Congratulations on your engagement! A marriage license must be issued by the County Clerk-Recorder's Office before your wedding ceremony. The marriage license is the legal document allowing a couple to get married. Once the wedding has taken place and the license has been turned back in to the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, a marriage certificate can be purchased.
You must visit our office within seven business days of completing your online application. If you are unable to visit our office within seven business days, you must fill out a new application.
Be prepared to show a government-issued photo ID. For more information visit our FAQ page.
Please note, the time at which you purchase your license will be your only opportunity to change your middle and/or last names through the marriage license process.
After you have obtained a marriage license from our office, you will be provided a helpful information booklet that can be viewed here.
Select an authorized person to officiate your ceremony
A marriage ceremony can be performed by a person, known as an officiant, at least 18 years of age and is either:
Authorized by any religious denomination to solemnize marriages
An authorized judge or justice
An authorized civil servant
A person who has been appointed as a deputy commissioner of civil marriages for the day.
Review the marriage license for correct information
If the marriage license is lost, damaged or destroyed, you must purchase a new one for $93. The old license will be voided
Verify the issuance date. The license must have been issued within 90 days of the ceremony. You must be married before the expiration date shown on the license, or the license will be void.
Location: The marriage ceremony can be held anywhere in California, but the license must be registered in the county where it was issued.
Witnesses: A public marriage license requires at least one witness, but up to two may witness the ceremony. If you do have two witnesses, both must sign the marriage license. There is no age limit for witnesses, but they should be old enough to understand they are witnessing a marriage and be able to sign their names on the marriage license.
Consent: During the ceremony, your officiant will ask questions that prompt your consent. No specific language must be stated, but both parties must acknowledge they consent to become married to one another.
Return the completed license within 10 days of the ceremony to the County Clerk's Office at 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 105, in Visalia, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The license should be returned in person due to the significance of the original document. If that is not possible, it can be returned by mail using the return envelope in your marriage license packet.
If the marriage license is lost, damaged, destroyed or deemed unacceptable for registration by the County Clerk, the officiant must be issued a duplicate marriage license. This should be done as soon as possible. The cost is $62.
Purchase the marriage certificate
A marriage certificate is not automatically sent to you upon returning the marriage license. You can purchase a certified copy:
