How do I get a certified copy of a Los Angeles County marriage record?
Confirm that Los Angeles County issued the marriage license, choose the correct copy type, and request it through the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) online, by mail, or at an in-person appointment. The published County copy fee is $19 per copy; online orders have additional charges.
If you need the record for identification or a name change, make sure you request an appropriate certified copy. An informational certified copy cannot establish identity.
Independent information: This website is not affiliated with RR/CC. We do not search confidential records, accept identity documents or payments, or issue marriage certificates.
Confirm That Los Angeles County Holds the Record
RR/CC maintains marriage records for licenses issued in Los Angeles County since 1852. The issuing county matters, even if the ceremony took place somewhere else.
If another California county issued the license, request the record from that county. If it was issued outside California, contact the responsible records authority for that jurisdiction.
For a recent marriage, confirm that the completed license has been returned and recorded. A copy is not automatically mailed after the ceremony. The County's recording instructions explain how recording and copy requests are handled.
Choose the Correct Copy and Check Eligibility
| Copy type | Who can request it | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Authorized certified copy of a public marriage record | A marriage party or another requester who meets a legally authorized category. | You must establish eligibility and satisfy the identity requirements for your request method. |
| Informational certified copy of a public marriage record | Requesters who are not eligible for an authorized copy, or who choose the informational option. | Marked as informational and not valid to establish identity. |
| Certified copy of a confidential marriage record | The parties to the marriage, or another person through a court order. | No informational certified copies are issued. |
Authorized public-record requesters include the spouses, specified relatives, and qualifying government or legal representatives. Review the full County eligibility list rather than assuming any family relationship qualifies.
A parent, sibling, or adult child cannot obtain a confidential record solely because of that relationship. Ask RR/CC about the required procedure if relying on a court order.
If you do not know which license type was issued, ask RR/CC before submitting a request. Our public and confidential marriage license comparison explains the distinction.
Prepare the Information Needed to Identify the Record
Use the current application for your record type and gather:
- Both parties' names as requested on the form, including names at birth.
- The marriage date.
- The county where the license was issued.
- The number of copies requested.
- Your relationship to a marriage party or other qualifying basis for access.
- Your contact information and complete mailing address.
- The signature, identification, and sworn statement required for your request method.
Check spelling and dates against your available records. If information is uncertain, ask RR/CC how to describe it before paying for a search.
Request Online Through the County's Authorized Vendor
Start at the official online marriage-record request page and follow its link to VitalChek, the vendor that processes online orders.
- Select Los Angeles County and the correct marriage record and copy type.
- Provide the record details, requester information, and delivery address.
- Complete the requested identity-verification steps. A notarized Certificate of Identity may be required.
- Review the copy fee, vendor handling charges, and any delivery charges before paying.
- Save your order confirmation and respond to requests for additional documentation.
The County publishes processing within 20 working days from receipt for online requests. Allow additional delivery time; online ordering does not guarantee immediate issuance.
Request by Mail Using the Correct Form
The official mail-request page links to separate public and confidential record forms.
- Complete and sign the correct application.
- For an authorized certified copy, complete the Certificate of Identity and have it notarized as instructed. Follow the separate public informational-copy instructions if requesting that option.
- Include a check or money order payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for the required fee.
- Keep copies and mail the completed request to the records section below.
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
Do not send cash. Check the official page for accepted payment restrictions and current mailing instructions.
If using a notary outside California, follow the County's instructions for changing the state designation on the Certificate of Identity. For an overseas notarization question, confirm the requirements with RR/CC before mailing.
The County publishes mailing within 20 business days after receipt. Postal transit adds time.
Complete the Records Application and Book an Appointment
Use the official in-person marriage-record page to complete the records application, save its confirmation number, and book an appointment. Complete the required waiver and bring valid photo identification and payment.
This is a records-copy appointment. Do not use the marriage license or ceremony application to order a certificate copy.
| Record or copy | Published availability |
|---|---|
| Authorized copies of recorded marriages from 1995 to the present | At the scheduled appointment, subject to record availability and completed requirements. |
| Records from 1852–1994 | Mailed within 20 business days after receipt of the request. |
| All informational certified copies | Mailed within 20 business days after receipt of the request. |
Appointments are published up to three weeks in advance. Confirm that your selected branch office provides the records service you need; not every marriage-license location offers certificate copies.
Check Fees and Follow Up on Your Request
The County currently lists $19 per certified copy for both public and confidential marriage records. Online handling, delivery, notarization, or payment-method charges may add to the cost.
A search does not guarantee that a record will be found. The County issues a No Record Statement when the search is unsuccessful. Its mail and in-person instructions state that the first-copy fee for each record is nonrefundable; review the applicable refund terms before ordering.
If your request is delayed, check for an incomplete identity statement, missing payment, incorrect record details, or a recent marriage awaiting recording. Have your order reference, submission date, and any correspondence ready when contacting the County or online vendor.
For County assistance, call 800-201-8999 and follow the birth, death, and marriage records prompts. The telephone line provides assistance; certificate orders are not taken by telephone. See the official contact page for other contact options.
For broader guidance, see our Los Angeles County marriage records page. Submit applications, identity documents, and payments only through the designated County or authorized-vendor channels; submissions to this website do not reach RR/CC.