REGULAR MARRIAGE LICENSE

The fee for a Regular Marriage License is $70. A blood test is not required.

To save time at the Clerk's office, download the REGULAR MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION
and fill it out before you go to the Clerk's office.

Each person must present one form of valid photo identification with proof of age (driver's license, passport, etc.).

If either party has been granted a divorce within 90 days of applying for a new marriage license,
a copy of the final divorce decree must be presented at the time of issue.

Your marriage license is effective immediately and valid for 90 days anywhere within the state of California.

Once you have your marriage license the ceremony can be performed at the location of your choice by any minister, clergyman or wedding officiant, or by the county recorder.

After the ceremony, I will hand-deliver your marriage license to the processing office of the San Diego County Clerk's office within 10 days after your wedding ceremony, where it will be filed. If it comes from another County, we will send it Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested so it has to be signed for and gets there safely. It is the responsibility of your officiant to file the license with the Clerk of record.

After your wedding, certified copies of your license (which becomes your Marriage Certificate) may be purchased approximately 14 days after the license (signed by ONE witness and your officiant) is returned to the county recorder's office. NOTE: California requires only one witness be present at the ceremony.

If you need to speak with a Marriage Section staff member, call (619) 531-6248. Se habla Español.

CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE LICENSE

The cost for a Confidential Marriage License is $89. Blood test not required. Click here for a CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION.

To obtain a Confidential Marriage License, both the prospective Bride and Groom must appear together at one of San Diego County Clerk office locations. NOTE: The Confidential Marriage License DOES NOT require the signature of a witness.

Each person must present one form of valid photo identification with proof of age. To expedite the identification process, it is recommended that both the Bride and Groom bring a certified copy of their birth certificate.

If either party has been granted a divorce within 90 days, a decree must be presented at the time of issue.

In order to issue a Confidential Marriage License:

1. Both parties must swear in writing that they have already been living together.
2. The marriage ceremony may be performed ONLY in San Diego County.
3. The marriage record will be maintained as Confidential and ONLY the Bride or Groom may obtain copies of the marriage certificate, EXCEPT by order of the Superior Court.

By law, the officant is required to file the license with the County Clerk of record. We will hand-deliver your license to the San Diego County Clerk within 10 days of your wedding date. If it comes from another County, we will send it Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested so it has to be signed for and gets there safely. After your wedding, certified copies of your license (which becomes your Marriage Certificate) may be purchased approximately 14 days after the license (signed by your officiant) is returned to the county recorder's office.

PLEASE NOTE: The office of the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk issues Regular marriage licenses or Confidential licenses when the confidentiality of the marriage date is important. Couples who choose the Confidential License should be aware that when certified copies of the Confidential Marriage License are requested, the copies can ONLY be issued to the Bride or Groom with proper identification.