One of the first things I wanted to know about getting married in San Diego was how to get a marriage license. When I got married, I found the whole process from applying for a marriage license, to filing the license, to changing my name, to obtaining copies my marriage license all to be pretty confusing. So I figured I do some research and put the steps for obtaining a marriage license in San Diego County here keeping it as simple as possible for you.

You can apply for a marriage license in San Diego up to 90 days before your wedding day. You can get married as soon as you have a marriage license.

You can view and download a copy of a marriage license application here.

Information you need to know before you start filling out the marriage license application:
• Where each of your parents were born (city and state)
• The names of your parents including your mother’s maiden name.

You will need the following documents to file your marriage license:
• Current identification - if it is expired, they cannot issue the marriage license.
Types of identification that will work:
• A current Driver’s License (no temporary or interim extensions accepted)
• A current Passport
• A current Military identification card
• A current State identification card

Couples applying for a marriage license must be unmarried:
• If you were previously married and the dissolution is not yet final, even if it will be final before the wedding date you will not be issued a marriage license.
• If you are in a State Registered Domestic Partnership (SDRP) you may not enter into a marriage or be issued a license with someone other than your registered domestic partner, unless the most recent domestic partnership has been terminated or a final judgment of dissolution or nullity has been entered.
• If the dissolution was final within the past 90 days, you will need to provide a copy of your final judgment.

An appointment is required to obtain a marriage license and/or civil ceremony.
Appointment line hours are from 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.
To schedule an appointment for the Downtown, San Marcos and El Cajon offices, call (619) 237-0502.
Walk–in marriage license services are not available. Couples must have an appointment.

HOURS/OFFICE LOCATIONS
County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, Ste 273, San Diego, CA 92101, (619)237-0502, Open: Monday – Friday 8:00 – 4:00.
San Marcos, 141 E. Carmel St., San Marcos, CA 92078, (619)237-0502, Open: Monday – Friday 8:00 – 4:00.
El Cajon, 200 S. Magnolia Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020, (619)237-0502, Open: Monday – Friday 8:00 – 4:00.

The cost of a non-confidential marriage license is $50.00 and the cost of a confidential marriage license is $55.00. Some Clerk’s Offices don’t accept debit / credit cards so bring cash just in case.

You have to apply together and you have to be over the age of 18. You do not need witness to apply for a marriage license.

There is a portion of the form to input your “new” name should you decide to change it when you get married. You have the right to change your middle and last name under the following guidelines:

Each party to the marriage may adopt any of the following last names:
• Current last name of the other spouse.
• Last name of either spouse given at birth.
• A name combining into a single last name all or a segment of the current last name or last name of either spouse given at birth.
• A hyphenated combination of last names.

Each party to the marriage may adopt any of the following middle names:
• Current last name of either spouse,
• Last name of either spouse given at birth.
• A hyphenated combination of the current middle name and the current last name of the person or spouse.
• A hyphenated combination of the current middle name and the birth last name of the person or spouse.

NOTE: You may not change your first name using this process. IMPORTANT: You may not amend the marriage license
after it has been issued to add or change the name you wish to be known as after you are married. The name you
indicate on the marriage license application will be your name on the marriage license/certificate and cannot be
changed by the County Clerk.

If you choose to change your name your work has just begun. I’ll go over the tasks you’ll need to complete to get all your documents in order and to officially change your name on paper and plastic in another post.

Once you’ve applied for your license all you need to do is get married [within 90 days of applying]! On your wedding day, you’ll sign your marriage certificate along with your witness and your officiant. After the ceremony, it must be returned to the office where you got the license for recording. Usually the officiant will handle this for you.

Approximately two weeks after your license is filed you will be able to receive certified copies of your marriage certificate for $14 each. You can order them by mail or pick them up in person. The application to request your marriage record can be found here. If you choose to pick them up in person you might need to make an appointment so call ahead. If requesting the certificate by mail, you’ll need to print out the form and have an authorized notary seal the form before mailing it in.

If you have any other questions you look at the San Diego County Clerk’s office website.