Find Sierra County Marriage Records

Sierra County marriage licenses and certificates are processed by the County Clerk-Recorder office located at 100 Courthouse Square, Room 11 in Downieville. This small mountain county offers multiple ways to apply for a marriage license including in person, by fax, by email, through their online Self-Service Kiosk, or by mail. The regular marriage license fee is $66 and the confidential marriage license fee is $71. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available. Public marriage licenses can be used anywhere in California while confidential licenses must be used in Sierra County only. The office maintains all marriage certificates for ceremonies performed in Sierra County. No blood tests are required and there are no residency requirements for the parties to be married or for witnesses. Call (530) 289-3295 to speak with staff about requirements or visit sierracounty.ca.gov/211/Marriage-Licenses-Ceremonies for detailed information on marriage services.

County Clerk-Recorder Office

The Sierra County Clerk-Recorder office is in the historic courthouse in Downieville. The address is 100 Courthouse Square, Room 11. Sierra County is one of the smallest counties in California by population. The clerk-recorder staff provides personalized service for marriage licenses and other vital records.

Visit the Sierra County marriage licenses page for complete information on requirements and fees. The county offers several ways to apply for a license which is unusual for California counties. You can call (530) 289-3295 to speak with staff about your specific situation before you apply.

Applying for a Marriage License

Sierra County offers several application methods. You can apply in person at the courthouse in Downieville. You can also submit applications by fax, email, through their online Self-Service Kiosk, or by mail. This flexibility makes Sierra County more accessible than many California counties that require in-person applications only.

The fee for a regular public marriage license is $66. The fee for a confidential marriage license is $71 for couples already living together. Blood tests are no longer required in California. There are no residency requirements for the parties to be married. There are also no residency requirements for witnesses to the ceremony. This makes Sierra County a good option for couples from out of state who want to marry in California.

Your license stays valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. A public marriage license can be used anywhere in California. A confidential marriage license must be used in Sierra County only. This is a key difference between the two license types in Sierra County. Plan your ceremony location accordingly when choosing which license type to get.

Minors and Marriage in Sierra County

If either party is under 18 years old, special requirements apply. You need written consent from parents or guardians. You must also complete counseling. A Superior Court order is required before the county can issue the license. Contact the Sierra County Superior Court at (530) 289-3698 for information on the court order process for minors.

California law has strict requirements for minors who want to marry. The process involves multiple steps and approvals. Most couples in Sierra County are 18 or older and do not need to go through this process. If you have questions about minor marriage requirements, call the clerk office at (530) 289-3295 and the court at (530) 289-3698.

Public and Confidential Licenses

Sierra County issues both types of marriage licenses. A public license becomes a public record. Anyone can request a copy. You need at least one witness to sign the license at your ceremony. A second witness is optional. The public marriage license can be used anywhere in California. This is the standard choice for most couples.

A confidential license stays private. Both parties must be 18 or older. You must already 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. The confidential license must be used in Sierra County only. You cannot marry in a different county with a Sierra County confidential license. This restriction is specific to confidential licenses under California Family Code sections 500 to 511.

Marriage Ceremonies in Sierra County

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

After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license. They must return it to Sierra County within 10 days as required by California Family Code Part 1. The clerk-recorder office will register the marriage and create the official certificate. You can then order certified copies from the county.

Sierra County offers scenic mountain locations for outdoor ceremonies. The county is in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains. Many couples choose to marry in natural settings. Make sure your chosen location is within Sierra County if you have a confidential license. Public licenses can be used anywhere in California.

Getting Marriage Certificate Copies

You can request marriage certificate copies from Sierra County or from the state. The county offers faster service for marriages that occurred in Sierra County. Contact the clerk-recorder office in Downieville by phone at (530) 289-3295 or visit in person. You need the names of both spouses and the approximate marriage date.

The California Department of Public Health also maintains some Sierra 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 averages 5 to 7 weeks. The state fee is $19 per certified copy as of January 2026.

For marriages in Sierra County, the local clerk office is usually the best choice. They maintain the original records and can provide personalized service. County fees may differ from state fees. Contact the Sierra County office to confirm current copy fees before you order. All fees are non-refundable even if a record is not found.

Marriage Fees in Sierra County

Sierra County has set fees for marriage licenses. The regular public marriage license costs $66. The confidential marriage license for couples already residing together costs $71. These fees are current as of 2026 but may change. Always verify fees with the clerk office before you submit payment.

Certified copy fees for marriage certificates may differ from license fees. The state charges $19 per certified copy as of January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. Sierra County fees for copies may match or differ from the state rate. Call (530) 289-3295 to confirm all current fees.

Make checks or money orders payable to Sierra 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 under California law.

Nearby California Counties

Sierra County is in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains. It is one of the least populated counties in California. If your marriage occurred in a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk office. Adjacent counties include:

• Plumas County to the north
• Lassen County to the northeast
• Nevada County to the south
• Yuba County to the southwest