How to Find California Marriage Records

How to Find United States Marriages California Marriages


 * Marriage records began at the creation of the individual county
 * County clerks began sending copies to the state in 1905

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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 1905
 * Marriages between 1905 and 1952
 * Marriages after 1952
 * Marriage year unknown


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Marriages before 1905
Marriage records began at the creation of the individual county. The first official law that required the recording of marriages was passed in 1850.

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 County Registrars and Recorders - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the county registrar or recorder office where your ancestor was married and order a copy of the marriage record.

Marriages between 1905 and 1952

 * County clerks began sending copies to the state in 1905

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, you have three options:


 * FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
 * Individual County Registrars and Recorders - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the county registrar or recorder office where your ancestor was married and order a copy of the marriage record.
 * California Department of Health - You can order the certificate from the state department.

Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages after 1952
Statewide registration of marriages began in 1905 with general compliance by 1920. The Vital Records office of the California Department of Public Health has copies of marriages from 1905 to present day.

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 marriage certificates: To obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate, you must be:


 * The person named on the certificate
 * The person's spouse
 * The person's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling
 * A legal party (attorney, law enforcement or representative of the government) with authorization or court order
 * The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record
 * An individual who orders the certificate in behalf of an individual in the above categories

NOTE: An certified copy of the death certificate cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above. If you do not qualify for an authorized copy, you can order an informational copy. The department of public health ONLY provides certified copies between 1949 to 1986, 1998 to 1999.

'''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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