Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses are now available for both walk-in service and by appointment; however, customers must complete an online marriage application prior to visiting any of our offices. Appointments are highly recommended and can be made online. A marriage license is valid for 90 days. There are no citizenship or residency requirements, nor are blood tests required to obtain a marriage license. Applicants must be over 18 years old. There are absolutely no refunds for expired marriage licenses or if you have a change of plans.
The department will be implementing strict social distancing guidelines as well as the following restrictions to ensure the safety of the couples and staff:
- Couples must complete their marriage application online prior to visiting any of our offices.
- Couples must present valid government issued photo identification at their appointment.
- Ceremony rooms are open to the public.
- Payment can be made by cash, credit/debit card, check, cashier's check, and/or money order. Make checks and money orders payable to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder.
To complete the application for a marriage license for in-person service, a couple must:
- Appear together in person.
- Each person must present one form of a valid non-expired, government issued, photo identification (such as a driver's license or passport).
- If divorced within the last 90 days, please provide a copy of the divorce decree.
- If spouse is deceased within the previous 90 days, please provide a certified copy of the death certificate.
- Select the name each wishes to use after marriage, to be listed on the marriage license.
- Couples are not required to change their name(s). However, if the couple decides to change their name(s), they must do so at the time of signing the marriage license. Once the license is signed only a court order can change the name(s).
- The couple must provide at least one witness if they are a having a marriage ceremony performed at any of our available locations after having obtained a public marriage license. The department will not provide witnesses under any circumstances.
- A marriage ceremony will not be performed if a couple does not have a witness present who can sign their public marriage license and who can physically witness the marriage ceremony.
- Both individuals must be able to read, speak and understand English. If not, the couples must bring a sole witness who is able to translate to obtain a license and to have a ceremony performed. The department does not provide translation services nor witnesses.
Complete Your Application/Make an Appointment |
For In-Person Marriage Service: Couples must complete their marriage license application online prior to visiting any of our offices. Appointments are highly recommended and have priority. Walk-in service is on a first-come first-served basis. Marriage license applications can be completed at: https://ocweddings.ocrecorder.com/#/ |
Public Marriage License
A public marriage license becomes a public record, and anyone can request an informational copy. This license can be used anywhere in the State of California. The cost for a public marriage license is $61.
Confidential Marriage License
A confidential marriage license becomes a confidential record, and the only people able to obtain information about it are the couple, except by special court order. The requirements to obtain this type of license are:
- Couple must be living together prior to the marriage.
- This license can be used anywhere in the State of California.
The cost for a confidential marriage license is $66.
