How to Find California Marriage Records

How to Find United States Marriages California California Marriages

• 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?	Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's marriage record: Before 1905 1905 thru 1952 After 1952 Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

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 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 Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers.
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 Family History Library and 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:
Church Records Newspapers Military Records Obituaries	Census Records Cemetery Records Death Records Bible Records

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 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.

Return to top: Choose another marriage year

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.

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 Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers.
Next try:
	1850 - 1945 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; index of marriage records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and 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 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.

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 Death 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.

Return to top: Choose another marriage year

Related Wiki Articles

• How to Find United States Birth Records
• Learn more about U.S. Death Records
• United States Record Selection Table
• U.S. Vital Records Overview
• United States Vital Records
• Locating United States Vital Records
• United States Birth Records
• United States Marriage Records
  

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