Kings County Marriage License and Records
Kings County marriage records are kept at the Assessor-Clerk-Recorder office in Hanford. The office is at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available to couples in Kings County. The county sits in the southern San Joaquin Valley west of Fresno County. Hanford serves as the county seat. The clerk office handles all marriage license applications for the entire county. No residency requirement exists for couples who want to marry in California. Your license is valid for 90 days from the date Kings County issues it. You can use it anywhere in the state. The assessor-clerk-recorder office combines several county functions including marriage services, vital records, and property records in Kings County.
Kings County Quick Facts
Kings County Clerk-Recorder Office
The Assessor-Clerk-Recorder office in Kings County handles all marriage license applications and vital records. Located at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard in Hanford, 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 Kings County.
Visit the Kings County Clerk-Recorder website for current information. The site may provide details about required documents, office hours, and fees. Call ahead to confirm hours and document requirements before you visit Kings County.
The office combines assessor, clerk, recorder, and election functions. For marriage services, staff can issue licenses and provide certified copies of marriage certificates. All vital records for Kings County are maintained at this single location in Hanford.
| Address |
1400 West Lacey Boulevard Hanford, CA 93230 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (559) 582-3211 ext. 2470 |
| Website | countyofkings.com/departments/assessor-clerk-recorder-elections |
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Both parties must visit the Kings County clerk office together in Hanford. 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 Kings County.
No blood test is required in California. This rule applies in Kings 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 Kings 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 Kings County.
Marriage License and Certificate Fees
Marriage license fees in Kings County are set by the clerk office. Public and confidential licenses may have different costs. Call (559) 582-3211 ext. 2470 to confirm current fees before you visit. Payment methods typically include cash, checks, and money orders at the Kings County office in Hanford.
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 Kings 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 Kings County before you visit or send payment by mail.
After Your Marriage Ceremony
Your officiant must return the completed marriage license to Kings 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 Kings County.
Do not alter your license after Kings 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 Hanford.
Once Kings 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 Kings County.
Obtaining Marriage Certificate Copies
Contact the Kings County Clerk-Recorder office to request copies of marriage certificates. Visit in person at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard in Hanford 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 Kings County. Confidential marriage certificates are only available to the married parties.
You can also request copies by mail. Write to Kings County Clerk-Recorder, 1400 West Lacey Boulevard, Hanford, CA 93230. 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 Kings County.
For marriages that occurred many years ago in Kings County, the local office is your best source. The state only has certain years available. Local counties maintain complete records for their jurisdictions. Call (559) 582-3211 ext. 2470 if you need help finding an old marriage record in Kings 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 Kings County provide same-day service in most cases.
California Marriage Laws
California Family Code Part 1 defines marriage requirements for all counties including Kings 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 Kings 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 Kings 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 Kings County.
Nearby California Counties
Several counties border Kings County in the San Joaquin Valley. Each county maintains its own marriage records. If you need records from another county, contact that county directly. Nearby counties include:
Kings County cannot provide marriage records from other California counties. You must contact the county where the marriage license was issued to obtain copies.