Nevada County Marriage Records

Nevada County marriage records are maintained by the Clerk-Recorder office in Nevada City. Couples who want to marry in Nevada County must visit this office to get a marriage license. The office also issues certified copies of marriage certificates for marriages that took place in the county. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available in Nevada County. California law requires both parties to appear in person when applying for a marriage license.

Nevada County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Clerk-Recorder office in Nevada City handles all marriage licenses and certificates for Nevada County. This office is located at 950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 210, Nevada City, CA 95959. You can reach staff by phone at (530) 265-1221 during regular business hours. The office follows state law when it comes to marriage licenses and keeps all marriage records on file.

Both parties must visit the office at the same time to apply for a license. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. If you were married before, be ready to tell staff when your last marriage ended and how it ended. Some counties ask for more documents, so call ahead if you are not sure what to bring. You do not need to be a California resident to get a license in Nevada County.

The clerk staff can also help you get copies of marriage certificates from past marriages in the county. You need to fill out a request form and pay a fee for each copy. The office website at https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/592/Clerk-Recorder may have forms and other details, though some services may require an in-person visit.

Applying for a Marriage License in Nevada County

When you apply for a marriage license in Nevada County, both people must be there. One person cannot apply alone. Each person needs a valid photo ID with a date of birth and an issue date. Driver's licenses, state ID cards, passports, and military IDs all work. If you have been married before, know the date your last marriage ended and how it ended. Death, divorce, dissolution, or nullity are the usual reasons.

There is no blood test required in California. You do not need to wait to use your license after you get it. The license is good for 90 days from the date it is issued, so you must have your ceremony within that time. After the ceremony, the person who performs the marriage must return the license to the Nevada County Clerk-Recorder office within 10 days. This is a legal requirement in California.

Nevada County offers two types of licenses. A public marriage license becomes part of the public record. Anyone can request a copy later. A confidential marriage license is kept private. Only the couple can get copies of a confidential license. Couples who choose a confidential license must state that they are living together as spouses at the time they apply. The choice is yours, and staff can explain the differences when you visit.

If you make a mistake on the license or if information needs to change, do not cross out or white-out anything. The license must stay clear and readable. If there is an error, you may need to pay for a new license. Always double-check your information before you sign.

Getting Copies of Marriage Certificates

After your marriage ceremony takes place and the officiant returns the license, the county processes it and files it as a marriage certificate. You do not get a copy automatically. You must ask for one and pay for it. Each certified copy costs $19 as of January 1, 2026. This fee went up by $2 due to a statewide change under Assembly Bill 64.

The state law that covers this fee increase applies to all counties in California. Nevada County announced the change in a press release stating that certified copies of vital records would increase by $2 per certificate starting in 2026. This fee covers the cost of locating the record, making the copy, and certifying it with an official seal.

You can request a copy in person at the Clerk-Recorder office in Nevada City. Bring your ID and be ready to provide details like the date of the marriage and the names of both parties. If you need copies by mail, contact the office to ask about the process. Some offices accept mail requests with a check or money order, but policies vary.

If you need a copy fast, the county office is usually quicker than the state office. The California Department of Public Health also keeps marriage records, but processing can take 5 to 7 weeks or more. Going through Nevada County directly can save you time if your record is on file there.

Nevada County Marriage Record Fees

Fees for marriage licenses vary by county in California. You should call the Nevada County Clerk-Recorder office at (530) 265-1221 to ask about the current cost of a public or confidential marriage license. Fees typically range from around $60 to over $100 depending on the county and the type of license.

The cost for a certified copy of a marriage certificate is $19 per copy. This is the state-mandated fee as of January 1, 2026. If the office cannot locate a record based on your request, they may issue a Certificate of No Public Record. The search fee is not refunded even if no record is found. This policy exists because staff still spend time searching for the record.

Payment methods vary by office. Most clerk offices accept cash, checks, and money orders. Some offices also accept credit or debit cards, but there may be an extra service charge. When paying by check or money order, make it payable to the Nevada County Clerk-Recorder or as instructed by the office.

Legal Requirements for Marriage in Nevada County

You must be at least 18 years old to marry in California without parental consent. Both parties must be unmarried at the time they apply for a license. Marriage by proxy is not allowed in California except in very limited military situations as described in California Family Code Section 420(b). This applies only to members of the Armed Forces who are stationed overseas and serving in a war or conflict.

California law requires that both parties, the officiant, and any witnesses be physically present together in the same location for the marriage ceremony. This is stated in California Family Code Section 420(a). Remote or online ceremonies are not valid under California law unless they fall under the narrow military exception.

The officiant who performs the ceremony must be authorized to solemnize marriages in California. This includes judges, religious leaders, and certain other individuals listed in California Family Code Section 400. Out-of-state ministers can perform marriages in California if they meet the requirements. The officiant must sign the marriage license and return it to Nevada County within 10 days of the ceremony.

Witnesses are required for public marriage licenses. One witness is mandatory, and there is space for a second witness if you choose. Only two witnesses may sign a public license. Confidential marriage licenses do not require witnesses. No one under any circumstances should sign a license as a witness unless they personally saw the ceremony take place.

Amending Marriage Records

If you need to change information on your marriage certificate after it is filed, you can request an amendment. The process depends on how long ago the marriage took place. For amendments within one year of the marriage, there is no fee for the amendment itself, but you still pay $19 for each certified copy of the amended certificate.

For amendments after one year, the fee is $26. This includes one certified copy of the amended certificate. Extra copies cost $19 each. The amendment process can take time. The California Department of Public Health notes that amendment requests typically take 9 to 11 weeks to process at the state level. County processing times may differ.

To start an amendment, contact the Nevada County Clerk-Recorder office or the California Department of Public Health. You will need to provide documentation that supports the change you are requesting. Common reasons for amendments include correcting spelling errors, updating names, or fixing other inaccuracies. Not all changes can be made through an amendment, so ask staff what is allowed under California law.

California State Marriage Record Resources

The California Department of Public Health Vital Records office in Sacramento keeps copies of all marriage records for the state. If you cannot get a record from Nevada County, you can try the state office. The state office charges the same $19 fee for certified copies.

Processing at the state level is slower. The average time is 5 to 7 weeks, and it can be longer if there are problems with your request. If your request is incomplete, processing may take even more time. The state office recommends going to the county where the marriage took place whenever possible because it is faster.

The state website has a fees page that lists all charges for vital records. It also explains that fees are non-refundable even if a record cannot be found. You can find forms and instructions on the state site as well. The marriage license general information page has helpful answers to common questions about requirements and procedures.

Nearby Counties

Nevada County is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills. If you are looking for records in nearby areas, the following counties are close to Nevada County.

• Placer County - south of Nevada County
• Yuba County - west of Nevada County
• Sierra County - north of Nevada County
• Plumas County - northeast of Nevada County