Santa Cruz County Marriage Records

Marriage licenses and certificates for Santa Cruz County are maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder office located at 701 Ocean Street, Room 210 in the city of Santa Cruz. This office serves the entire county for all marriage-related services including issuing new licenses and providing certified copies of existing marriage records. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available to couples who want to marry anywhere in California. The county clerk-recorder follows all requirements set by California state law for marriage procedures and record keeping. You can contact the office at (831) 454-2800 to ask questions about fees, requirements, or office hours before you visit. The county also maintains detailed information on their website at co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Departments/CountyClerk.aspx for residents and couples planning to get married in Santa Cruz County.

County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Santa Cruz County Clerk-Recorder office is at 701 Ocean Street in Room 210. This is the main county office for marriage services in Santa Cruz County. Staff can help you apply for a marriage license, answer questions about the application process, and provide certified copies of existing marriage certificates.

Visit the Santa Cruz County Clerk website for information on services and requirements. You can also call (831) 454-2800 to speak with staff about your specific situation. The office can tell you what documents to bring, confirm current fees, and answer other questions before you visit in person.

Applying for a Marriage License

Both parties must appear together in person at the Santa Cruz County Clerk office. You cannot apply by mail. No one can apply on your behalf. Bring valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Your ID must show your photograph, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates.

California does not require a blood test for marriage. This requirement was eliminated many years ago. There is no waiting period in the state. 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 90-day period with either a public or confidential license.

If you were married before, be ready to provide details 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 documentation such as a divorce decree or death certificate. Contact the Santa Cruz County office at (831) 454-2800 to confirm what documents you need based on your circumstances before you make the trip.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

Santa Cruz County offers both types of marriage licenses. A public marriage license becomes part of the public record once the county registers it. Anyone can request a certified copy of a public marriage certificate. You must have at least one witness sign the license at your ceremony. A second witness is optional. Most couples in California choose public licenses.

A confidential marriage license stays private forever. Both parties must be 18 years old or older. Minors cannot use confidential licenses. 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 follow California Family Code sections 500 through 511.

Both license types work anywhere in California. You can marry in any county with a license from Santa Cruz County. After the ceremony, the person who performed the marriage must return the signed license to Santa Cruz County within 10 days. This timeline is set by California Family Code Part 1. The county will then register the marriage and create the official certificate.

Marriage Ceremonies in Santa Cruz County

You can have any authorized person perform your ceremony. California law allows many types of officials to solemnize marriages. Religious officials such as priests, ministers, and rabbis can officiate. Judges and certain other government officials also have authority. The Santa Cruz County office can provide information on who is authorized to perform marriages under state law.

Some couples choose civil ceremonies. Contact the Santa Cruz County Clerk office to ask about civil ceremony options. Staff can tell you if they offer this service and what the process involves. You may also be able to arrange for a deputy marriage commissioner for a day. This allows a friend or family member to perform your ceremony with temporary authority from the county.

After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license. They must return it to the Santa Cruz County Clerk within 10 days. The county registers the marriage and creates the official record. You can then request certified copies of your marriage certificate. Most people order at least one copy for legal purposes and personal records.

Getting Marriage Certificate Copies

You can get copies of Santa Cruz County marriage certificates from the county or from the state. The county offers faster service for marriages that occurred in Santa Cruz County. Visit the clerk office in person at 701 Ocean Street or submit a request by mail. You need the names of both spouses and the approximate year of marriage to search for the record.

The California Department of Public Health also maintains some Santa Cruz 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 at all. State processing averages 5 to 7 weeks compared to same-day or next-day service at most county offices. The state fee is $19 per certified copy as of January 2026.

For marriages in Santa Cruz County, the local clerk office is usually the best choice. They maintain the original records and can provide faster service. County fees may differ from state fees. Contact the Santa Cruz County Clerk at (831) 454-2800 to confirm current fees before you order. All fees are non-refundable even if the record cannot be located.

Marriage Record Fees

Santa Cruz 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 costs. Contact the clerk office to confirm current license fees before you apply.

Certified copy fees for marriage certificates follow state guidelines. The California Department of Public Health increased vital record fees effective January 1, 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. The new state fee is $19 per certified copy, an increase of $2 from the previous $17 fee. County fees may match or differ from the state rate.

Call (831) 454-2800 or check the Santa Cruz County website for the current fee schedule. Make checks or money orders payable to Santa Cruz County Clerk-Recorder. Payment must be drawn on a U.S. bank. If a record cannot be found, you may receive a Certificate of No Public Record. The search fee is kept even if no record exists. All fees are final and non-refundable.

Nearby California Counties

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

• San Mateo County to the north
• Santa Clara County to the northeast
• San Benito County to the east
• Monterey County to the south

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