Getting your Marriage License, courtesy of Rev Edward Andre, Sandpiper Ceremonies:

This easy and fun minor ritual has today become an integral and memorable part of your wedding experience.

In counties OTHER than San Mateo County, look in the front of your local phonebook, in the GOVERNMENT pages (usually edged in blue) under COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, then MARRIAGE LICENSES or COUNTY CLERK for the number to call in your own county. They will provide you with all necessary information and requirements for that county . A complete list of other California counties'Court Clerks (for weddings) can be found
here.

There is no blood test.

For now, here's what you need to know:

a. You can obtain your license at any County Court Clerk/Recorder's Office in the State of California.

b. You may then take that license to any county in the State where you plan to marry.

c. Following the wedding, the officiant is required by law to complete your license and return it for filing to the county where you originally got it.

d. You must obtain your license within 90 days prior to the ceremony. Put another way, once you have your license, you must get married within the next 90 days. You may, in fact, get married on the very day you get your license.

In many counties, you may go online to complete much of the required information. In San Mateo County, for example, you can go to www.smcare.org, and follow the simple directions found there, thus saving much time when you finally go to the County Clerk to obtain your license.

Q. Where do I get my marriage license in San Mateo County?

A. At 555 County Center, Redwood City, 1st floor 650.363.4712

Directions: going south on Hwy. 101 (Bayshore Hwy.), pass the Belmont and San Carlos off ramps and take the next off ramp for Redwood City / Whipple Avenue.

At the signal, go straight ahead onto Veterans Blvd. (while Whipple Ave. turns right) and stay in the right lane for three long blocks to Middlefield Road. Turn right onto Middlefield Rd., and immediately right again into the driveway of the five story County employees parking structure. Park on the first floor only and exit to the rear.

Turn left (follow the crowd) and the first building you will come to on your left  will be 555 County Center on your left in the plaza area.

Upon entering the building, go in a straight line on the first floor all the way to the opposite end of the building, where wonderful people are waiting to help you at the Court Clerk's Marriage License desk.

Again, remember- you can go online at www.smcare.org to fill in most of the required license information before you get there.

We are getting our wedding license in Redwood City, San Mateo County. What fees are required?  And are these fees the same in all counties in the State?

No, all counties do not charge exactly the same fees, though they are quite similar.  In San Mateo County, the current fees (payable to the Court Clerk) are as follows

Marriage License:    $78.          

Q. How can I reach Court Clerks' offices(for weddings) in other counties in California?

A. Click
here for contact phone numbers for each county in California.