Access Lake County Marriage Records
Lake County maintains marriage records at the Clerk-Recorder office in Lakeport. The office sits at 255 North Forbes Street. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available in Lake County. This county covers the Clear Lake area north of Napa and Sonoma counties. Lakeport serves as the county seat and the location for all marriage license services. No residency requirement exists for couples who want to marry in California. Your license is valid for 90 days from the date Lake 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 Lake County.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Clerk-Recorder Office
The Clerk-Recorder office in Lake County handles all marriage license applications and vital records. Located at 255 North Forbes Street in Lakeport, 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 Lake County.
Visit the Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake County are kept at this location in Lakeport.
| Address |
255 North Forbes Street Lakeport, CA 95453 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (707) 263-2293 |
| Website | lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Clerk_Recorder.htm |
Applying for a Marriage License
Both parties must visit the Lake County clerk office together in Lakeport. 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 Lake County.
No blood test is required in California. No waiting period applies after you get your license. You can marry the same day in Lake 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 Lake County.
The clerk office in Lake County can provide details about which documents you need. Call (707) 263-2293 before you visit if you have questions about your specific situation.
Fees for Marriage Services in Lake County
Marriage license fees in Lake County are set by the clerk office. Public and confidential licenses may have different costs. Call (707) 263-2293 to confirm current fees before you visit. Payment methods typically include cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards at the Lake 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 Lake County.
The California Department of Public Health fee schedule shows state-level charges. County fees may differ. Always verify exact amounts with Lake County before you visit or mail payment.
After the Marriage Ceremony
Your officiant must return the completed license to Lake 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 Lake 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 Lakeport.
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 Lake County.
Obtaining Marriage Certificate Copies
Contact the Lake County Clerk-Recorder office to request marriage certificate copies. Visit in person at 255 North Forbes Street in Lakeport 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 Lake County. Confidential marriage certificates are only available to the married parties.
You can request copies by mail. Write to Lake County Clerk-Recorder, 255 North Forbes Street, Lakeport, CA 95453. Include both names, the marriage date, and your contact information. Enclose $19 per copy. Mail requests take one to two weeks to process in Lake County.
For old marriage records in Lake 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) 263-2293 if you need help finding historical marriage records in Lake County.
The CDPH processing times page notes that state requests take 5 to 7 weeks. County offices are faster. In-person visits to Lake County provide same-day service in most cases.
Marriage Laws in California
California Family Code Part 1 governs marriage in all counties including Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake County.
Nearby California Counties
Several counties border Lake 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:
Lake County cannot provide marriage records from other California counties. You must contact the county where the marriage license was issued to get copies.