Shasta County Marriage Records

Shasta County marriage licenses and certificates are handled by the County Clerk-Recorder office in Redding at 1643 Market Street. This office serves the entire county for all marriage services including issuing new licenses to couples and providing certified copies of existing marriage records. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available in Shasta County. The clerk-recorder maintains all original marriage certificates for ceremonies performed in the county. You can apply for a license in person or request copies of old marriage records by visiting the office or contacting them by mail. The office phone number is (530) 225-5730. Visit the county website at shastacounty.gov/clerk-recorder for details on fees, hours, and requirements before you make the trip to Redding.

County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Shasta County Clerk-Recorder office is at 1643 Market Street in Redding. This is the only office in the county where you can apply for a marriage license in person. The clerk-recorder staff can help with license applications and provide certified copies of marriage certificates for records in their files.

Call (530) 225-5730 to reach the office. Staff can answer questions about requirements, fees, and processing times. Visit the Shasta County Clerk-Recorder website for more information on services offered. The website has details on vital records, marriage licenses, and other clerk-recorder functions in Shasta County.

Getting a Marriage License

Both parties must come to the Shasta County office together. You cannot apply by mail or online for the license itself. Bring valid photo ID such as 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 blood tests for marriage. There is no waiting period in the state. You can use your license the same day it is issued. The license stays valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can marry anywhere in California during that time. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to Shasta County within 10 days as required by California Family Code Part 1.

If you were married before, be ready to provide information about when and how that marriage ended. Know 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 Shasta County office at (530) 225-5730 to ask what documents you need before you visit based on your situation.

Public and Confidential Licenses

Shasta County issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public 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. A second witness is optional but allowed. Public licenses are the most common choice for couples in Shasta County.

A confidential license stays private under California law. Both parties must be 18 or older. You must be living together as spouses when you apply. No witnesses are needed for the ceremony. Only the married couple can get copies unless a court orders otherwise. Confidential licenses follow California Family Code sections 500 to 511.

Both license types work anywhere in California. You can marry in any county with a Shasta County license. The ceremony location does not matter. What matters is where the license was issued and where it gets returned for registration after the ceremony.

Marriage Ceremonies in Shasta County

You can choose any authorized person to perform your ceremony. Religious officials such as priests, ministers, and rabbis can officiate marriages in California. Judges and certain other government officials also have authority. The person who performs your ceremony must be authorized under California law to solemnize marriages.

Some couples choose civil ceremonies. Contact the Shasta County Clerk-Recorder office to ask about civil ceremony options and fees. 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. Ask the clerk office about this option when you apply for your license.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to Shasta County. The clerk-recorder office registers the marriage and creates the official certificate. You can then order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the county. Most people order at least one copy for legal purposes.

How to Get Marriage Certificates

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

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

For marriages in Shasta County, contact the local clerk-recorder office first. They maintain the original records. County processing is faster than the state. The county has noted a fee of $32 per copy for vital records though marriage certificate fees may differ. Call (530) 225-5730 to verify current fees before you order. All fees are non-refundable even if a record is not found.

Marriage Fees in Shasta County

Shasta 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. Contact the clerk-recorder office to confirm current license fees before you apply.

Certified copy fees for vital records in Shasta County are noted at $32 per copy. This may apply to birth and death certificates. Marriage certificate copy fees may be the same or different. The state charges $19 per certified copy as of January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. County fees can differ from state fees.

Call (530) 225-5730 or visit the Shasta County website to verify all current fees before you submit payment. Make checks or money orders payable to Shasta County Clerk-Recorder. All payments 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. All fees are final and non-refundable.

Cities in Shasta County

Shasta County includes the city of Redding, the county seat, which has a population over 100,000. All residents of Shasta County cities obtain marriage licenses and certificates through the County Clerk-Recorder office in Redding. No separate city offices issue marriage licenses in the county.

Nearby California Counties

Shasta County is in northern California. If your marriage occurred in a neighboring county, you must contact that county's clerk office. Adjacent counties include:

• Siskiyou County to the north
• Modoc County to the northeast
• Lassen County to the east
• Plumas County to the southeast
• Tehama County to the south
• Trinity County to the west