Marriage records in Santa Clara County, California, are available through several channels: online tools, the county registrar's office, an in-person visit, or a mail request. SantaClaraCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, certified copies are issued by the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's office, and at the state level by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Below are practical details on searching, ordering, and obtaining these documents.
Santa Clara Marriage Records Search
In California, marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder. In Santa Clara County, this function is performed by the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder office, which retains marriage licenses, returned and registered marriage certificates, as well as historical records related to marriages conducted within the county.
The collection includes:
- Issued marriage licenses
- Registered marriage certificates, returned by officiants after the ceremony
- Confidential marriage licenses — access to them is restricted according to California Family Code § 511
For a basic search of family law-related cases, you can use the online case search system of the Santa Clara County Superior Court. However, this system covers court cases (divorces, custody, etc.), not directly marriage licenses. For searching marriage records specifically, contact the County Clerk-Recorder.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Santa Clara
The fee amounts are set according to the California Health and Safety Code and the County Clerk-Recorder's fee schedule. Below are the current fees:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a marriage certificate | $15 |
| Each additional certified copy (in one order) | $3 |
| Informational (uncertified) copy | $15 |
| Search by mail request (search fee — included in the copy cost) | Included |
Processing time depends on the method of request submission. In-person requests are usually processed the same day. Mail requests may take from two to four weeks. For expedited receipt of copies at the state level, CDPH offers rush processing for an additional fee.
Note: Certified copies of confidential marriage licenses are issued only to the spouses named in the document or by court order.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Santa Clara
Online
At the state level, certified copies can be ordered through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) portal. This option is convenient if you cannot visit the office in person. Additionally, the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder accepts online orders through its website — check current availability on the registrar's office page.
In Person
Visit the Clerk-Recorder's office at the address below. Bring a valid photo ID. Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Clerk-Recorder's office address. Include in the envelope:
- A letter stating the full names of the spouses and the approximate date of marriage
- A copy of your photo ID
- A check or money order for $15 for the first copy (plus $3 for each additional), made payable to "Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder"
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
If you need information on family cases, including divorce or paternity establishment, the Santa Clara County Superior Court handles these categories separately from marriage records. Additional information on obtaining certified copies of divorce documents can be found on the CDPH divorce records page.
For current business hours and additional questions, call (408) 299-5688. The resource SantaClaraCourt.us can also be useful for initial public record searches in the county.