Order Your California Marriage Certificate Online

A certified copy of a California marriage certificate costs $19 when ordered through the CDPH. County Clerk fees vary by county and may be higher or lower. Ordering additional copies at the same time is usually more cost-effective. Online orders through CDPH or authorized providers may include convenience and processing fees. Expedited shipping is available for an additional charge.

Yes. You can order a California marriage certificate online through the CDPH vital records portal or through authorized third-party providers. You will need to provide the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the county where the license was issued. Online orders require a credit or debit card. Processing through CDPH typically takes 6 to 8 weeks by standard processing. Some county offices also accept online orders with faster turnaround times.

Yes. California allows either spouse named on the certificate, a parent or legal guardian, or a person with a court order to request a certified copy. A government agency or law enforcement representative acting in an official capacity is also eligible. The requester must complete a Sworn Statement under penalty of perjury. If you cannot request the certificate yourself, you may authorize a representative through a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA), which allows that person to apply on your behalf through the CDPH or the County Clerk's office.

Standard California marriage records are public records, but "public" does not mean anyone can walk in and pick up a certified copy. Every request — whether filed in person, by mail, or online — requires a completed Sworn Statement signed under penalty of perjury. If you only need to confirm that a marriage took place and do not qualify for an authorized copy, you can request an informational copy from CDPH, which verifies the record exists but cannot be used for legal purposes such as name changes or immigration filings.

Correcting or amending your California marriage certificate is a straightforward process. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requires an Affidavit to Amend a Marriage Certificate form, supporting documents (if needed), two signatures, and a notarized sworn statement. The CDPH does not amend confidential marriage certificate. To amend a confidential marriage record, refer to the county clerk’s office where the marriage license was issued. Although the process and requirements for correcting a marriage certificate in California vary, these are the general requirements:

1. A completed California Affidavit to Amend a Marriage Certificate
2. Supporting documentation must include a photocopy of the current marriage certificate. Additional documents, such as a birth certificate or court order, may also be required.
3. A completed Notarized Statement
4. Appropriate fee(s): Check or money order made payable to CDPH Vital Records.
5. Submit the documents to:
   CDPH-VR, MS 5105, PO Box 997410, Sacramento, CA, 95899-7410

You need a California apostille to use your marriage certificate with a foreign government or organization under the Hague Convention. The California Secretary of State issues apostilles for marriage certificate originally filed with the CDPH. VRO Express Apostille handles the entire process online in three steps, starting at $149 plus government fees, and is valid in over 100 countries.

Yes. If you are not one of the authorized requesters under California law, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) can issue a Certificate of Record (also called an informational copy) confirming that a marriage exists in their files. This document is labeled "Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity" and cannot be used for legal purposes, but it does confirm that a California public marriage was filed with CDPH between 1905 and 1999 or from 2008 to present.

To request a copy, contact the County Clerk in the county where the marriage license was originally issued — confidential records are not available through CDPH. You will need to provide valid government-issued identification and, in most counties, complete a request form in person or by mail. Only the two spouses named on the certificate or a party with a court order may file the request. Processing times and fees vary by county, so check with the specific County Clerk's office before submitting.

No. Each County Recorder can only issue certificates for marriages that were licensed or registered in that specific county. If you are unsure which county your marriage was filed in, request your copy through CDPH instead — their statewide index lets you search without knowing the exact county. VRO can also help identify the correct jurisdiction when you submit your application.

If you lost your California marriage certificate, you can order a certified replacement copy from the California Department of Public Health (for public marriages) or from the County Recorder where the marriage was filed. You will need to complete a request form, provide a notarized sworn statement (if you are an authorized requester), and pay the $19 state fee per copy. County fees vary.

Yes. A certified California marriage certificate is the standard document required to change your last name after marriage. You will need it to update your Social Security card, California driver’s license or ID, passport, and bank and employment records. Most agencies require a certified copy, not an informational copy.

Most people order two to three certified copies of their California marriage certificate. You will typically need one for Social Security, one for your passport or immigration filings, and one to keep in a safe place. Ordering extra copies at the same time is usually faster and cheaper than requesting additional copies later.

California issues two types of certified marriage certificate copies. An authorized certified copy is a legal document that can be used for name changes, Social Security, passports, immigration, and other official purposes; it can only be requested by the spouses, immediate family, legal representatives, or a party with a court order, and a notarized sworn statement is required. An informational certified copy contains the same marriage information but is stamped "Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity" and cannot be used for legal purposes; anyone may request one without a notarized statement. Both copies cost $19 per copy through CDPH, and California county recorder fees vary.

Both — the county creates the original record and CDPH maintains a statewide copy. As a practical rule: if you know the county and want faster processing, order from the County Recorder. If you are unsure which county or your marriage falls within CDPH's date range (1905–1999 or 2008–present), order through CDPH. For confidential marriages or the 2000–2007 gap period, the county is your only option.

A California marriage license is the permission to marry, issued before the ceremony by a County Clerk. A California marriage certificate is the official government record proving the marriage happened, issued after the ceremony by CDPH or the County Recorder, and it is the document you need for legal purposes. A California marriage verification letter (also called a Certificate of Record or informational copy) is issued by CDPH only when the requester is not legally authorized to receive a certified copy; it confirms the marriage exists in CDPH records but is clearly marked "Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity" and cannot be used for legal proof of marriage.