Find San Luis Obispo County Marriage Records

Marriage licenses and certificates for San Luis Obispo County are issued and maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder office located at 1144 Monterey Street, Suite A in downtown San Luis Obispo. This office processes all marriage license applications for couples who want to marry anywhere in California. The clerk-recorder also keeps certified copies of all marriage certificates for marriages performed in San Luis Obispo County. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available. Staff can help you apply for a new license or get copies of existing marriage records. The office follows California state law and Family Code Part 1 requirements for all marriage procedures and record keeping in the county.

County Clerk-Recorder Office

The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder office serves as the primary resource for marriage services in the county. You will find the office at 1144 Monterey Street, Suite A. The office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Wednesday hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The last transactions are accepted 30 minutes before closing time each day.

Visit the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder website for current fee information and detailed service descriptions. You can also view their marriage license page for specific requirements and application steps. Call (805) 781-5080 if you have questions about your situation or need to confirm office hours before you visit.

Applying for a Marriage License

Both parties must come to the San Luis Obispo County office in person. You cannot apply by mail. No one can apply for you. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license, passport, state ID, or military ID. The office may also ask for your birth certificate though this varies by situation.

If you were married before, know when and how that marriage ended. If your previous marriage ended within 90 days, bring a certified copy of the dissolution paperwork from the Superior Court. The clerk-recorder staff needs to verify that your previous marriage legally ended before they can issue a new license. This requirement protects both you and the county under California marriage law.

The office recommends you arrive with a completed application at least one hour before closing time. This ensures they have enough time to process your license the same day. You can use your license right away once issued. There is no waiting period in California. Your license stays valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can marry anywhere in California during that 90-day period with either a public or confidential license.

Marriage Ceremonies in San Luis Obispo County

You can have any authorized person perform your ceremony. California law allows priests, rabbis, ministers, and other clergy to officiate. You can also choose a civil ceremony. The San Luis Obispo County office offers civil ceremonies by appointment only. Call ahead to schedule if you want the county to perform your ceremony.

Another option is to have someone appointed as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a day. This person can be a friend or family member. The county can give them temporary authority to perform your ceremony in San Luis Obispo County. Contact the clerk-recorder office for details on this process and any associated fees.

After your ceremony, the person who married you must return the signed license to the Clerk Recorder's Office within 10 days. This requirement comes from Family Code Section 359(e). The clerk-recorder office will register your marriage license within two business days from the date they receive it. Once registered, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

San Luis Obispo County issues both types of licenses. Public marriage licenses become part of the public record. Anyone can request copies. You need at least one witness to sign the license at your ceremony. A second witness is optional. Most couples in San Luis Obispo County choose public licenses.

Confidential marriage licenses stay private forever under California law. Both parties must be 18 or older. You must already be living together as spouses when you apply. No witnesses are required for a confidential marriage ceremony. Only the married couple can obtain copies unless a court orders otherwise. These records are governed by California Family Code sections 500 through 511.

The ceremony can take place anywhere in California with either license type. Your San Luis Obispo County license is valid statewide. The county clerk-recorder maintains confidential marriage certificates. The county recorder serves as local registrar for public marriage certificates. Both offices work together in San Luis Obispo County to provide complete marriage services.

Obtaining Marriage Certificate Copies

You can get marriage certificate copies from San Luis Obispo County or from the state. The county offers faster service. Visit the clerk-recorder office in person for same-day copies in most cases. You need the names of both spouses and the approximate year of marriage.

The state also has some San Luis Obispo County marriage records. The California Department of Public Health keeps public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. CDPH does not maintain confidential marriage records at all. State processing takes 5 to 7 weeks on average. The state fee is $19 per certified copy as of January 2026.

For marriages in San Luis Obispo County, contact the local clerk-recorder office first. They maintain the original records. County fees can be found on the fee schedule available at their office or website. Check current fees before you order. All fees are non-refundable even if the record cannot be found.

Note: Many counties in California provide faster service than the state office for vital records requests.

Marriage Fees in San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County charges fees for marriage licenses and certified copies. License fees vary based on whether you choose a public or confidential license. The county sets these fees according to California state law.

Certified copy fees follow state guidelines. The California Department of Public Health increased vital record fees effective January 1, 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. The new fee is $19 per certified copy, up from $17. This increase applies to state-issued certificates. County fees may match or differ from the state rate.

Visit the San Luis Obispo County fee schedule page or call (805) 781-5080 to confirm all current fees. The county accepts checks and money orders. Make payment payable to San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder. All payments must be drawn on a U.S. bank. Cash may be accepted in person but call to confirm.

Nearby California Counties

San Luis Obispo County shares borders with several California counties. If your marriage occurred in a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk-recorder office. Adjacent counties include:

• Monterey County to the north
• Kings County to the northeast
• Kern County to the east
• Santa Barbara County to the south

Each county maintains its own marriage records. You must contact the county where the marriage license was issued to get copies of the certificate.