Orange County Marriage License
How to obtain an Orange County marriage license
A marriage license is a legal document acquired by a couple prior to marriage. An Orange County marriage license can be obtained at the Orange County Clerks office. Once you have applied for your marriage license, you may pick it up at any of the four Orange County locations.
You have 90 days from the date your online application is submitted for both parties to appear together in person to complete and obtain an official marriage license.
There are a few simple steps you need to know before you begin the process of getting a marriage license. In this article I will go over important details on how to get an Orange County marriage license, how long they are valid for, and where you can use them. In addition, I will answer the most frequently asked questions about getting a marriage license in Orange County Ca.
If you are also looking to have a civil marriage ceremony at the courthouse or civic center the Orange County locations are currently only being performed for couples who obtained their marriage license from the Office of the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department. For the most up to date
Information visit Marriage Services |OC Clerk Recorder 
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Orange County Marriage License Requirments
Marriage licenses are now available for both walk-in service and by appointment
Appointments are highly recommended and can be made online.
Apply online for marriage license application
This is your first step.
Customers must complete an online marriage application prior to visiting any of the OC offices.
Who Can Apply
Citizens and non citizens
There are no citizenship or residency requirements. No blood tests required to obtain a marriage license.
Age requirment to get married
Applicants must be over 18 years old.
Valid I.D.
Appear together in person.
Couples must present valid government issued photo identification at their appointment.
Who Can Apply
Citizens and non citizens
There are no citizenship or residency requirements. No blood tests required to obtain a marriage license.
OC Marriage License Fees
Which Orange County Courthouses are open for an in-person services?
- The historic Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana
- Laguna Hills Civic Center
These 2 options are now accepting walk-ins or appointments. However, you must fill out an online marriage license application before you head over to either location.
Learn about a civil ceremony at The Old Orange County Courthouse or Laguna Hills Civic Center wedding
Marriage license fees
Marriage License $ 61.00
Confidential Marriage License $ 66.00
Marriage Ceremony $ 28.00
Appointments
Do I need an appointment to get my marriage license? Civil Ceremony?
An appointment can be made online along with a marriage license. This is highly recommended for an easier process. However, walk-in appointments are now allowed at the Old Orange County Courthouse and the Laguna Hills Civic Center for your marriage license and civil ceremony. Walk-ins are on a first come first serve basis. Keep in mind, priority is given to customers with an appointment.
Get all the details here for an Orange County civil marriage ceremony.
For those looking to have a marriage ceremony performed, you must complete your marriage license application before visiting our offices at https://ocweddings.ocrecorder.com/#/.
About Marriage License
Can an Orange County marriage license be used in counties in California?
Yes. County clerks issue these licenses, which can be used anywhere in the state. Additionally, this license requires at least one witness at the ceremony, and you must file the license in the county in which you first obtained it to be registered at the County Recorder's Office.

Orange County marriage license requirements
- A marriage license is only valid for 90 days from the issue date
- There are no citizenship or residency requirements
- You don't need a blood test to obtain a marriage license
- Applicants must be over 18 years old
- Both parties must show a valid I.D. a driver's license, passport
- Identification issued by a government agency will also be accepted
- All documents must be in English
- Both parties must be present
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
How do I get married at the courthouse in Orange County
- Couples must complete their marriage application online prior to visiting any of our offices.
- Couples must present valid government issued photo identification at their appointment.
- Ceremony rooms are open to the public. A maximum of ten guests are allowed to attend a wedding ceremony.
- Online appointments can be made for a civil ceremony.
- Must bring at least one witness.
- Both couples must be able to read and speak english.
- The department does not provide translation services or witnesses.
- At this time you must have an Orange County marriage license to get married at the courthouse.
- Payments can be made by credit/debit card, cash, check or money order.
Top 3 Orange County courthouses for a civil ceremony
Discover the best courthouses for an Orange County civil ceremony.
OC Clerk-Recorder Department Information Line (714) 834-2500
Where can I have a courthouse wedding or city hall wedding in Orange county?
The best place for civil marriage ceremony is Laguna Beach City Hall. One thing to note here you must bring an Orange County Marriage license with you. The city hall does not issue them at their location. Ceremonies take place outside City hall or next door in the garden. Get all the details about a Laguna Beach City Hall marriage ceremony here.
The Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana or at the Laguna Hills Civic Center. offer in-person marriage services including civil marriage ceremonies. Laguna Hills Civic Center sometimes referred to as the Laguna Hills Courthouse has a brand new room for indoor ceremonies. There is an outdoor location for ceremonies that is offered dependent on the weather and time of day. The old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana has ceremony rooms that can accommodate up to 10 people. Some Saturdays are available check official website for details.
FAQs
Some of our most frequently asked questions from couples getting married?
Where can I get an Orange County marriage license?
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How much does an Orange County marriage license cost?
An Orange County Marriage License fee is $ 61.00
Confidential Marriage License $ 66.00
Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate $ 17.00
Payments can be made by:
cash
credit/debit card
check
cashier's check
money order
Make checks and money orders payable to the Orange County Clerk-Recorder.
How long is a marriage license valid for?
A marriage license in California is valid for 90 days from the date it was issued. There are absolutely no refunds for expired licenses. So if you plans change you will not get your money back.
Should I get an extra copy of my marriage certificate?
Yes. It is recommended you pay for a couple extra copies of a certified marriage certificate. It is most convenient to pay for a certified copy at the time of your marriage license. The cost for a copy of your marriage certificate is $17.
What is the difference between a marriage certificate and a marriage license in California?
A marriage license:
is a legal document obtained by a couple prior to marriage. Once the license is signed (during or after your ceremony)
A marriage certificate:
is a legal document that is issued after the marriage licenses is signed. This takes place during or after your ceremony and returned by an officiant to the county.
Do I need an appointment to get a marriage license in Orange County?
No you do not need an appointment. Marriage licenses are now available for both walk-in service and by appointment. It is highly recommended to make an appointment online. Appointments will be given priority over walk-in services.
Do couples need to change their name (s)?
No, couples are not required to change their name (s) to get a marriage license. However, couples must select the name each wishes to use after marriage, to be listed on the marriage license.
If couples decide to change their name (s) they must do this at the at the time of signing the marriage license. Once the license is signed only a court order can change the name(s).
Is there an age requirment to getting a marriage license in California?
Yes! Applicants must be over 18 years old to apply.
What is the difference between a public marriage license and a confidential one?
Public Marriage License
A public marriage license becomes a public record, and anyone can request an informational copy. This license can be used anywhere in the State of California. The cost for a public marriage license is $61.
Confidential Marriage License
A confidential marriage license becomes a confidential record, and the only people able to obtain information about it are the couple, except by special court order. The requirements to obtain this type of license are:
Couple must be living together prior to the marriage.
This license can be used anywhere in the State of California.
The cost for a confidential marriage license is $66.
Meet Christopher Todd: Your Orange County Photographer
Hi, I’m Christopher Todd! I launched
Christopher Todd Studios back in 2000, but my love for photography started long before that.
Born and raised in Orange County, I’ve spent my life exploring this beautiful area. From surfing in Huntington Beach to discovering the best photo spots across the OC. Over the past
25 years as a professional photographer, I’ve continued to learn, grow, and refine my craft.