Orange County Marriage Certificates
Marriage records in Orange County are handled by the County Clerk-Recorder office in Santa Ana. This office issues marriage licenses to couples planning to marry anywhere in California. Orange County processes thousands of marriage licenses each year and maintains records for all marriages that took place in the county. You can apply for a marriage license through both walk-in service and by appointment. All applicants must complete an online marriage application before visiting any Orange County office. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.
Orange County Quick Facts
Orange County Clerk-Recorder Office
The Orange County Clerk-Recorder office maintains two main locations in Santa Ana. The primary office is at 601 North Ross Street, and the Old County Courthouse is at 211 West Santa Ana Boulevard. Both offices serve the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can reach staff by phone at (714) 834-2500 for questions about marriage licenses and certificates.
Orange County offers online marriage applications. All customers must fill out the application online before they visit the office. This speeds up the process when you arrive. Appointments are highly recommended and can be scheduled through the county website. Walk-in service is still available, but appointment holders get priority.
The Orange County Clerk-Recorder website has details about all services. You can find forms, fee schedules, and instructions for different types of requests. The site also has information about office locations and hours. Many people use the website to start their marriage license application before they visit in person.
| Main Office | 601 North Ross Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
|---|---|
| Old Courthouse | 211 West Santa Ana Blvd Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
| Phone | (714) 834-2500 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Website | www.ocrecorder.com |
How to Apply for a Marriage License
Both parties must appear in person to apply for a marriage license in Orange County. One person cannot pick up a license for both people. Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID will work. The ID must show your date of birth and have an issue date and expiration date.
Start by completing the online application at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder website. This application stays on file for a certain period, so you should complete it shortly before your visit. After you submit the online form, you can schedule an appointment or plan a walk-in visit. Bring your confirmation number if you scheduled an appointment.
The marriage services page on the county website explains the process step by step. You will find information about what to bring, how long the visit takes, and what happens after you get your license. There are no citizenship or residency requirements. You do not need a blood test. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
If you were married before, be ready to tell staff when your last marriage ended and how it ended. Death, divorce, dissolution, or nullity are the usual ways a marriage ends. Some counties ask for proof, so you may want to bring a copy of your divorce decree or death certificate if you have one. Call the office at (714) 834-2500 if you have questions about what documents to bring.
Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses
Orange County issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license becomes part of the public record. Anyone can request a copy of a public marriage certificate later. This is the most common type of license. It requires one witness to sign at the ceremony, and there is space for a second witness if you want.
A confidential license is kept private. Only the two people who got married can request copies. To get a confidential license, you must state that you are living together as spouses at the time you apply. This requirement is in California law. Confidential licenses do not require witnesses at the ceremony.
Both types of licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You must have your marriage ceremony within that time frame. After the ceremony, the person who performs the marriage must return the license to Orange County within 10 days. This is required by law. The county then processes the license and files it as a marriage certificate.
Orange County Marriage License and Certificate Fees
The fee for a marriage license in Orange County varies depending on the type of license you choose. Public and confidential licenses have different costs. You should check the fee schedule on the county website or call (714) 834-2500 to get the current price. Most counties in California charge between $60 and $100 for a marriage license.
Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $19 each as of January 1, 2026. This fee increased by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64, a statewide law that raised fees for all vital records. The fee applies whether you get the copy in person, by mail, or through an authorized service. If the office cannot find a record based on your request, they issue a Certificate of No Public Record and keep the search fee.
Payment methods include cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. Some offices charge an extra service fee for card payments. When paying by check or money order, make it payable to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder. Do not send cash by mail. If you request copies by mail, include payment with your application.
Getting Copies of Marriage Certificates
After your marriage takes place and the officiant returns the license to Orange County, the office files it as a marriage certificate. You do not automatically get a copy. You must request one and pay the $19 fee. Copies are usually available a week or two after the license is filed, though processing times can vary.
You can request a certified copy in person at either Orange County office in Santa Ana. Bring your photo ID and be ready to provide details like the date of the marriage and the names of both parties. The office may ask for your relationship to the parties if you are requesting someone else's record.
The vital records page has information about requesting different types of certificates. You can find out what information you need to provide and how long it takes to get a copy. Some people choose to request copies by mail if they cannot visit in person. The website has instructions for mail requests.
If you need multiple copies, order them all at the same time. Each copy costs $19, so if you need three copies, the total is $57. It is faster and easier to get all the copies you need in one visit or one mail request. Keep in mind that certified copies have an official seal and are accepted by government agencies and courts. Informational copies do not have the same legal weight.
California Marriage Law Requirements
California law sets the rules for who can marry and how marriages take place. You must be at least 18 years old. Both parties must be unmarried at the time they apply for a license. Marriage by proxy is not allowed except in very limited military situations under California Family Code Section 420(b).
The marriage ceremony must take place with both parties, the officiant, and any required witnesses physically present in the same location. This is stated in California Family Code Section 420(a). Remote or virtual ceremonies do not meet California's legal requirements except in the narrow military exception.
The person who performs the marriage must be authorized under California law. Judges, religious leaders, and certain other individuals listed in California Family Code Section 400 can solemnize marriages. Out-of-state ministers can perform marriages in California if they meet the requirements. The officiant must sign the license and return it to Orange County within 10 days of the ceremony.
Witnesses are required for public marriage licenses. At least one witness must sign the license, and there is space for a second witness. No more than two witnesses may sign a public license. Confidential licenses do not require witnesses. Witnesses must be old enough to understand that they are witnessing a marriage and must be able to sign their names.
Correcting Marriage Certificate Information
If there is a mistake on your marriage certificate, you can request an amendment. The process and fee depend on how long ago the marriage took place. For amendments within one year of the marriage, there is no fee for filing the amendment, but you 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 are $19 each. Common reasons for amendments include correcting spelling errors, updating names, or fixing other inaccuracies. Not all changes can be made through an amendment, so check with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder office or the California Department of Public Health.
Amendment requests take time to process. At the state level, the average time is 9 to 11 weeks. County processing times may differ. You will need to provide documentation that supports the change you are requesting. Contact the Orange County office at (714) 834-2500 or visit the forms page on the county website to get the right paperwork.
Orange County Cities
Orange County includes many cities with populations over 100,000. Residents of these cities get their marriage licenses and certificates from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder office in Santa Ana.
Nearby Counties
Orange County is located in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego counties. If you need records from nearby areas, these counties are close to Orange County.
- Los Angeles County - north of Orange County
- San Diego County - south of Orange County
- Riverside County - east of Orange County
- San Bernardino County - northeast of Orange County