Riverside County Marriage Records

Riverside County marriage records are managed by the County Clerk-Recorder office, which operates multiple locations throughout the county. Couples can apply for marriage licenses at offices in Riverside, Hemet, Murrieta, and Palm Desert. The main office is at 2720 Gateway Drive in Riverside. The Clerk-Recorder maintains all marriage records for the county and issues certified copies of marriage certificates. Both parties must appear in person to apply for a marriage license, and California law requires no blood test or waiting period.

Riverside County Clerk-Recorder Offices

Riverside County has multiple Clerk-Recorder offices to serve residents across this large county. The main office is at 2720 Gateway Drive in Riverside. You can call (951) 486-7000 to reach staff with questions about marriage licenses and certificates. Additional offices in Hemet, Murrieta, and Palm Desert provide services closer to residents in those areas.

The office website at https://www.asrclkrec.com/ has information about all services. You can find details about office locations, hours, fees, and procedures. The website also has links to different services offered by the Clerk-Recorder, including marriage licenses and vital records.

Staff at all locations can help you with marriage license applications and requests for copies of marriage certificates. They follow California state law when issuing licenses and maintaining records. Each office location serves different parts of the county, so you can choose the office that is most convenient for you.

Note: Call ahead to confirm which services are available at each location and to check current hours of operation.

Applying for a Marriage License in Riverside County

Both parties must visit a Riverside County Clerk-Recorder office at the same time to apply for a marriage license. You cannot send someone else to apply for you. Each person needs a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The ID must show your date of birth and have an issue date and expiration date.

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. You must have your marriage ceremony within that 90-day period. After the ceremony, the person who performs the marriage must return the license to the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder office within 10 days.

If you were married before, be ready to tell staff when your last marriage ended and how it ended. Death, divorce, dissolution, and nullity are the usual ways a marriage ends. Staff may ask you to provide proof, so bringing a copy of your final divorce decree or your former spouse's death certificate can help. If you are not sure what to bring, call (951) 486-7000 before your visit.

Riverside County offers both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license becomes part of the public record, and anyone can request a copy later. A confidential license is kept private, and only the two people who got married can get 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.

Riverside County Marriage Services

The Riverside County Clerk-Recorder offers services through multiple locations to make it easier for residents to access marriage records. The county clerk services page on the website has details about what each office can do for you.

You can apply for a marriage license at any of the four office locations. All offices follow the same procedures and charge the same fees. The choice of location is up to you based on what is most convenient. Some offices may require appointments, so it is a good idea to call ahead or check the website before you visit.

The vital records page has information about requesting copies of marriage certificates and other vital records. You can learn what information you need to provide and what forms of payment are accepted. Some requests can be made by mail, while others require an in-person visit.

Getting Copies of Marriage Certificates

After your marriage ceremony takes place and the officiant returns the license to the county, Riverside County processes it and files it as a marriage certificate. You do not get a copy automatically. You must request one and pay for it. Each certified copy costs $19 as of January 1, 2026. This fee went up by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64, a statewide law that applies to all counties in California.

You can request a certified copy in person at any Riverside County Clerk-Recorder office. 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 about your relationship to the people on the certificate if you are requesting someone else's record.

For public marriage certificates, anyone can request a copy. For confidential marriage certificates, only the two people who got married can request copies. This is set by California law to protect the privacy of those who choose confidential licenses.

If you cannot visit in person, you may be able to request copies by mail. Contact the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder office at (951) 486-7000 to ask about mail requests. You will likely need to send a completed application form, a copy of your ID, and payment. Payment by check or money order is usually required for mail requests.

Riverside County Marriage Fees

The cost of a marriage license varies by county in California. You should call the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder office at (951) 486-7000 to ask about the current price for a public or confidential marriage license. Most counties charge between $60 and $100 for a license, though the exact amount depends on the county and the type of license you choose.

The fee 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 searches for a record and cannot find it, they will 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-Recorder offices accept cash, checks, and money orders. Some offices also accept credit or debit cards, but there may be an extra service charge for card payments. When paying by check or money order, make it payable to the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder or as instructed by staff.

California Marriage Requirements

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 described in California Family Code Section 420(b).

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 person who performs the marriage must be authorized to solemnize marriages in California. This includes judges, religious leaders, and certain other individuals listed in California Family Code Section 400. The officiant must sign the marriage license and return it to Riverside 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 marriage licenses do not require witnesses.

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. Amendment processing 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 Riverside 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.

State-Level 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 Riverside 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. The state office recommends going to the county where the marriage took place whenever possible because it is faster.

Riverside County Cities

Riverside County includes several cities with populations over 100,000. Residents of these cities get their marriage licenses and certificates from one of the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder offices.

• Riverside
• Moreno Valley
• Corona
• Murrieta
• Temecula
• Jurupa Valley

Nearby Counties

Riverside County is located in Southern California. If you need records from nearby areas, these counties are close to Riverside County.

• San Bernardino County - north of Riverside County
• Orange County - west of Riverside County
• San Diego County - south of Riverside County
• Imperial County - southeast of Riverside County