Siskiyou County Marriage Records

Siskiyou County marriage licenses and certificates are maintained by the County Clerk office in Yreka at 311 Fourth Street. This office serves the entire county for all marriage 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 in California. The county clerk follows all California state requirements for marriage procedures and record keeping. You can visit the office in person to apply for a license or request copies of old marriage certificates. Call (530) 842-8084 to speak with staff about fees, requirements, or office hours. The county website at co.siskiyou.ca.us/content/county-clerk has additional information on county clerk services in Siskiyou County.

County Clerk Office

The Siskiyou County Clerk office is located at 311 Fourth Street in Yreka. This is the county seat of Siskiyou County in far northern California. The clerk office handles marriage license applications and maintains marriage certificates for all ceremonies performed in the county.

Call (530) 842-8084 to reach the office. Staff can answer questions about requirements, fees, and processing times. Visit the Siskiyou County Clerk website for information on services. The website has details on vital records, marriage licenses, and other county clerk functions.

Getting a Marriage License

Both parties must appear together in person at the Siskiyou County Clerk 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 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 remains valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You can marry anywhere in California during that time with a public license. Confidential licenses have different rules about where you can marry.

If you were married before, be prepared to provide details about when and how that marriage ended. Know the exact date and whether it ended by death, divorce, dissolution, or annulment. Some situations may require you to bring proof such as a divorce decree or death certificate. Contact the Siskiyou County office at (530) 842-8084 to ask what documents you need before you visit.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

Siskiyou County issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public 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. Public licenses are the most common choice for couples in Siskiyou 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 are governed by California Family Code sections 500 to 511.

Public marriage licenses work anywhere in California. Confidential licenses may have restrictions on where the ceremony can take place. Check with the Siskiyou County office about confidential license rules. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to Siskiyou County within 10 days. This timeline is set by California Family Code Part 1.

Marriage Ceremonies in Siskiyou 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.

Contact the Siskiyou County Clerk office to ask about civil ceremony options. Some counties offer civil ceremonies at the clerk office. 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 county authority. Ask about this option when you apply for your license.

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

How to Get Marriage Certificates

You can request marriage certificate copies from Siskiyou County or from the state. The county offers faster service for marriages that occurred in Siskiyou County. Visit the clerk office in person in Yreka 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 Siskiyou County marriage records. CDPH keeps public marriage certificates from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to the present. The state does not maintain confidential marriage records at all. State processing averages 5 to 7 weeks. The state fee is $19 per certified copy as of January 2026.

For marriages in Siskiyou County, the local clerk office is usually the best choice. They maintain the original records. County processing is typically faster than state processing. Call (530) 842-8084 to confirm current copy fees before you order. All fees are non-refundable even if a record is not found.

Marriage Record Fees

Siskiyou 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 county guidelines. The state charges $19 per certified copy as of January 2026. This increase took effect January 1, 2026 under Assembly Bill 64. Siskiyou County fees may match or differ from the state rate.

Call (530) 842-8084 or check the Siskiyou County website for the current fee schedule. Make checks or money orders payable to Siskiyou County Clerk. 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 kept even if no record exists. All fees are final and non-refundable.

Nearby California Counties

Siskiyou County is in far northern California along the Oregon border. If your marriage occurred in a neighboring county, you must contact that county's clerk office. Adjacent counties include:

• Modoc County to the east
• Shasta County to the south
• Trinity County to the southwest

Siskiyou County also borders Oregon to the north. For Oregon marriage records, contact Oregon vital records or the county where the marriage occurred.