follows state guidelines. Additional fees may apply for ceremony services if the county provides them. Ask about current fees when you visit or call.

No appointment is typically needed due to the low volume of requests. Still, calling ahead is smart. The office phone number is 530-694-2281. Confirm that staff will be available when you plan to visit. Ask about any documents you need to bring. If you were married before, be ready to explain how that marriage ended and when.

Note: Alpine County's remote location and small staff mean services differ from what you find in populated counties.

Marriage Certificate Copies

You can request certified copies of marriage certificates from the Alpine County Clerk-Recorder if the marriage took place in Alpine County. The office cannot provide copies for marriages that occurred in other counties. Contact the county where the license was issued for those records. The state fee for a certified copy is $19 as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64.

Public marriage certificates are available to anyone who requests them and pays the fee. Confidential marriage certificates are restricted. Only the two parties named on the certificate can obtain copies. A court order is required for anyone else to access a confidential marriage record. This privacy protection is permanent under California law.

Mail requests are common for Alpine County since many people live far away. Include a written request with the names of both parties, the date of marriage or approximate date, and your contact information. Include payment for the certificate fee. Mail your request to Alpine County Clerk-Recorder, P.O. Box 158, Markleeville, CA 96120. Processing times vary based on staff availability. Allow several weeks for mail requests to be fulfilled.

In-person requests are faster if you can visit Markleeville. Bring identification and payment. The small office size usually means quick service with no wait time. Call ahead to confirm someone will be available to help you when you arrive. The office handles vital records along with many other county duties.

State Vital Records Access

The California Department of Public Health maintains some marriage records at the state level. CDPH has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. They do not have confidential marriage records. If your Alpine County marriage falls within the years held by the state, you can request a copy from CDPH instead of the county. State processing takes longer than county service but provides an alternative if you cannot visit Markleeville.

VitalChek offers online ordering for California vital records through a contract with the state. Service fees apply for online orders. VitalChek processes the order and coordinates with the appropriate agency to fulfill your request. This option is convenient if you live out of state or cannot visit the county office. Processing times are longer than in-person county visits but faster than standard mail requests in most cases.

Alpine County Geography

Alpine County covers mountainous terrain in the Sierra Nevada. The county has no cities with populations over 100,000. Markleeville is the county seat and largest community but it remains a very small town. Most of the county consists of national forest land and wilderness areas. The county borders Nevada to the east. Winter sports and summer recreation drive the local economy.

Highway 89 and Highway 4 provide main access routes. Both highways cross mountain passes that close or require chains during winter. Check road conditions before traveling to Alpine County from November through April. The California Department of Transportation provides current road status information. Cellular service can be spotty in mountain areas. Plan accordingly if you rely on GPS navigation.

Nearby Counties

Alpine County is surrounded by other mountain and valley counties. Mono County lies to the south. Tuolumne County is to the west. Calaveras County borders to the northwest. Amador County is north of Alpine. El Dorado County lies to the northwest. The Nevada border forms the eastern boundary. Each California county maintains its own marriage records through its Clerk-Recorder or County Clerk office.

Travel between Alpine County and neighboring counties requires mountain driving. Distances that look short on a map take longer due to winding roads and elevation changes. The closest major cities are in the Central Valley or Lake Tahoe area. Plan for travel time if you need services from another county office.