Imperial County Marriage License Services
Imperial County marriage records are kept at the County Clerk office in El Centro. The office is at 940 West Main Street in Suite 202. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available to couples in Imperial County. The county sits in the far southeastern corner of California near the Mexican border. El Centro 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 Imperial County issues it. You can use it anywhere in the state during that time. The clerk office handles marriage applications, certificate copies, and vital records for all communities in Imperial County.
Imperial County Quick Facts
County Clerk Office in Imperial County
The Imperial County Clerk office handles all marriage license applications and vital records. Located at 940 West Main Street in Suite 202 in El Centro, 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 Imperial County.
Visit the Imperial County Clerk website for information about services. The site may provide details about required documents, office hours, and fees. Call ahead to confirm hours and document requirements before you visit Imperial County.
The clerk office handles vital records including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates. For marriage services, staff can issue licenses and provide certified copies of certificates on file. All vital records for Imperial County are maintained at this single location in El Centro.
| Address |
940 West Main Street, Suite 202 El Centro, CA 92243 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (442) 265-1060 |
| Website | co.imperial.ca.us/countyclerk |
How to Apply for Marriage Licenses
Both parties must visit the Imperial County clerk office together in El Centro. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license or passport. Your ID must show your photo, birth date, and expiration date. If you were married before, know when and how that marriage ended. Some counties ask for proof such as a divorce decree in Imperial County.
No blood test is required in California. This rule applies in Imperial County as well. No waiting period exists after you get your license. You can marry right away. The license stays valid for 90 days from the date of issue. After that time, it expires and you must apply again in Imperial County.
You can choose a public marriage license or a confidential marriage license. Public licenses require one witness signature at the ceremony. These records become public and anyone can request copies. 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 Imperial County.
Marriage Fees in Imperial County
Marriage license fees in Imperial County are set by the county clerk office. Public and confidential licenses may have different costs. Call (442) 265-1060 to confirm current fees before you visit. Payment methods typically include cash, checks, money orders, and possibly credit cards at the Imperial County office in El Centro.
Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64 which took effect at the start of 2026. The new rate applies throughout California including Imperial County. Additional copies ordered at the same time may cost less per copy.
The California Department of Public Health fee schedule shows state-level charges. County fees may differ slightly. Always check with Imperial County before you visit or send payment by mail.
After Your Marriage Ceremony
Your officiant must return the completed marriage license to Imperial County within 10 days. This is required by California law. The officiant fills out ceremony details and gathers signatures. For public marriages, at least one witness must sign. No witnesses are needed for confidential marriages in Imperial County.
Do not alter your license after Imperial County issues it. Do not cross out mistakes or use white-out. Any changes void the license. You would need to pay for a new license if this happens. Write carefully when you complete the application at the clerk office in El Centro.
Once Imperial County registers your marriage, you can request 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 several copies if you plan to change your name in Imperial County.
Getting Marriage Certificate Copies
Contact the Imperial County Clerk office to request copies of marriage certificates. Visit in person at 940 West Main Street in El Centro 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 Imperial County. Confidential marriage certificates are only available to the married parties.
You can also request copies by mail. Write to Imperial County Clerk, 940 West Main Street, Suite 202, El Centro, CA 92243. Include the names of both parties, the marriage date, and your contact information. Enclose $19 per copy. Mail requests typically take one to two weeks to process in Imperial County.
For marriages that occurred many years ago in Imperial County, the local office is your best source. The state only has certain years available. Local counties maintain complete records for their jurisdictions. Call (442) 265-1060 if you need help finding an old marriage record in Imperial County.
The CDPH processing times page shows that state requests take 5 to 7 weeks on average. County offices are much faster. In-person visits to Imperial County provide same-day service in most cases.
California Marriage Laws in Imperial County
California Family Code Part 1 defines marriage requirements for all counties including Imperial County. Both parties must consent to the marriage. You must obtain a valid license before your ceremony. An authorized person must perform the marriage. The license becomes a certificate when Imperial County registers it after the ceremony.
You cannot marry if you are already married to someone else. Your previous marriage must end by death, divorce, or annulment before you can remarry in California. This applies in Imperial County as in all 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. 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 Imperial County.
Nearby California Counties
Several counties border Imperial County in southern California. Each county maintains its own marriage records. If you need records from another county, contact that county directly. Nearby counties include:
Imperial County cannot provide marriage records from other California counties. You must contact the county where the marriage license was issued to obtain copies.