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Marriage License Filing
 How do we obtain a marriage license?
What are the differences between public
and confidential marriage licenses?
How long is a marriage license good
for?
What happens to the license after the
ceremony?
Click here to download a
marriage license application in pdf format.
How
do we obtain a marriage license?
A license to be married may be purchased at the Clerk's Office in downtown
Martinez at 555 Escobar Street. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday; however, to ensure proper processing, please arrive no
later than 4:00 PM
Both parties must appear together before the Clerk. An application form
will be provided for you to complete. Blood tests are no longer required.
Applicants must be unmarried and at least 18 years of age. Both must have a
government issued valid picture ID that include full legal name and date of
birth. If either party has been granted a dissolution within the last 12
months, a filed copy of the final judgment will be required. The license is
issued at the time of appearance and is valid for 90 days.
Fees:
Public License Fee: $85.00
Confidential Fee: $90.00
Certified Copy of License: $16.00
Payment: Cash and Debit Card
There
is no waiting period in California between the issuance of the license and the
ceremony. If you wish to be married in a civil ceremony in our office by
our staff, an appointment is required and can be scheduled by calling the
office at 925-335-7900.
If either party is a juvenile, or if a confidential license is needed,
please call the office and speak to a staff member at 925-335-7900.
If the license has already been issued but has been altered, lost or
destroyed, please call the office and speak to a staff member at
925-335-7900.
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Public License
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Confidential License
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- Public record
- License good for 90 days
- License can be used
throughout the state of California
- Fee is $85.00
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- Not available for public
inspection
- License good for 90 days
- License can be used in
the county where purchased only
- Fee is $90.00
- Couple must take an oath
stating that they reside together as husband and wife
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How long is a
marriage license good for?
The marriage license is good for 90 days from the date issued. If not used within
90 days, a new license must be obtained.
What happens to the
license after the ceremony?
After the ceremony, the license is completed by the person performing the
ceremony and is returned to the Recorder's office. It is required that the
license be returned within 10 days after the ceremony. Once the license is
received and if it is completed correctly, the license is recorded. At that
time, you may purchase a certified copy of the license either by internet,
telephone, mail or in person.
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