Humboldt County Marriage Records Search
Humboldt County maintains marriage records at the Clerk-Recorder office in Eureka. The office sits at 825 Fifth Street in Room 120 of the county courthouse. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available to couples in Humboldt County. The county covers much of the far north coast of California. Eureka serves as the county seat and the location for all marriage license services. No residency requirement exists for people who want to marry in California. Your license is valid for 90 days from the date Humboldt County issues it. You can use it anywhere in the state. The clerk office handles marriage applications, certificate copies, and vital records for all communities in Humboldt County.
Humboldt County Quick Facts
Clerk-Recorder Office in Humboldt County
The Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder office handles all marriage license applications and vital records. Located at 825 Fifth Street in Room 120 in Eureka, the office serves walk-in customers during business hours. Both parties must appear together in person to apply for a marriage license. Staff can help you complete the application and answer questions about requirements in Humboldt County.
Visit the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder website for forms and information. The site provides details about services, hours, and document requirements. Check the website before you visit to see if appointments are needed. Some services may require advance scheduling in Humboldt County.
The clerk-recorder office also handles property records, birth certificates, and death certificates. For marriage services, staff can issue licenses and provide certified copies of marriage certificates. All vital records for Humboldt County are kept at this location in Eureka.
| Address |
825 Fifth Street, Room 120 Eureka, CA 95501 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (707) 445-7382 |
| Website | humboldtgov.org/205/Clerk-Recorder |
Applying for a Marriage License
Both parties must visit the Humboldt County clerk office together in Eureka. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license, passport, or state ID card. Your ID must show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates. If you were married before, you need to know when and how that marriage ended. Some staff may ask for a copy of your divorce decree or death certificate in Humboldt County.
No blood test is required in California. No waiting period applies after you get your license. You can marry the same day in Humboldt County. The license remains valid for 90 days. After that time, it expires and you must apply again.
Choose between a public marriage license or a confidential marriage license. Public licenses require at least one witness at your ceremony. These records become public and anyone can request copies. Confidential licenses require no witnesses. Both parties must be 18 or older and living together as spouses. Only the married parties can get copies of confidential marriage records in Humboldt County.
The clerk office in Humboldt County can provide details about which documents you need. Call (707) 445-7382 before you visit if you have questions about your specific situation.
Fees for Marriage Services in Humboldt County
Marriage license fees in Humboldt County are set by the clerk office. Public and confidential licenses may have different costs. Call (707) 445-7382 to confirm current fees before you visit. Payment methods typically include cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards at the Humboldt County office.
Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 as of January 2026. This fee increased from $17 under Assembly Bill 64. The new rate applies throughout California. Additional copies ordered at the same time may cost less per copy in Humboldt County.
The California Department of Public Health fee schedule shows state-level charges. County fees may differ. Always verify exact amounts with Humboldt County before you visit or mail payment.
After the Marriage Ceremony
Your officiant must return the completed license to Humboldt County within 10 days of your ceremony. This is required by California law. The officiant completes the ceremony information and gathers required signatures. For public marriages, one witness must sign. No witnesses are needed for confidential marriages.
Do not alter your marriage license after Humboldt County issues it. Do not cross out errors or use correction fluid. Any changes void the license. You would need to pay for and get a new license if this happens. Write carefully when you fill out forms at the clerk office in Eureka.
Once the county registers your marriage, you can order certified copies. You need these copies to change your name on official documents. Driver licenses, Social Security cards, passports, and bank accounts all require certified marriage certificates. Order multiple copies if you plan name changes in Humboldt County.
Obtaining Marriage Certificate Copies
Contact the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder office to request marriage certificate copies. Visit in person at 825 Fifth Street in Eureka for same-day service. Bring valid photo ID if you are a party to the marriage. For public marriage records, anyone can request copies in Humboldt County. Confidential marriage certificates are only available to the married parties.
You can request copies by mail. Write to Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder, 825 Fifth Street, Room 120, Eureka, CA 95501. Include both names, the marriage date, and your contact information. Enclose $19 per copy. Mail requests take one to two weeks to process in Humboldt County.
For old marriage records in Humboldt County, the local office is your best source. The state only maintains certain years. Counties keep complete records for all marriages performed in their jurisdiction. Call (707) 445-7382 if you need help finding historical marriage records in Humboldt County.
The CDPH processing times page notes that state requests take 5 to 7 weeks. County offices are faster. In-person visits to Humboldt County provide same-day service in most cases.
Marriage Laws in California
California Family Code Part 1 governs marriage in all counties including Humboldt County. Both parties must consent to the marriage. You must obtain a valid license before the ceremony. An authorized officiant must perform the marriage. The license becomes a certificate when Humboldt County registers it after the ceremony.
You cannot marry if you are already married to someone else in California. Your previous marriage must end by death, divorce, or annulment before you can remarry. This applies in Humboldt County as in all California counties. Marriage by proxy is not allowed except for military members deployed overseas under specific conditions.
Either spouse can change their middle or last name through marriage without a separate court petition. California Family Code section 306.5 allows name changes through marriage. Your marriage certificate is proof of the name change. Use certified copies to update your legal documents in Humboldt County.
Nearby California Counties
Several counties border Humboldt County in northern California. Each county maintains its own marriage records. If you need records from another county, contact that county clerk office directly. Nearby counties include:
Humboldt County cannot provide marriage records from other California counties. You must contact the county where the marriage license was issued to get copies.