Butte County Marriage Records Search

Butte County marriage records are maintained by the Clerk-Recorder office in Oroville. You can apply for a marriage license online to start the process then visit the office to complete it. Both parties must appear together with valid photo ID. Public and confidential marriage licenses are both available. The license works anywhere in California for 90 days. Civil ceremonies can be arranged at the county office. A Deputy Commissioner for a Day program lets someone special officiate your wedding. You can request certified copies of marriage certificates for marriages that occurred in Butte County. Public records are available to anyone while confidential certificates are restricted to the married parties or court orders. The office serves both county residents and people who want to marry in the scenic northern California area.

Butte County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Butte County Clerk-Recorder office is at 155 Nelson Avenue in Oroville. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The phone number is 530-538-7691. Oroville is the county seat where all marriage licenses are issued for Butte County. Marriage certificate copies for Butte County marriages are also obtained here.

Butte County sits in northern California between the Sacramento Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills. The county has a population around 225,000. Oroville is the largest city and government center. Highway 70 and Highway 99 provide main access routes through the area. The county office handles marriage licenses, vital records, and property recording services.

Parking is available near the county office building. The office gets busy during peak times like Valentine's Day and summer months. Arrive early if you visit during popular wedding seasons. Morning hours typically have shorter wait times. The staff processes marriage licenses, answers questions about requirements, and provides certified copies of vital records.

Applying for a Marriage License

An online application is available through the Butte County marriage page. You can fill out the form online to save time. Both parties must still appear in person together to complete the process and pick up the license. The online application does not eliminate the in-person visit. It just speeds things up when you arrive at the office.

Bring valid photo identification when you visit. A driver license, passport, state ID card, or military ID works. Your ID must be current and show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates. Both parties need their own ID. Photocopies are not accepted. You must bring the original document.

Public and confidential marriage licenses are both offered in Butte County. A public marriage license becomes part of the public record after the marriage is solemnized and returned to the county recorder. Anyone can request a certified copy of a public marriage certificate. A confidential marriage license stays private. Only the married parties can obtain copies unless a court orders release. Choose which type you want when you apply. The staff will explain the differences if you have questions.

The license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. You can use it anywhere in California during that time. There is no waiting period in California. You can get married the same day you receive your license. No residency requirement exists. You do not need to live in Butte County or California to apply here. The license works statewide regardless of where you get it.

If you were married before, be ready to provide details about when and how that marriage ended. Some counties ask for documentation such as a divorce decree or death certificate. Call 530-538-7691 before you visit to ask what documents you need. This prevents a wasted trip if you are missing required paperwork.

Civil Ceremonies and Deputy Commissioners

Civil ceremonies are available at the Butte County Clerk-Recorder office. The county can perform your marriage at the courthouse in Oroville. This option is convenient if you want a simple ceremony without hiring a private officiant. Ask about ceremony fees and scheduling when you apply for your license. Some appointments fill up quickly during popular seasons.

Butte County offers a Deputy Commissioner for a Day program. This lets a friend or family member become authorized to perform your marriage ceremony. The person must be at least 18 years old. They apply through the Clerk-Recorder office and pay a fee. Once approved, they can officiate your wedding on a specific date. This option is popular with couples who want someone meaningful to them to conduct the ceremony. Check with the office for current program details and fees.

Whoever performs your marriage must sign the license and return it to the county within 10 days after the ceremony. The county recorder then registers the marriage. This creates the official record. Public marriage licenses are filed with the county recorder. Confidential marriage licenses are filed with the county clerk. Both offices work together in most counties to manage these records.

Note: The Deputy Commissioner for a Day program requires advance planning and approval so start the process early.

Marriage Certificate Copies

The Butte County Clerk-Recorder issues certified copies of marriage certificates for marriages that took place in Butte County. If you were married elsewhere, contact that county. The certificate fee is $19 per copy as of January 2026. This fee went up by $2 under Assembly Bill 64 which took effect at the start of 2026. The fee applies across California.

Anyone can request a public marriage certificate by paying the fee. You need the names of both parties and the marriage date or approximate date. The staff will search the records and provide a certified copy if found. Confidential marriage certificates are restricted. Only the two parties named on the certificate can get copies. A court order is required for anyone else to access the record. This privacy protection is permanent under California law.

In-person requests at the Oroville office often get same-day service. Visit during morning hours for fastest turnaround. Bring identification and payment. The staff will search while you wait in most cases. Mail requests take longer. Send a written request with full names, marriage date, and contact information. Include payment made to Butte County Clerk-Recorder. Mail to 155 Nelson Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965. Allow several weeks for processing and mailing.

The vital records page has information about requesting all types of vital records including marriage certificates. The fee schedule shows current costs. Fees can change so check the website or call before you visit or mail a request. The forms page may have application forms you can download and complete in advance.

Online Ordering Options

VitalChek offers online ordering for California vital records through a contract with the state. Service fees apply on top of the certificate fee. VitalChek processes your order and coordinates with the appropriate agency to fulfill it. This option is convenient if you cannot visit Butte County in person. Processing takes longer than walking into the office but may be faster than mailing a request directly to the county.

The California Department of Public Health Vital Records division also maintains some marriage records. CDPH has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. They do not keep confidential marriage records. If your Butte County marriage falls within these years, you can request from the state instead of the county. State processing averages 5 to 7 weeks compared to faster county service.

Cities in Butte County

Butte County includes several cities and towns. The city of Chico is the largest in the county with over 100,000 residents. Chico is home to California State University Chico. Residents of Chico use the Butte County Clerk-Recorder in Oroville for marriage licenses and certificates. The county office in Oroville serves all Butte County residents regardless of which city or town they live in.

Oroville itself is the county seat. Paradise is another community in Butte County. Gridley and Biggs are smaller towns in the valley portion of the county. All residents of these communities use the same Clerk-Recorder office in Oroville for marriage record services. No city in California issues marriage licenses. The county handles this function for all areas within its boundaries.

Nearby Counties

Butte County borders several other northern California counties. Glenn County is to the west. Tehama County lies to the north and west. Plumas County borders to the north and east. Yuba County is to the south. Sutter County is southwest of Butte. Each county maintains its own marriage records through its Clerk-Recorder office. If you were married in a neighboring county, contact that county for your certificate.

Highway 70 connects Butte County to Plumas County in the mountains and to the Sacramento Valley. Highway 99 runs north-south through the valley portion of the county. Highway 32 provides access to mountain areas. Travel times between counties vary based on terrain and road conditions. The Butte County office in Oroville is the only place to get Butte County marriage licenses.