Access San Mateo County Marriage Records

San Mateo County marriage records are handled by the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Elections office, also known as ACRE. The office is at 40 Tower Road in San Mateo and serves the entire county for all marriage license applications and certificate requests. You can get both public and confidential marriage licenses here. The ACRE office maintains all original marriage certificates for ceremonies performed in San Mateo County. Staff help with license applications, perform civil marriage ceremonies, and process requests for certified copies of existing marriage records. The office follows all California state marriage laws and provides detailed information on their website at smcacre.gov. Whether you need a new license or a copy of an old record, this is the office to contact for all San Mateo County marriage services.

San Mateo County ACRE Office

The Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Elections office combines several county functions under one department. For marriage services, the County Clerk-Recorder division handles all applications and records. The office sits at 40 Tower Road in the city of San Mateo. This is the only location in the county where you can apply for a marriage license in person.

Call (650) 363-4712 to reach the office. Staff can answer questions about fees, requirements, and processing times. The ACRE website has detailed information on marriage services. You can review the marriage fees page and learn about the difference between confidential and public marriage licenses before you visit.

Getting a Marriage License

Both parties must appear together in person at the ACRE office. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Your ID must show your photo, birth date, and issue and expiration dates. Some situations may require a birth certificate as well. Check with the office if you are unsure what to bring.

California does not require blood tests for marriage. There is no waiting period. You can use your license the same day it is issued. The license stays valid for 90 days. You can marry anywhere in California during that time. After the ceremony, the person who performed the marriage must return the signed license to San Mateo County within 10 days as required by California Family Code Part 1.

If you were married before, you need to know when and how it ended. Be prepared to state the exact date and whether it ended by death, divorce, dissolution, or annulment. Some counties require proof such as a divorce decree or death certificate. Call the San Mateo County ACRE office at (650) 363-4712 to confirm what documents you need based on your situation before you visit.

Public vs Confidential Licenses

San Mateo County offers two license types. A public marriage license becomes a public record after registration. Anyone can request a copy. You need at least one witness to sign the license at your ceremony. You may have a second witness if you wish. Most couples choose public licenses. The public license fee is $79 in San Mateo County.

A confidential marriage license stays private. Only the married couple can get copies unless a court orders otherwise. Both parties must be 18 or older. You must already be living together as married partners when you apply. No witnesses are needed for the ceremony. Confidential licenses are governed by California Family Code sections 500 to 511. The confidential license fee in San Mateo County is $80.

Both license types are valid anywhere in California. You can marry in any county with a license from San Mateo County. The ceremony location does not matter. What matters is where the license was issued. San Mateo County will register the marriage when the signed license is returned.

Marriage Ceremonies in San Mateo County

You can choose any authorized person to perform your ceremony. Priests, rabbis, ministers, and other religious officials can officiate. Judges and certain other public officials also have authority under California law. The San Mateo County ACRE office offers civil marriage ceremonies as well. The standard ceremony fee is $65. Call ahead to schedule a civil ceremony appointment at (650) 363-4712.

You can also arrange for a deputy marriage commissioner for a day. This lets a friend or family member perform your ceremony. The San Mateo County office can appoint someone temporarily for this purpose. Ask about fees and procedures when you apply for your license. This option is popular for couples who want a personal ceremony without hiring outside officiant services.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the ACRE office. The county registers the marriage and creates the official certificate. You can then order certified copies. Most couples order at least one copy for their records. Additional copies cost extra based on the county fee schedule.

How to Get Marriage Certificates

You can request marriage certificate copies from San Mateo County or from the state. The county is faster for records they maintain. Visit the ACRE office in person for same-day service in most cases. You need the names of both spouses and the approximate marriage date.

The California Department of Public Health also maintains some San Mateo County marriage records. CDPH has public marriage certificates from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to present. The state does not keep confidential marriage records. State processing takes 5 to 7 weeks on average. The state fee increased to $19 per certified copy as of January 1, 2026.

For faster service, contact San Mateo County directly. The ACRE office has all original records for marriages that occurred in the county. County fees may differ from state fees. Check the current fee schedule on the San Mateo County marriage fees page before you order. All fees are non-refundable even if the record is not found.

Marriage Fees in San Mateo County

San Mateo County sets specific fees for marriage services. The public marriage license costs $79. The confidential marriage license costs $80. A duplicate or replacement license is $5.00. The standard civil ceremony performed by the county costs $65. These fees are current as of 2026 but may change. Always verify fees before you visit or submit payment.

Certified copy fees for marriage certificates follow county guidelines. The state fee is $19 as of January 2026 due to Assembly Bill 64. San Mateo County fees for copies may match or differ from the state rate. Contact the ACRE office at (650) 363-4712 to confirm current copy fees.

Make checks or money orders payable to San Mateo County ACRE. All payments must be drawn on a U.S. bank. Cash may be accepted in person but call ahead to verify. If a record cannot be located, the search fee is retained and you may receive a Certificate of No Public Record. All fees are final once submitted.

Cities in San Mateo County

San Mateo County includes numerous cities along the San Francisco Peninsula. Several have populations over 100,000. These include Daly City, San Mateo, and Redwood City. All residents obtain marriage licenses through the county ACRE office regardless of which city they live in. No city offices issue marriage licenses in San Mateo County.

Nearby California Counties

San Mateo County is located on the San Francisco Peninsula. It borders several other Bay Area counties. If your marriage occurred in a different county, you must contact that county's clerk office. Neighboring counties include:

• San Francisco County to the north
• Santa Clara County to the south
• Alameda County to the east
• Santa Cruz County to the southwest