Contra Costa County Marriage Records

Contra Costa County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk office in Martinez. You can apply for a marriage license online to start the process then complete it in person. 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 from issue date. Civil ceremonies are available at the county office. Credit and debit cards are accepted but may have service fees. The County Clerk issues licenses and provides certified copies of marriage certificates for marriages that occurred in Contra Costa County. Public records are open to anyone while confidential certificates are restricted to the married parties or court orders. The office serves the entire county including all cities and unincorporated areas.

Contra Costa County Clerk Office

The Contra Costa County Clerk office is at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is 925-335-7900. Martinez is the county seat where all marriage licenses are issued for Contra Costa County. Marriage certificate copies for Contra Costa County marriages are also obtained at this office.

Contra Costa County is in the East Bay area with a population over 1.16 million. The county includes major cities like Concord, Antioch, and Richmond. Martinez sits along the Carquinez Strait. Interstate 680 and Highway 4 provide main access routes. BART serves parts of the county. The County Clerk office handles marriage licenses, vital records, and election services.

Parking is available near the county office in Martinez. The office serves a large population so peak times can be busy. Arrive early during popular wedding seasons like summer and around Valentine's Day. Morning hours typically have shorter wait times. The staff processes marriage license applications, performs civil ceremonies, and provides certified copies of marriage certificates.

Credit and debit cards are accepted for payment. A service fee is charged for card transactions. The exact fee percentage varies. Ask about the service fee when you call or visit. You can avoid the card fee by paying with a check or money order. Make checks payable to Contra Costa County Clerk. Bringing exact payment speeds up the process.

How to Apply for a Marriage License

An online application is available through the marriage license information page. You can start the application 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 replace the in-person visit. It just speeds things up when you arrive.

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 present the original document.

Public and confidential marriage licenses are both offered. 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 two parties named on the certificate can obtain copies unless a court orders otherwise. You choose which type when you apply. The staff can explain the differences if you have questions.

The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You can marry anywhere in California during that time. 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 Contra Costa County or California to get a license here. The license works statewide.

If you were married before, be ready to provide details about when and how that marriage ended. Some counties require documentation such as a divorce decree or death certificate. Call 925-335-7900 before you visit to ask what documents you need. This saves a second trip if you are missing required paperwork. The staff can tell you exactly what to bring based on your situation.

Note: Both parties must appear in person with photo ID to complete the marriage license application.

Civil Ceremonies in Contra Costa County

Civil ceremonies are available at the County Clerk office in Martinez. The county can perform your marriage at a designated location in the county office building. This option is convenient if you want a simple ceremony without hiring a private officiant. You need to schedule a ceremony appointment when you apply for your license or separately by calling the office.

The ceremony information page has details about scheduling and what to expect. The ceremony fees page shows current costs for county-performed ceremonies. Fees can vary based on the day and time. Some dates like weekends or holidays may cost more than weekday ceremonies during regular office hours.

You can bring guests to your ceremony. Ask about guest limits when you schedule. The county provides a designated ceremony space. You provide any decorations or personal touches you want. The ceremony is brief and focuses on the legal requirements. Plan for about 15 to 30 minutes total. Whoever performs your marriage will sign the license. The county processes the signed license and creates your official marriage record.

If you prefer a private officiant instead of a county ceremony, you can take your license and arrange your own ceremony. Any authorized person can perform a marriage in California. This includes judges, clergy, and temporary officiants authorized by the county. The officiant must sign the license and return it to the county within 10 days after the ceremony.

Marriage Certificate Copies

The Contra Costa County Clerk issues certified copies of marriage certificates for marriages that took place in Contra Costa 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.

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 marriage date or approximate date. The staff will search the records and issue a certified copy if found. Confidential marriage certificates are restricted. Only the married parties can obtain 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 Martinez office typically receive faster service than mail requests. Visit during morning hours for the quickest turnaround. The office opens at 8:00 AM. Bring identification and payment. The staff will search while you wait in many cases. Same-day service is possible depending on workload and time of day.

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 Contra Costa County Clerk. Mail to 555 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Processing time for mail requests varies. Allow several weeks for the office to search records, prepare the certificate, and mail it to you.

The vital records page explains how to request marriage certificates and other vital records. Forms and instructions may be available on the website. Check for current information before you visit or mail a request. Fees and procedures can change so always verify current requirements.

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 live far from Contra Costa County. 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 maintains marriage records for certain years. CDPH has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. They do not keep confidential marriage records. If your Contra Costa 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 compared to faster county service.

County service is usually faster than state service if you can visit Martinez in person. The County Clerk office can often provide same-day copies for in-person requests. State and VitalChek orders take weeks. Consider the urgency of your need when choosing between county, state, or online ordering. For urgent needs, visit the county office in person. For routine needs where time is not critical, mail or online ordering may be more convenient.

Cities in Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County includes several major California cities. All residents use the County Clerk office in Martinez for marriage licenses and certificates. The following cities are served by this office:

Antioch is in the eastern part of the county along the San Joaquin River. Concord is the largest city in the county. Richmond sits on the western shore near the bay. These are the qualifying cities with populations over 100,000. Smaller cities in Contra Costa County include Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, and Hercules. All county residents go to the Martinez County Clerk office for marriage licenses regardless of which city they live in.

Nearby Counties

Contra Costa County is surrounded by other Bay Area counties. Alameda County is to the south. San Joaquin County borders to the east. Sacramento County is northeast of Contra Costa. Solano County lies to the north. Marin County is across the bay to the west. San Francisco County is southwest across the water. Each county maintains its own marriage records through its County Clerk or Clerk-Recorder office. If you were married in a neighboring county, contact that county for your marriage certificate.

Travel between Bay Area counties is easy using highways and BART. Interstate 80, Interstate 680, Highway 4, and Highway 24 connect Contra Costa County to surrounding areas. The Contra Costa County Clerk office in Martinez is the only place to obtain marriage licenses for Contra Costa County marriages. Call 925-335-7900 for current information or visit the website before traveling to the office.