Marin County Marriage Certificates

Marin County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk office at the Civic Center in San Rafael. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are issued at this location. Couples can apply for a license in person and obtain certified copies of marriage certificates from the same office. The County Clerk serves all residents and non-residents who wish to marry in Marin County. California law does not require residency to obtain a marriage license. Marriage records date back many decades and staff can help locate historic certificates as well as current documents for those who married recently in this Bay Area county.

County Clerk Office in Marin

The Marin County Clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. The office is located in Room 232 at the Civic Center in San Rafael. Staff provide in-person service for license applications and certificate requests. You can also submit requests by mail or check the county website for online options. Phone inquiries are handled during business hours at the main number. Marin County uses the same vital records system as other California counties.

Visit the Marin County Clerk website for forms, fees, and contact information. The Clerk division is part of the larger Assessor-Recorder office. Both offices are in the same building at the Civic Center. If you need property records as well as marriage records, you can handle both requests at the same location in Marin County.

Applying for a Marriage License

Both parties must appear in person at the County Clerk office to apply for a marriage license in Marin County. Bring valid photo identification. A California driver license, passport, state ID, or military ID will work. The ID must show your birth date and a photo. Staff will verify your identity and ask for basic information about each party.

California does not require a blood test. There is no waiting period. You can use your license the same day it is issued. The license is valid for 90 days from issuance. You can marry anywhere in California once you have your license. If you were married before, be ready to state when and how that marriage ended. Bring your divorce decree or death certificate if the previous marriage ended within the past few years in Marin County.

Choose between a public or confidential marriage license. Public licenses cost slightly more and require at least one witness at the ceremony. These records become public once filed. Anyone can search for them and request copies. Confidential licenses are private. Only the married parties can get copies. No witnesses are needed. Both types are equally valid under California law in Marin County.

The marriage license fee varies but is typically in the range of other Bay Area counties. Call ahead or check the website to confirm the current cost. Payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. Some offices charge a convenience fee for card transactions in Marin County.

After Your Wedding

Your officiant must return the completed marriage license to the County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. This is required under California Family Code section 359. The officiant fills in the ceremony date, location, and their credentials. For public marriages, the witness or witnesses sign the license. The officiant then mails or delivers the license to the Marin County Clerk for recording.

Once recorded, your marriage is official. The county will not send you a copy automatically. You must request and pay for certified copies if you need them. Most people order copies for name changes, Social Security updates, or benefit applications. The Clerk office issues copies of both public and confidential marriage certificates in Marin County.

Do not make any marks or changes to your marriage license after it is issued. Do not cross out text, use correction fluid, or alter any information. All entries must be legible and clear. Any alterations void the license. You would need to pay for a new license if this happens in Marin County.

Getting Certified Marriage Certificates

Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 as of January 2026. This fee increased by $2 under Assembly Bill 64 which took effect statewide. The fee applies whether you order in person, by mail, or online if available. Additional copies ordered at the same time may be available at a lower per-copy rate in Marin County.

In-person service is the fastest option. Visit Room 232 at the Civic Center during business hours. Bring photo ID that shows your name or 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 require extra time if they are stored off site in Marin County.

Mail requests take longer. Download a vital records application form from the Marin County website or request one by phone. Fill out the form and include payment. Make checks or money orders payable to Marin County Clerk. Mail your completed request to the address listed on the form. Processing time is typically one to two weeks plus mailing time in Marin County.

Some counties in California offer online ordering through VitalChek or their own portal. Check the Marin County website or call the Clerk office to see if online ordering is available. Online service often includes expedited shipping options for faster delivery. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the certificate cost in Marin County.

Who Can Request Marriage Records

California law restricts who can obtain certified copies of vital records. Under California Health and Safety Code section 103526, only authorized persons can request unrestricted use copies. This law prevents identity theft. Authorized persons include the married parties, immediate family members, and people with a legal interest in Marin County.

Authorized copies can be used for official purposes. You can use them to change your name, update government records, or prove your marital status. Immediate family includes parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings. Attorneys, estate representatives, and certain government officials can also request authorized copies if they have a legal need in Marin County.

Informational copies are available to anyone. These are marked for informational purposes only and cannot be used to establish identity. Historical researchers, genealogists, and others who need marriage information for non-legal purposes can request informational copies. The fee is the same as authorized copies. You just do not need to prove your relationship when ordering in Marin County.

California Marriage Requirements

California marriage law is set out in the California Family Code Part 1. Both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry. No person can marry if they are already married to someone else. Proxy marriages are not allowed except for members of the Armed Forces stationed overseas in conflict or war zones under special provisions in Marin County.

The marriage must be solemnized by an authorized officiant. Clergy, judges, and other officials listed in Family Code section 400 can perform marriages. Out-of-state ministers can perform ceremonies in California if they meet the requirements. The ceremony must take place with all parties physically present except in the military proxy exception case in Marin County.

Under California Family Code section 306.5, either spouse can change their middle or last name through marriage. No separate court petition is needed. The marriage certificate serves as legal proof of the name change. You can use it to update your driver license, Social Security card, and other documents in Marin County.

Communities in Marin County

Marin County includes San Rafael, Novato, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Mill Valley, Sausalito, and other cities and towns. All of these communities use the County Clerk at the Civic Center in San Rafael for marriage licenses and certificates. The county seat location is accessible from most parts of Marin County.

None of the cities in Marin County have separate marriage record offices. All marriage services are centralized at the County Clerk in San Rafael. This applies to residents of every city and unincorporated area in Marin County.

Nearby Counties

Marin County is in the North Bay region. It borders several other California counties. If you are not sure which county issued your marriage license, check where the ceremony took place or contact the county clerk in each nearby jurisdiction.