How to Find California Marriage Records
- Marriage records began at the creation of the individual county
- County clerks began sending copies to the state in 1905
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? |
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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.
| California Marriage Database - Includes Index and Images | ||
| 1667-2007 At Findmypast.com | ($) | |
| California Marriage Databases - Includes Index Only | ||
| Try 1st: | ||
| 1850 - 1952 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index of marriage records from individual counties. Includes marriage licenses, certificates, registers, applications, affidavits, stubs, etc. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and some FamilySearch Centers. Also at MyHeritage ($) | |
| Try 2nd: | ||
| Western States Marriage Index | Free; incomplete. | |
| Next try: | ||
| 1850 - 1945 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index of marriage records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and some FamilySearch Centers. | |
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online 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.
| Records that give marriage information: | ||
Obtain the Marriage Record
If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:
- FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can view the microfilm at the FamilySearch Library or possibly a FamilySearch Center.
- 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 2007
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 marriage records from 1905 to present day. County clerks began sending copies to the state in 1905. An image of the record may be available at:
To locate a record using available marriage indexes, follow the steps below:
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information
| Try 1st: | ||
| 1850 - 1952 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index of marriage records from individual counties. Includes marriage licenses, certificates, registers, applications, affidavits, stubs, etc. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and some FamilySearch Centers. | |
| Next try: | ||
| 1850 - 1945 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index of marriage records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and some FamilySearch Centers. | |
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |
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 view the microfilm at the FamilySearch Library or possibly a FamilySearch Center.
- 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.
Marriages after 1952
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information
For marriages that exist during this time period, try the following database.
| California Marriage Databases - Includes Indexes Only | ||
| Try 1st: | ||
| 1949-1959 at VitalSearch-ca.com | $; index only, no images | |
| Try 2nd: | ||
| 1960-1985 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to marriage records. | |
| Next try: | ||
| Ancestry Databases - Includes Index Only | ||
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| 1960 - 1985 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |
| 1960 - 1985 - use your own Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
| To Order Marriage Certificates | |||
| County Registrar and Recorder offices | Vital Records office of the California Dept of Public Health | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Has an expedited service on Vital Chek | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
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 may 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.
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