Find Kern County Marriage Records
Kern County marriage records are managed by the Assessor-Recorder office at the Hall of Records in Bakersfield. The office sits at 1655 Chester Avenue in downtown Bakersfield. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available to couples in Kern County. The county serves over 900,000 residents across the southern San Joaquin Valley. Bakersfield is 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 Kern County issues it. You can use it anywhere in the state. The assessor-recorder office handles marriage applications, certificate copies, and vital records for all communities in Kern County including Bakersfield.
Kern County Quick Facts
Kern County Assessor-Recorder Office
The Assessor-Recorder office in Kern County handles all marriage license applications and vital records. Located at the Hall of Records at 1655 Chester Avenue in Bakersfield, 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 Kern County.
Visit the Kern County Assessor-Recorder website for forms and information. The site provides details about services, hours, and document requirements. Check the website before you visit to see current information about marriage services in Kern County.
The Kern County vital records page explains how to order birth, death, and marriage certificates. California Health and Safety Code section 103526 limits who can obtain certified copies for unrestricted use. Qualified family members and certain officials can order certified copies. Anyone can order informational copies for historical purposes but these cannot be used to establish identity in Kern County.
The fee for obtaining marriage certificates increased on January 1, 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. VitalChek online ordering is available for convenience. The assessor-recorder office handles property records in addition to vital records in Kern County.
| Address |
1655 Chester Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (661) 868-3588 |
| Website | kerncounty.com/government/departments/assessor-recorder |
Marriage License Application Process
Both parties must visit the Kern County assessor-recorder office together in Bakersfield. 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 Kern County.
No blood test is required in California. No waiting period applies after you get your license. You can marry the same day in Kern 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 Kern County.
Check the Kern County marriage license page for detailed instructions. The page explains what documents to bring and how to complete the application in Kern County.
Fees for Marriage Services in Kern County
Marriage license fees in Kern County are set by the assessor-recorder office. Public and confidential licenses may have different costs. Call (661) 868-3588 to confirm current fees before you visit. Payment methods typically include cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards at the Kern County office in Bakersfield.
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 Kern County.
The California Department of Public Health fee schedule shows state-level charges. County fees may differ. Always verify exact amounts with Kern County before you visit or mail payment.
After the Marriage Ceremony
Your officiant must return the completed license to Kern 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 Kern 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 assessor-recorder office in Bakersfield.
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 Kern County.
Obtaining Marriage Certificate Copies
Contact the Kern County Assessor-Recorder office to request marriage certificate copies. Visit in person at 1655 Chester Avenue in Bakersfield 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 Kern County. Confidential marriage certificates are only available to the married parties.
You can request copies by mail. Write to Kern County Assessor-Recorder, 1655 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Include both names, the marriage date, and your contact information. Enclose $19 per copy. Mail requests take one to two weeks to process in Kern County.
Online ordering through VitalChek is available for Kern County marriage certificates. This service charges extra fees for processing and shipping. In-person visits cost less and provide faster service at the Hall of Records in Bakersfield.
For old marriage records in Kern 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 (661) 868-3588 if you need help finding historical marriage records in Kern County.
Marriage Laws and Requirements
California Family Code Part 1 governs marriage in all counties including Kern 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 Kern 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 Kern 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 Kern County.
Cities in Kern County
Kern County includes one city with population over 100,000. All marriage licenses for this city are handled by the Kern County Assessor-Recorder office in Bakersfield. Major cities include:
Residents of Bakersfield apply for marriage licenses at the assessor-recorder office in the city. All marriage records for Kern County are kept at the Hall of Records.
Nearby California Counties
Several counties border Kern County. Each county maintains its own marriage records. If you need records from another county, contact that county clerk office directly. Nearby counties include:
- Tulare County
- Inyo County
- San Bernardino County
- Los Angeles County
- Ventura County
- San Luis Obispo County
Kern County cannot provide marriage records from other California counties. You must contact the county where the marriage license was issued to get copies.