San Diego County requires an in-person appointment for a marriage license, bookable up to seven weeks ahead, and offers a combined license-and-ceremony appointment if you want to marry the same day.
| License fee | Public marriage license: $129. Confidential marriage license: $144. Civil ceremony (optional): $107. County-provided witness: $58. |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | None — California has no statewide waiting period. |
| Documents / ID required | Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants. |
| License validity | 90 days from the date of issuance (California statewide rule). |
| Where & how to apply | Schedule an appointment online through the County Clerk’s marriage portal (up to 7 weeks in advance); both applicants appear together at the appointed office. A combined “License and Ceremony” appointment is available if you want to be married on the spot. |
| Office hours | By appointment only — confirm hours for your specific office location when booking. |
Special notes
Frequently asked questions
Can we get married the same day we get our license in San Diego County?
Yes — California has no waiting period, and San Diego County offers a combined license-and-ceremony appointment so you can complete both in one visit.
How to get a marriage license in San Diego County, step by step
- Decide whether you want a public license (needs at least one witness at the ceremony) or a confidential license (available only if you and your partner are already living together as a couple, and does not require a witness).
- Book an appointment online through the County Clerk’s marriage portal. Appointments open up to seven weeks ahead and fill quickly, especially for weekend dates, so book as soon as you know your date.
- If you also want to be married the same day, choose the combined “License and Ceremony” appointment slot instead of a license-only one.
- Both applicants appear together at the appointed office — downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, San Marcos, or the East County office in Santee. (The Kearny Mesa branch does not handle marriage licenses.)
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants and pay the fee: $129 for a public license or $144 for a confidential one. Cash, check, and money order are accepted; cards carry a $2.50 surcharge.
- If you chose a ceremony too, bring your own witness or pay $58 for a county-provided one (not needed for a confidential license).
What to bring to the San Diego County office
- Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants
- Your confirmed appointment time — arriving without one risks being turned away
- Payment: $129 (public) or $144 (confidential), plus $107 for a civil ceremony and $58 for a witness if you need either
- For a confidential license: nothing extra to prove you live together — California law says proof may not be demanded, only a signed statement under penalty of perjury
When to apply for your San Diego County license
California has no waiting period, so you can marry the same day your license is issued if you booked the combined license-and-ceremony appointment. The license is valid for 90 days, so apply early enough to secure an appointment — up to seven weeks ahead — but not so early that the 90-day window runs out before your ceremony date.
After the ceremony: filing your San Diego County license and getting certified copies
Under California law, whoever performed the ceremony must return the signed license to the county recorder within 10 days. For a confidential license, it goes to the county clerk instead. Once it’s filed, you can request a certified copy through the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s marriage certificate request process. (Filing rules checked October 2026.)
You will need a certified copy for name changes and other paperwork — see our guide to what to do after the wedding.
Certified copies in San Diego County
$19 for the first certified copy (same price for each copy)
| Issued by | Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk (ARCC) |
|---|---|
| Fee details | $19 per certified copy, nonrefundable even if no record is found. Online orders add a $12.95 VitalChek handling fee and an optional $19 expedited delivery fee. |
| How to order | In person at the downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, Santee or San Marcos offices (not Kearny Mesa), no appointment; online through VitalChek; or by mail with a notarized sworn statement. |
| Timing | A copy may be available about 10 business days after the office receives the license; the form advises waiting 2 weeks after the ceremony. |
| Who can request | Registrant, parent or guardian, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner for non-confidential records; confidential records only the registrants or by court order. Only licenses issued in San Diego County. |
| Heads up | An application form dated June 2025 lists $17 per copy; the December 2025 form and the web page list $19. |
Source: San Diego ARCC - Marriage Certificate Request · checked October 2026 · How many copies do you need?
Local tips for San Diego County
- Marriage services are only offered at four branches: downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, San Marcos, and Santee. Kearny Mesa, despite being a full-service Recorder/Clerk branch for other services, does not issue marriage licenses.
- A confidential license requires no proof that you live together as a couple — just a signed statement — so it is usually faster to process than gathering documentation would suggest.
- Appointments fill up fastest around holidays and popular wedding weekends; if your date matters, book the moment your 7-week window opens.
More questions about getting married in San Diego County
Which San Diego County offices issue marriage licenses?
Downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, San Marcos, and the East County office in Santee. The Kearny Mesa branch does not offer marriage license or ceremony services.
Do we need to prove we live together for a confidential license in San Diego County?
No. California law says documentary proof of living together as a couple cannot be required or demanded — you simply attest to it on the application under penalty of perjury.
Who returns our license after the ceremony in San Diego County?
The person who performed the ceremony must return the signed license to the county recorder (or county clerk, for a confidential license) within 10 days.
Waiting periods by state → What licenses cost by state →
Last verified: August 2026
Read our general step-by-step guide →
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