Solano County Marriage Records

Solano County marriage licenses and certificates are processed by the County Clerk office located at 675 Texas Street, Suite 2700 in Fairfield. This office serves all of Solano County for marriage services including issuing new licenses to couples and providing certified copies of existing marriage records. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available following California state law. The county clerk maintains all original marriage certificates for ceremonies performed in Solano County. You can apply for a license in person or request copies of old marriage records by visiting the office or submitting a mail request. Call (707) 784-6294 to speak with staff about fees, requirements, or office hours before you visit. Visit solanocounty.com/depts/clerk for more information on county clerk services available in Solano County.

County Clerk Office

The Solano County Clerk office is at 675 Texas Street, Suite 2700 in Fairfield. This is the main office for all marriage services in the county. Staff can help you apply for a marriage license, answer questions about the application process, and provide certified copies of existing marriage certificates for records in their files.

Visit the Solano County Clerk website for information on services and requirements. You can also call (707) 784-6294 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 come to the Solano County Clerk office together. You cannot apply by mail or have someone 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 blood tests for marriage. This requirement was eliminated many years ago. 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 90-day period with a public license.

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 situations may require you to bring documentation such as a divorce decree or death certificate. Contact the Solano County office at (707) 784-6294 to confirm what documents you need based on your circumstances before you make the trip to Fairfield.

Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses

Solano County issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public 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 Solano County choose public licenses.

A confidential license stays private forever under California law. Both parties must be 18 years old 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 otherwise. Confidential licenses are authorized by California Family Code sections 500 through 511.

Both license types work anywhere in California for public licenses. Confidential licenses may have location restrictions. After the ceremony, the person who performed the marriage must return the signed license to Solano County within 10 days. This requirement comes from California Family Code Part 1. The county will then register the marriage and create the official certificate.

Marriage Ceremonies in Solano 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 under state law.

Contact the Solano 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 authority from the county. Ask the clerk office about this option when you apply for your license.

After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the Solano County Clerk office. 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 their personal records.

Getting Marriage Certificate Copies

You can get copies of Solano County marriage certificates from the county or from the state. The county offers faster service for marriages that occurred in Solano County. Visit the clerk office in person in Fairfield 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 Solano 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 faster service at the county level. The state fee is $19 per certified copy as of January 2026.

For marriages in Solano County, the local clerk office is usually the best choice. They maintain the original records and can provide quicker service. County fees may differ from state fees. Contact the Solano County Clerk at (707) 784-6294 to confirm current copy fees before you order. All fees are non-refundable even if the record cannot be located.

Marriage Record Fees

Solano 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. 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. Solano County fees may match or differ from the state rate.

Call (707) 784-6294 or check the Solano County website for the current fee schedule. Make checks or money orders payable to Solano County Clerk. 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 under California law.

Cities in Solano County

Solano County includes several cities. The largest cities with populations over 100,000 include Vallejo, Fairfield, and Vacaville. All residents of these cities obtain marriage licenses and certificates through the Solano County Clerk office in Fairfield. No separate city offices issue marriage licenses in the county.

Nearby California Counties

Solano County is in the North Bay region between San Francisco and Sacramento. If your marriage occurred in a neighboring county, you must contact that county's clerk office. Adjacent counties include:

• Yolo County to the north
• Sacramento County to the northeast
• Contra Costa County to the south
• Napa County to the west

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