Marriage records are official government documents that verify the marriage between two individuals. As marriage records are timeless similar to birth or death records, these are considered as valuable supporting documents for a number of reasons. One can use the marriage records California to change one's name, prove the legitimacy of a kid and to serve genealogical purposes and others. For those who are interested in obtaining a marriage record in California, it is important that they distinguish whether what they need is an authorized copy or an informational copy of the marriage record. Authorized copies are given to those directly connected with the registrants and can serve as supporting documents whereas an informational copy contains the same information, however it is not valid as a supporting document.
To get a copy of the marriage records, it is important that one check if the records are available from the CDPH. The CDPH Vital Records contains marriage indexes from 1949-1986 and 1998-1999. The rest of the records are available from the County Recorder or County Clerk Office where the marriage license was issued. Public marriages and non-confidential marriage records are available for third party individuals but the copies are "informational copies" only; however, they are certified copies.
For private or confidential marriage certificates, one can check out the County of the Clerk's Office. Confidential records are restricted to the registrants themselves. The cost of the marriage indexes from the State is about $14; however, the cost may differ from one county to another. It is best practice to call the office to get the latest fee schedule.
Under the State Law (California Health and Safety Code 103526), the only people who are allowed to get a copy of authorized marriage records are those who have a relationship with the parties and those that are requesting in the performance of their duty or employment. This can be the parents, kids, siblings, spouse, law enforcers and those that are authorized to act in the parties' behalf.
To get a copy of the marriage records, one must first download all the forms required and a sworn statement from the CDPH site or the County Clerk. The sworn statement must be notarized, as the request will not be processed if the documents are incomplete. Also, include a payment fee form and the payment in money order or check. All checks must be US drawn. One can also request a money order from the USPS. Please do note that credit card and cash payments are not allowed. Cash sent together with the request will not be reimbursed should it get lost in the mail.
Processing time can take from 6 months onwards due to the high volume of requests that CDPH receives. For those who need the marriage and divorce records urgently, the fastest way to do so is to order online. Most states now offer online self-service for public records. In addition, other third party vendors also offer public record searches, which is the fastest way one can obtain the records. California has 58 counties all over and if one does not know where the marriage license was issued, it would take them some time to find the records. With online search, it would only take a few minutes or hours.
To get a copy of the marriage records, it is important that one check if the records are available from the CDPH. The CDPH Vital Records contains marriage indexes from 1949-1986 and 1998-1999. The rest of the records are available from the County Recorder or County Clerk Office where the marriage license was issued. Public marriages and non-confidential marriage records are available for third party individuals but the copies are "informational copies" only; however, they are certified copies.
For private or confidential marriage certificates, one can check out the County of the Clerk's Office. Confidential records are restricted to the registrants themselves. The cost of the marriage indexes from the State is about $14; however, the cost may differ from one county to another. It is best practice to call the office to get the latest fee schedule.
Under the State Law (California Health and Safety Code 103526), the only people who are allowed to get a copy of authorized marriage records are those who have a relationship with the parties and those that are requesting in the performance of their duty or employment. This can be the parents, kids, siblings, spouse, law enforcers and those that are authorized to act in the parties' behalf.
To get a copy of the marriage records, one must first download all the forms required and a sworn statement from the CDPH site or the County Clerk. The sworn statement must be notarized, as the request will not be processed if the documents are incomplete. Also, include a payment fee form and the payment in money order or check. All checks must be US drawn. One can also request a money order from the USPS. Please do note that credit card and cash payments are not allowed. Cash sent together with the request will not be reimbursed should it get lost in the mail.
Processing time can take from 6 months onwards due to the high volume of requests that CDPH receives. For those who need the marriage and divorce records urgently, the fastest way to do so is to order online. Most states now offer online self-service for public records. In addition, other third party vendors also offer public record searches, which is the fastest way one can obtain the records. California has 58 counties all over and if one does not know where the marriage license was issued, it would take them some time to find the records. With online search, it would only take a few minutes or hours.
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