Santa Barbara County Marriage Records

Marriage records for Santa Barbara County are kept by the County Clerk-Recorder office located at 1100 Anacapa Street in downtown Santa Barbara. This office issues marriage licenses for couples who want to marry anywhere in California. The clerk-recorder also maintains vital records including certified copies of marriage certificates for all ceremonies performed in Santa Barbara County. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available through this office. The county follows all California state requirements for marriage procedures and record keeping. If you need information about amendments to public marriage certificates, those are processed by the California Department of Public Health. Confidential marriage record amendments for Santa Barbara County licenses are handled directly through the local clerk-recorder office at (805) 568-2550.

County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder office provides all marriage services for the county. The office is at 1100 Anacapa Street in Santa Barbara. Staff can help you apply for a marriage license, get certified copies of existing certificates, or answer questions about the marriage process in California.

Visit the Santa Barbara County Vital Records page for information on marriage certificates and other vital records. The county website also has details on fees and requirements. You can call (805) 568-2550 to speak with staff about your specific situation or to confirm office hours before you visit.

Applying for a Marriage License

Both parties must appear in person at the Santa Barbara County office. You cannot apply by mail or have someone apply for you. Bring valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Your ID must show your photo, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates.

California does not require a blood test for marriage. There is no waiting period. You can use your license immediately after it is issued. The license remains valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can marry anywhere in California during that time with either a public or confidential license.

If you were married before, be prepared to provide information about how and when that marriage ended. Know the exact date and whether it ended by death, divorce, dissolution, or annulment. Some situations may require you to bring a certified copy of your divorce decree or death certificate. Contact the Santa Barbara County office at (805) 568-2550 to confirm what documents you need before you visit.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

Santa Barbara County issues both types of marriage licenses. A public marriage license becomes part of the public record once registered. Anyone can request a certified copy. You must have at least one witness sign the license at your ceremony. A second witness is optional but allowed. Most couples in Santa Barbara County choose public licenses.

A confidential marriage license stays 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 release. Confidential marriage licenses are authorized by California Family Code sections 500 through 511.

Both license types are valid anywhere in California. You can marry in any county with a Santa Barbara County license. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to Santa Barbara County within 10 days. This requirement is set by California Family Code Part 1. The county will then register the marriage and create the official certificate.

Getting Marriage Certificate Copies

You can get copies of Santa Barbara County marriage certificates from the county or from the state. The county offers faster service for marriages that occurred in Santa Barbara County. Visit the clerk-recorder office in person or submit a request by mail. You need the names of both spouses and the approximate year of marriage.

The California Department of Public Health also maintains some Santa Barbara County marriage records. CDPH has public marriage certificates from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to the present. The state does not keep confidential marriage records. State processing averages 5 to 7 weeks. The state fee is $19 per certified copy as of January 2026.

For marriages in Santa Barbara County, the local clerk-recorder office is the primary source. They maintain the original records. County fees may differ from state fees. Check with the Santa Barbara County office for their current fee schedule. Call (805) 568-2550 or visit their website before you order. All fees are non-refundable even if no record is found.

Note: The county office does not have copies of divorce or dissolution records.

Amending Marriage Records

Public marriage certificate amendments are processed by the California Department of Public Health, not by Santa Barbara County. If you need to correct information on a public marriage certificate, contact CDPH. The state handles all amendments to birth, death, and public marriage certificates. Processing times average 9 to 11 weeks for complete amendment requests.

Confidential marriage records are different. If Santa Barbara County issued your confidential marriage license, you amend it through the county clerk-recorder office. Do not contact the state for confidential marriage amendments. Call the Santa Barbara County office at (805) 568-2550 for information on how to amend a confidential marriage certificate issued in the county.

Amendments within the first year after marriage are free but you must pay for certified copies of the amended certificate. After one year, the state charges $26 for the amendment plus $19 for each certified copy under Assembly Bill 64. County fees for confidential marriage amendments may vary. Check with the Santa Barbara County office for their current fee schedule.

Marriage Record Fees

Santa Barbara 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 and local administrative costs.

Certified copy fees for marriage certificates follow state guidelines. The California Department of Public Health increased vital record fees effective January 1, 2026. The new fee is $19 per certified copy, up from $17. This increase came from Assembly Bill 64. County fees may match or differ from the state rate. Contact the Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder office to confirm current fees before you order.

Make checks or money orders payable to Santa Barbara County Clerk-Recorder. Payment must be drawn on a U.S. bank. If a record cannot be located, you may receive a Certificate of No Public Record. The search fee is retained even if no record exists. All fees are final and non-refundable.

Cities in Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County includes several cities along the central California coast. The city of Santa Maria has a population over 100,000. All residents of Santa Barbara County cities obtain marriage licenses and certificates through the county clerk-recorder office in Santa Barbara. No separate city offices issue marriage licenses in the county.

Nearby California Counties

Santa Barbara County is located on the central California coast. If your marriage occurred in a neighboring county, you must contact that county's clerk office. Adjacent counties include:

• San Luis Obispo County to the north
• Ventura County to the south
• Kern County to the northeast

Each county maintains its own marriage records. You must request copies from the county where the license was issued.