San Bernardino County Marriage Records and Licenses
San Bernardino County marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder office in San Bernardino. The office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor. You can reach staff at (909) 387-8306 with questions about marriage licenses and certificates. San Bernardino County only has records of marriage licenses that were purchased in San Bernardino County. If you got your license in a different county, you need to contact that county for your records. Appointments are strongly encouraged and prioritized at the Clerk-Recorder office.
San Bernardino County Quick Facts
San Bernardino County Clerk-Recorder Office
The County Clerk-Recorder office in San Bernardino handles all marriage licenses and certificates for the county. The office is at 222 West Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022. Call (909) 387-8306 during regular business hours to ask about requirements, fees, and procedures.
Appointments are strongly encouraged and prioritized. This means if you have an appointment, you will be served before walk-in customers. The office offers an online application for marriage licenses. When you complete the online application, you get an order number. You can use this order number to book an appointment.
The office website at https://arc.sbcounty.gov/ has information about all services. You can find details about marriage licenses, vital records, fees, and forms. The website also has links to online applications and appointment booking.
| Address | 222 West Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (909) 387-8306 |
| Website | arc.sbcounty.gov |
Applying for a Marriage License
Start by completing the online application on the San Bernardino County website. The application asks for basic information about both parties. After you submit it, you get an order number. Use this number to book an appointment for your in-person visit. Appointments are strongly encouraged and prioritized.
The marriage license page on the county website has step-by-step instructions. You can learn what to bring, how to book an appointment, and what happens during your visit.
Both parties must appear in person at the same time to pick up the license. Bring 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. If you were married before, be ready to tell staff when your last marriage ended and how it ended.
There is no blood test required in California. There is no waiting period. 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 San Bernardino County within 10 days.
Obtaining Marriage Certificates
Copies of marriage certificates may be purchased about two weeks after the original marriage license is received and recorded in the Recorder-County Clerk's office. This means you cannot get a copy right away. You need to wait for the county to process the license and file it as a certificate.
Each certified copy costs $19 as of 2026. This fee went up by $2 due to Assembly Bill 64, a statewide law that applies to all counties in California. Only the parties to the marriage may be provided a certified copy of a confidential marriage record. For public records, anyone can request a copy.
The vital records page on the county website 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.
If requesting a certified copy, you must appear before a notary public and get your application notarized. This is a requirement for certified copies in San Bernardino County. Informational copies do not require a notary acknowledgment. Informational copies are not accepted by government agencies and courts, but they can be used for personal reference.
VitalChek Online Ordering
San Bernardino County offers online ordering through VitalChek. This is a third-party service that processes vital record requests. When you use VitalChek, you pay additional service fees on top of the certificate fee. Processing time is 3 to 4 weeks when you use VitalChek.
VitalChek is convenient if you cannot visit the office in person and do not want to mail a request. You fill out the application online, pay by credit or debit card, and receive your certificate by mail. The service fees vary depending on how fast you want the certificate and what delivery method you choose.
If you want to avoid the extra fees, you can visit the office in person or mail a request directly to the San Bernardino County Clerk-Recorder office. In-person visits are usually fastest if you need a certificate quickly. Mail requests take longer but do not have the VitalChek service fees.
San Bernardino County Marriage Fees
The cost of a marriage license varies by county in California. You should call the San Bernardino County Clerk-Recorder office at (909) 387-8306 or check the fee schedule on the county website to get the current price for a public or confidential marriage license.
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.
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 San Bernardino County Clerk-Recorder or as instructed by staff.
California Marriage Law Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old to marry in California. 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 San Bernardino County within 10 days of the ceremony.
Correcting Marriage Certificate Information
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.
To start an amendment, contact the San Bernardino County Clerk-Recorder office or the California Department of Public Health. You will need to provide documentation that supports the change you are requesting.
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 San Bernardino County, you can try the state office. The state office charges the same $19 fee for certified copies.
Processing at the state level takes longer. The average time is 5 to 7 weeks. The state office recommends going to the county where the marriage took place whenever possible because it is faster.
San Bernardino County Cities
San Bernardino County includes several cities with populations over 100,000. Residents of these cities get their marriage licenses and certificates from the County Clerk-Recorder office in San Bernardino.
Nearby Counties
San Bernardino County is located in Southern California. If you need records from nearby areas, these counties are close to San Bernardino County.
- Riverside County - south of San Bernardino County
- Los Angeles County - west of San Bernardino County
- Orange County - southwest of San Bernardino County
- Kern County - northwest of San Bernardino County