Calaveras County Marriage Records

Marriage records for Calaveras County are held at the Clerk-Recorder office in San Andreas. You apply for a marriage license there and request certified copies of existing certificates. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available. Public records are open to anyone who pays the fee. Confidential certificates are restricted to the married parties or court orders. The office is in the county seat of San Andreas in the Gold Country foothills. Both parties must appear together with photo ID to get a license. The license works anywhere in California for 90 days. Calaveras County serves residents of the area and couples who want to marry in the scenic foothill setting. The office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Clerk-Recorder Office in San Andreas

The Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder office is located at 891 Mountain Ranch Road in San Andreas. The phone number is 209-754-6372. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. San Andreas is the county seat and the place where all Calaveras County marriage licenses are issued. If you were married in Calaveras County, this is where you get certified copies of your marriage certificate.

San Andreas sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills along Highway 49. The town has a small historic downtown. It serves as the government center for Calaveras County. The courthouse and county offices are located here. Parking is available near the county building. Calaveras County has a population around 45,500 people. This smaller size means the Clerk-Recorder office is less busy than urban county offices. Wait times are usually short during normal business hours.

The office handles marriage licenses, vital records, and property recording. The same staff processes all types of requests. Calaveras County attracts couples looking for a scenic mountain setting for their wedding. The area offers natural beauty and a quieter pace than urban counties. Many wineries and historic sites are located in Calaveras County.

Payment methods include checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. Ask about any additional fees for card payments when you call or visit. Some counties charge a small percentage for credit card transactions. Bringing exact payment by check or money order can speed things up and avoid extra fees.

Getting a Marriage License

Both parties must appear in person at the Clerk-Recorder office with valid photo identification. A driver license, passport, state ID card, or military ID is acceptable. Your ID must be current and show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates. You cannot complete the license process by mail or entirely online. In-person appearance by both parties is required under California law.

Calaveras County issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license becomes a public record once 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 license remains private. Only the two parties named on the certificate can obtain copies unless a court orders otherwise. You choose the type when you apply. The staff can explain the differences if needed.

The marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You can marry anywhere in California during that period. No waiting period exists in California. You can get married the same day you receive your license. No residency requirement applies. You do not need to live in Calaveras County or California to get a license here. The license works throughout the state.

If you were married before, be ready to provide information about when and how that prior marriage ended. Some counties require documentation such as a divorce decree or death certificate. Call the Clerk-Recorder at 209-754-6372 before your visit to ask what documents you need. This saves a second trip if paperwork is missing.

Civil ceremonies may be available at the county office. Ask about this option when you apply for your license. Some couples prefer to have the county perform a simple ceremony. Others take the license and arrange their own ceremony with a private officiant or religious leader. The license must be signed by whoever performs the ceremony and returned to the county within 10 days.

Note: Both parties must be present with photo ID to apply for a marriage license.

Marriage Certificate Copies

The Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder provides certified copies of marriage certificates for marriages that occurred in Calaveras County. If you were married in another county, contact that county's office. The fee for a certified copy is $19 as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64 which took effect at the start of 2026. The increase applies statewide to all California counties.

Public marriage certificates are available to anyone who requests them and pays the fee. You need to provide the names of both parties and the date of marriage or an approximate date. The Clerk-Recorder staff will search the records and issue a certified copy if the record is found. Processing is usually quick for in-person requests. Confidential marriage certificates are different. Only the married parties can get copies. A court order is required for anyone else to access the record.

In-person requests at the San Andreas office typically receive faster service than mail requests. Visit during morning hours for the quickest turnaround. The office is less crowded early in the day. Bring identification and exact payment if possible. The staff will often search the records while you wait. This is much faster than mailing a request and waiting weeks for a response.

Mail requests are accepted for people who cannot visit in person. Send a written request with the full names of both parties, the marriage date or approximate date, and your contact information. Include payment for the certificate fee. Make checks or money orders payable to Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder. Mail to 891 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas, CA 95249. Processing time for mail requests depends on workload. Allow several weeks for the office to search records, prepare the certificate, and mail it to you.

Marriage Services and Forms

The marriage services page on the Calaveras County website has details about license requirements and procedures. The vital records page explains how to request copies of marriage certificates and other vital records. The fee schedule shows current costs for various Clerk-Recorder services including marriage licenses and certificate copies.

The forms page may have downloadable application forms. Completing forms before your visit can save time at the office. Check the website for current forms and instructions. Fees can change so always verify the current amounts before you visit or mail a request. Call 209-754-6372 if you have questions about what forms or documents you need.

California law sets the basic fee structure for vital records but counties can add fees for specific services. The state certificate fee is $19 as of January 2026. Marriage license fees vary by county. Ask about the total cost including any county fees when you call or visit. This gives you the complete picture of what you will pay.

Vital Records Access Rules

California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 limits who can obtain certified copies of vital records. This law was passed to prevent identity theft. Authorized individuals include the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and certain government officials. Anyone can request an informational copy but it cannot be used to establish identity. The copy is stamped showing its restricted use.

If you need a marriage certificate for legal purposes like applying for a passport, changing your name with Social Security, or proving marital status for benefits, request an authorized certified copy. If you need the record for family history or personal research, an informational copy works. The fee is typically the same. The difference is the stamp and whether the document can be used for official purposes.

Confidential marriage records are more restricted than public records. California Family Code sections 500 through 511 govern confidential marriages. These records are sealed from public view. Only the married parties can obtain copies. A court order is required for anyone else to access a confidential marriage certificate. This privacy protection is permanent and does not expire.

State Records Alternative

The California Department of Public Health Vital Records division keeps marriage records for certain years. CDPH has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. They do not maintain confidential marriage records. If your Calaveras County marriage falls within the years held by the state, you can request from CDPH instead of the county. State processing takes 5 to 7 weeks. County service is faster if you can visit San Andreas in person.

VitalChek provides online ordering for California vital records. Service fees apply on top of the certificate fee. VitalChek coordinates with the state or county to fulfill your order. This option is convenient if you live far from Calaveras County. Processing takes longer than walking into the office but may be faster than mailing a request directly to the county. Visit the VitalChek website to place an order online.

Nearby Counties

Calaveras County borders several other Gold Country and mountain counties. Amador County is to the north. San Joaquin County lies to the west. Stanislaus County borders to the southwest. Tuolumne County is to the south and east. Alpine County borders to the east. 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 marriage certificate.

Highway 49 runs through Calaveras County connecting it to other foothill counties. Highway 4 provides access to mountain areas and Alpine County. Travel between counties can be scenic but takes time due to winding mountain roads. The Calaveras County Clerk-Recorder in San Andreas is the only office that issues marriage licenses for Calaveras County. Plan your visit during office hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.