Yolo County Marriage Records
Marriage records in Yolo County are handled by the Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections Department. This department is called ACE for short. The office is in Woodland on Court Street. All marriage licenses for the county are issued here. The office maintains original certificates for every marriage performed in Yolo County. Both public and confidential marriage licenses are available. Certified copies can be requested by people who meet California's requirements. The ACE Department combines several county functions under one roof. Staff provide service for marriage licenses, vital records, property recordings, and election administration. Yolo County is in the Sacramento Valley and serves several cities including Davis.
Yolo County Overview
ACE Department Office
The Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections Department is your main contact for marriage licenses and certificates. The office is at 625 Court Street, Suite B01, in Woodland. This is the only place in the county where you can get a marriage license. The ACE Department handles all vital records for the county.
Call the office at (530) 666-8130 with questions about marriage services. Staff can tell you what documents to bring, what fees to pay, and how long processing takes. Office hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Call ahead to confirm hours before you visit. Ask if you need an appointment for marriage license applications.
Woodland is the county seat of Yolo County. The ACE office is in the main county building. Parking is available nearby. Staff provide friendly service and can guide you through the marriage license process step by step.
Getting a Marriage License
Both parties must appear in person together at the ACE office to get a marriage license. You cannot apply by mail or have someone else apply for you. Bring valid photo ID like a driver license or passport. Your ID must show your photo, birth date, and current legal name.
Yolo County issues both public and confidential marriage licenses. Public licenses are the most common type. These become part of the public record after you marry. Anyone can request a certified copy later. At least one witness must sign a public marriage license at the ceremony.
Confidential licenses keep your marriage private. Only you and your spouse can get copies. No witnesses are required for confidential marriages in California. Both parties must be at least 18 years old to use a confidential license. You must also be living together as spouses when you apply. This is a legal requirement under California law.
Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date it was issued. You must marry within that time or the license expires. There is no waiting period in California. You can marry the same day you get your license. This flexibility is popular with couples who want quick weddings or who are visiting California for a short time.
Requirements and Previous Marriages
If you were married before, be ready to tell the clerk when and how that marriage ended. You need the exact date the previous marriage ended and whether it ended by death, divorce, dissolution, or annulment. Some counties ask for a copy of your divorce decree or death certificate. Call ahead to ask what Yolo County requires from you.
This information is required under California law. The clerk needs to verify that you are legally free to marry. Providing false information on a marriage license application is illegal and can void your marriage later. Be honest and complete when you fill out the application.
No blood test is required in California. This requirement was eliminated many years ago. You also do not need to be a California resident. Anyone can get married in California regardless of where they live. Your license is valid anywhere in the state.
Marriage Ceremonies
After you get your license, you need an authorized officiant to perform your ceremony. California law sets out who can solemnize marriages. This includes judges, clergy members, and certain other officials. Your officiant must be authorized under California law or the marriage may not be valid.
The ceremony can be as simple or elaborate as you choose. The legal requirement is that the officiant performs the ceremony and signs the license. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the county clerk within 10 days. The ACE office then records the marriage and creates your certificate.
Yolo County has many locations for weddings. You can choose urban settings in Davis or Woodland, or rural agricultural areas. Some couples marry near the Sacramento River or in local parks. Just make sure your officiant returns the signed license on time so your marriage gets recorded properly.
Requesting Marriage Certificates
You can get a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the Yolo County ACE office if you married in the county. California law limits who can request public marriage records. You must be a party to the marriage, an attorney for one of the parties, or have a court order. This rule is set out in Health and Safety Code section 103526.
Visit the office in person for fastest service. Bring valid ID and payment for the certificate fee. Most offices can print your certificate while you wait if the record is ready. In-person service is usually the quickest option.
You can also request copies by mail. Write a letter with your name, address, and phone number. Include details about the marriage such as the names of both parties, the date of marriage, and where the ceremony took place. Send a check or money order for the certificate fee. Mail your request to the ACE office at 625 Court Street, Suite B01, Woodland, CA 95695. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks for mail requests.
For confidential marriage certificates, only the married parties can get copies. The law protects these records from public inspection. You must prove your identity when you request a copy. The clerk will not release confidential records to anyone else unless a court orders it.
If you need multiple copies of your certificate, order them all at once. Additional copies cost less when ordered together. Many people need several copies for name changes, benefits, and other legal purposes. Ordering them together saves money and time.
Vital Certificate Fees
Yolo County charges fees for marriage licenses and certified copies of certificates. The license fee depends on whether you choose a public or confidential license. The certificate fee is around $19 per copy as of early 2026. This reflects the state-mandated increase that took effect in January 2026 under Assembly Bill 64.
The Vital Certificate Fees page on the county website has current fee information. Check this page before you visit or order copies. Fees can change from time to time. The ACE office will have the most up-to-date information.
The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Credit and debit cards may also be accepted but could include a processing fee. Ask about payment options when you call. Bring enough money to cover all fees when you visit.
California Marriage Law
California marriage law is found in the California Family Code. Both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry without court approval. Minors under 18 need a court order to marry. This is rare and requires special circumstances such as pregnancy or parental consent plus judicial approval.
You do not need to be a California resident to marry in the state. Anyone can get married in California. Your license is valid anywhere in the state. You can get your license in one county and marry in another county. This makes California flexible for destination weddings and elopements.
No blood test is required in California. This requirement was eliminated years ago. You do need to know about any previous marriages. Be ready to state when and how those marriages ended. Some counties require proof such as a divorce decree or death certificate.
The ceremony must be performed by an authorized officiant. The officiant must sign the license and return it to the county within 10 days. The county records the marriage and creates your certificate. Once recorded, you can request certified copies for legal use.
State Vital Records Office
The California Department of Public Health also keeps some marriage records. The state has public marriage records from 1905 to 2001 and from 2010 to the present. The state does not maintain confidential marriage records.
For records outside the state's date range or for confidential marriages, you must contact the county where the license was issued. Counties have complete records for all marriages in their jurisdiction. County processing is usually faster than state processing. Most counties provide same-day or next-day service while the state can take 5 to 7 weeks.
The state fee is $19 per certified copy as of January 2026. County fees are similar. Compare both options to see which works best for your situation. For Yolo County marriages, the ACE office is usually the best choice.
Nearby Counties
Yolo County shares borders with several other counties. If you need records from a nearby county or want to compare services, check these options:
Each county operates its own clerk-recorder office. Fees and procedures may vary from county to county. All counties follow California state law for marriage licenses and certificates. Contact each county directly for specific requirements and current fees.