El Dorado County Marriage Records
Marriage records in El Dorado County are managed by the County Clerk-Recorder office. This includes both public and confidential marriage licenses issued in El Dorado County. The office maintains two locations to serve residents and visitors. The main office is in Placerville while a branch office operates in South Lake Tahoe. Both offices can issue marriage licenses and provide certified copies of marriage certificates. El Dorado County serves communities from the Sierra Nevada foothills to Lake Tahoe. No residency requirement exists for couples who want to marry in El Dorado County. The license is valid for 90 days. You can use it anywhere in California once the county issues it.
El Dorado County Quick Facts
El Dorado County Clerk-Recorder Office
The Clerk-Recorder office in El Dorado County handles all marriage license applications. Two offices serve the public. Visit the main office at 360 Fair Lane in Placerville for marriage licenses and certificates. This location serves the western part of El Dorado County. The South Lake Tahoe office at 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd provides services to the Lake Tahoe area. Both parties must appear together to apply for a marriage license. Staff can answer questions about marriage requirements in El Dorado County.
You can visit the El Dorado County Clerk-Recorder website for current information. The office provides details about required documents and appointment availability. Call ahead to confirm hours if you plan to visit. Some services may require an appointment at certain times of year in El Dorado County.
Check the marriage information page for forms and requirements. This page explains what you need to bring when you apply. Both public and confidential licenses are available in El Dorado County.
| Main Office |
360 Fair Lane Placerville, CA 95667 Phone: (530) 621-5490 |
|---|---|
| South Lake Tahoe Office |
3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Suite 206 South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 Phone: (530) 621-5490 |
| Website | edcgov.us/Government/Recorder |
How to Apply for Marriage Licenses
Both parties must appear in person at the El Dorado County clerk office. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license or passport. Your ID must show your photo, birth date, and expiration date. Some couples also bring their birth certificates though this is not always required in El Dorado County. If you were married before, know when and how that marriage ended. The clerk may ask for proof such as a divorce decree or death certificate.
No blood test is needed in California. This rule applies in El Dorado County as well. No waiting period exists after you get the license. You can marry right away. The license stays valid for 90 days. Use it anywhere in California during that time. After 90 days, the license expires and you need to apply again in El Dorado County.
You can choose between a public marriage license or a confidential marriage license in El Dorado County. Public licenses require one witness signature at the ceremony. These become part of public records. Confidential licenses require no witnesses. Both parties must be at least 18 years old and living together to use a confidential license. Only the married parties can get copies of confidential marriage records in El Dorado County. Public records are open to anyone who asks.
Marriage License and Certificate Fees
Fees for marriage services in El Dorado County follow California standards with some local variation. The marriage license fee is set by the county. Public marriage licenses and confidential marriage licenses may have different costs. Call the office at (530) 621-5490 to confirm current fees before you visit El Dorado County.
Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64. The new rate applies throughout California including El Dorado County. Additional copies ordered at the same time may cost less per copy. Ask the clerk staff about bulk copy rates in El Dorado County.
The California Department of Public Health fee schedule shows state-level charges. County fees may differ. Always check with the El Dorado County clerk office for exact amounts. Fees can change each year.
Payment methods accepted at El Dorado County offices include cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. Some payment types may have additional processing fees. Ask when you call or visit. Bring exact payment if you use cash at the El Dorado County clerk office.
After Your Marriage Ceremony
Your officiant must return the completed marriage license to El Dorado County within 10 days. This is required by California law. The officiant fills out the ceremony details and collects signatures. For public marriages, at least one witness must sign. No witnesses are needed for confidential marriages in El Dorado County.
Do not alter your license after the county issues it. Do not cross out mistakes or use white-out. Any changes void the license. You would need to get a new license if this happens in El Dorado County. Write carefully when you complete the forms at the clerk office.
Once El Dorado County registers your marriage, you can request certified copies. You need certified copies to change your name on official documents. Banks, DMV, Social Security, and passport offices all require certified marriage certificates. Order several copies if you plan to change your name in El Dorado County.
Getting Marriage Certificate Copies
Contact the El Dorado County Clerk-Recorder office to request copies of marriage certificates. Visit in person at either Placerville or South Lake Tahoe for same-day service. Bring valid photo ID that matches the name on the record if you are a party to the marriage. For public marriage records, anyone can request copies in El Dorado County. Confidential marriage certificates are available only to the married parties.
You can also request copies by mail. Write to the Placerville office at 360 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667. Include the names of both parties, the marriage date, and your contact information. Enclose payment for $19 per copy. Processing time for mail requests typically takes one to two weeks in El Dorado County.
For marriages that occurred many years ago in El Dorado County, the local office is your best source. The state only has certain years available. Local counties maintain complete records. Call (530) 621-5490 if you need help finding an old marriage record in El Dorado County.
Online ordering may be available through vendor services. Check the El Dorado County website for current options. VitalChek and similar services charge extra fees for convenience. In-person visits to the clerk office cost less and provide faster service in El Dorado County.
California Marriage Laws in El Dorado County
California marriage law applies in all counties including El Dorado County. California Family Code Part 1 defines marriage requirements. Both parties must consent to the marriage. You must obtain a valid license. An authorized person must perform the ceremony. The marriage becomes legal when the license is registered with El Dorado County.
You cannot marry if you are already married to someone else. This applies in El Dorado County as in all California counties. Your previous marriage must end by death, divorce, or annulment before you remarry. Marriage by proxy is not allowed except for military members deployed overseas under specific conditions in California law.
Either spouse can change their middle or last name through marriage. No separate court petition is needed under California Family Code section 306.5. The marriage certificate showing your new name is proof of the change. Use certified copies to update all your legal documents in El Dorado County.
Nearby California Counties
Several other counties border El Dorado County. Each county clerk-recorder office operates independently. If you need records from another county, contact that county directly. Nearby counties include:
Each county maintains its own marriage records. You must contact the county where the marriage license was issued to get copies. El Dorado County cannot provide records from other California counties.