How to Find California Marriage Records
How to Find United States Marriages 
California Marriages
Statewide registration of deaths began in 1905 with general compliance by 1920.
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 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 | |
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 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
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.
| 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 Vital Records office of the California Dept of Public Health order the certificate from the state department.
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 | 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 | |
| - 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 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.