Marriage Records in Madera County

Marriage records in Madera County are held at the County Clerk-Recorder office on West 4th Street in the city of Madera. The office handles both public and confidential marriage licenses for residents and non-residents alike. No residency requirement exists for those who want to marry in California. Both parties must appear in person to apply. Certified copies of marriage certificates are available from the same office once the officiant returns the completed license. Madera County provides access to historic marriage records as well as current certificates for those who married recently in this Central Valley county.

Madera County Clerk-Recorder Office

The County Clerk-Recorder in Madera handles all marriage services for the county. This includes issuing licenses, performing civil ceremonies, and providing certified copies of marriage certificates. The office is located downtown in the city of Madera. Staff process requests in person, by mail, and through online systems. Walk-in service is available during business hours at the main counter. You can also email questions to recorderinfo@maderacounty.com before your visit to Madera County.

Visit the Madera County Clerk-Recorder website to find forms, contact information, and hours. The office handles vital records including birth, death, and marriage certificates. Staff can search records going back many decades. Older records may take extra time to locate but most requests are filled the same day if you visit in person in Madera County.

Victims of wildfires or other natural disasters declared a state of emergency by the Governor may obtain certified copies of vital records at no cost. This includes marriage certificates. Contact the Clerk-Recorder office to confirm your eligibility and submit your request if you lost documents in a disaster in Madera County.

How to Get a Marriage License

Both people must visit the Madera County Clerk-Recorder office together to apply for a marriage license. Bring valid photo ID such as a California driver license, passport, or state ID card. The ID must show your birth date and a photo. Some forms of military ID or consular ID may also be accepted. Ask the clerk if you have questions about acceptable identification before your visit to Madera County.

No blood test is required in California. There is no waiting period so you can use your license the same day it is issued. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can marry anywhere in California once you have your Madera County license. If you were married before, you need to know when and how that marriage ended. Bring a divorce decree or death certificate if the previous marriage ended recently in Madera County.

Madera County offers both public and confidential marriage licenses. Public licenses become part of the public record. Anyone can request copies after the marriage is registered. At least one witness must sign a public marriage license at the ceremony. Confidential licenses are private. Only the married parties can get copies unless a court orders otherwise. No witnesses are needed for confidential marriages. Both parties must be at least 18 years old and living together to use a confidential license in Madera County.

The marriage license fee varies but is generally in line with other California counties. Call ahead to confirm the current cost. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. Some counties charge a small convenience fee for card payments. The clerk will tell you the total when you apply in Madera County.

After Your Marriage Ceremony

The person who performs your ceremony must return the completed marriage license to the County Clerk-Recorder within 10 days. This is required under California Family Code section 359. The officiant fills in the ceremony date and location. For public marriages, the witness or witnesses sign the license. The officiant then mails or delivers it to the Madera County office for recording.

Once the license is recorded, your marriage is official. You do not automatically get a copy of your marriage certificate. You must request and pay for certified copies if you need them. Most people need certified copies for legal purposes like name changes, updating Social Security records, or applying for spousal benefits. The County Recorder issues certified copies of public marriage certificates. The County Clerk issues confidential marriage certificates in Madera County.

Do not alter your marriage license after it is issued. Do not cross out information, use white-out, or make any marks that change the printed information. All data on the license must be legible and reproducible. Any alterations void the license. You would need to pay for and obtain a new license if this happens in Madera County.

Obtaining Certified Copies

Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 per certificate under Assembly Bill 64. The same fee applies whether you request in person, by mail, or online. Additional copies ordered at the same time may cost less. Ask the clerk for bulk pricing if you need multiple copies in Madera County.

In-person requests are often processed the same day if the record is on file. Visit the Clerk-Recorder office at 200 West 4th Street in Madera during business hours. Bring photo ID that matches the name on the record or shows your relationship to a party on the record. Staff will search the database and print your certified copy while you wait in most cases. Very old records may take longer if they are in storage or archived off site in Madera County.

Mail requests take one to two weeks depending on processing volume. Download the application form from the Madera County vital records page. Fill out the form and include payment. Make checks or money orders payable to Madera County Clerk-Recorder. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want to save postage costs. Mail your request to the address listed on the form for Madera County.

Some California counties offer online ordering through VitalChek. Check the Madera County website or call the office to ask if online ordering is available. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the certificate cost but offers faster processing and delivery options. You can pay by credit card and choose expedited shipping to get your certificate within a few business days in Madera County.

Certified copies issued by the County Recorder may not have the state file number on the certificate. If the agency requesting your marriage certificate requires a state file number, you must order from the California Department of Public Health instead of the county. CDPH processing times are much longer than county service but their certificates include all state identifiers. Call ahead to ask which version you need before ordering in Madera County.

Who Can Request Marriage Certificates

California law limits who can obtain certified copies of marriage records. Under California Health and Safety Code section 103526, authorized copies are available only to certain people. This law was enacted to prevent identity theft. You must be a party to the marriage, an immediate family member, or have a legal interest to request an authorized copy in Madera County.

Authorized copies are also called unrestricted use copies. These can be used to establish identity, change your name, or apply for government benefits. Qualifying family members include parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings, and spouses. Certain government officials and professionals like attorneys can also request authorized copies if they have a legal need in Madera County.

Informational copies are available to anyone. These copies are marked for informational purposes only. They cannot be used to establish identity or for official transactions. Historical researchers, genealogists, and others use informational copies. The fee is the same as for authorized copies. You just do not need to prove your relationship when you order an informational copy in Madera County.

Fees and Payment Methods

All fee increases are mandated by state law. Assembly Bill 64 raised vital records fees by $2 per certificate effective January 1, 2026. This applies to birth, death, and marriage certificates. The increase funds improvements to the vital records system statewide. Madera County must charge the state-mandated fees for certified copies of marriage certificates.

If the Clerk-Recorder cannot locate your record, you may receive a Certificate of No Public Record. The search fee is retained even if no record is found. This is authorized by state law. Make sure you provide accurate information when you request a marriage certificate. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, and the location if known in Madera County.

Payment methods include cash, personal checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. The office may charge a convenience fee for card transactions. This fee covers the cost of processing electronic payments. Ask about the total cost including any convenience fees before you submit your payment in Madera County.

Cities in Madera County

Madera County includes several incorporated cities and many unincorporated communities. All residents use the County Clerk-Recorder in the city of Madera for marriage licenses and certificates. The county seat is centrally located for access from most parts of Madera County.

The city of Madera is the largest community and county seat. Other areas in Madera County include Chowchilla, Oakhurst, and numerous smaller towns and rural areas. All of these areas file marriage records with the Madera County Clerk-Recorder.

Nearby Counties

Madera County is located in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills. It borders several other California counties. If you are not sure which county issued your marriage license, check the location where the ceremony took place or contact the county clerk in each nearby county.