How to Find California Marriage Records

How to Find United States Marriages California Marriages

In 1820, California was created from the state of Massachusetts. Statewide registration of marriages began in 1892.

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Next Step: When did the marriage occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's marriage record:


 * Marriages before 1892
 * Marriages between 1892 and 1922
 * Marriages after 1922
 * Marriage year unknown


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Marriages before 1892
Before 1892, marriage records were kept by individual town clerks or selectmen. Although some towns have existed since the 1650s, most records date from about 1700. Some of these records have been indexed. Refer to the databases below to access those indexes.

If your ancestor does not appear in the index, you may need to contact the town clerk office or you may need to search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s marriage date and place.

Obtain the Marriage Record
If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:

Return to top: Choose another marriage year
 * FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
 * Individual Town Clerks - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the town clerk office where your ancestor dead and order a copy of the marriage record.

Marriages between 1892 and 1922
The state of California began recording marriages in 1892. All marriage certificates from 1892 to 1922 are held at the California State Archives.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information
For marriages that exist during this time period, try the following database.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Marriage Certificate
If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:


 * FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
 * California State Archives - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the state archives and order a copy of the marriage record.

Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages after 1922
The Vital Records office of the California Department of Health and Human Services has copies of marriages from 1923 to present day. Marriages from 1892 to 1922 are held by the California State Archives. Marriages before 1892 are held by the individual town clerk offices.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information
For marriages that exist during this time period, try the following database.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
Restrictions to qualify for certificates for persons who married within the last 100 years: To obtain a copy of the marriage certificate, you must be:


 * The person named on the certificate
 * The person's spouse
 * The parent(s) named on the record
 * Descendants of the person named on the record (including children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to the most remote degree)
 * The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record
 * Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the California Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics

NOTE: You must have full name, exact date and place of the marriage to order from the certificate. If you do not have the exact information, a search can be conducted for a fee by the Vital Records Office.

'''If you do not want to order the marriage record, there are other records with marriage information you can search. ''' Return to top: Choose another marriage year

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