Lassen County Marriage Records
Lassen County marriage records are maintained at the Clerk-Recorder office in Susanville. The office is at 220 South Lassen Street in Suite 5. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available to couples in Lassen County. This county sits in the northeastern corner of California near the Nevada border. Susanville 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 Lassen 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 Lassen County.
Lassen County Quick Facts
Lassen County Clerk-Recorder Office
The Clerk-Recorder office in Lassen County handles all marriage license applications and vital records. Located at 220 South Lassen Street in Suite 5 in Susanville, 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 Lassen County.
Visit the Lassen County Clerk-Recorder 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 Lassen County.
The clerk-recorder 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 Lassen County are maintained at this single location in Susanville.
| Address |
220 South Lassen Street, Suite 5 Susanville, CA 96130 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (530) 251-8234 |
| Website | lassencounty.org/government/county-departments/county-clerk-recorder |
How to Apply for Marriage Licenses
Both parties must visit the Lassen County clerk office together in Susanville. 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 Lassen County.
No blood test is required in California. This rule applies in Lassen 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 Lassen 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 Lassen County.
Marriage Fees in Lassen County
Marriage license fees in Lassen County are set by the county clerk office. Public and confidential licenses may have different costs. Call (530) 251-8234 to confirm current fees before you visit. Payment methods typically include cash, checks, money orders, and possibly credit cards at the Lassen County office in Susanville.
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 Lassen 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 Lassen County before you visit or send payment by mail.
After Your Marriage Ceremony
Your officiant must return the completed marriage license to Lassen 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 Lassen County.
Do not alter your license after Lassen 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 Susanville.
Once Lassen 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 Lassen County.
Getting Marriage Certificate Copies
Contact the Lassen County Clerk-Recorder office to request copies of marriage certificates. Visit in person at 220 South Lassen Street in Susanville 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 Lassen County. Confidential marriage certificates are only available to the married parties.
You can also request copies by mail. Write to Lassen County Clerk-Recorder, 220 South Lassen Street, Suite 5, Susanville, CA 96130. 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 Lassen County.
For marriages that occurred many years ago in Lassen County, the local office is your best source. The state only has certain years available. Local counties maintain complete records for their jurisdictions. Call (530) 251-8234 if you need help finding an old marriage record in Lassen 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 Lassen County provide same-day service in most cases.
California Marriage Laws in Lassen County
California Family Code Part 1 defines marriage requirements for all counties including Lassen 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 Lassen 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 Lassen 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 Lassen County.
Nearby California Counties
Several counties border Lassen County in northeastern California. Each county maintains its own marriage records. If you need records from another county, contact that county directly. Nearby counties include:
Lassen County cannot provide marriage records from other California counties. You must contact the county where the marriage license was issued to obtain copies.