Marriage License
Getting a marriage license in Riverside County requires completing the application process through the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and meeting specific identification, eligibility, and appointment requirements. This guide explains the types of marriage licenses available, how to prepare for an appointment, what documents are needed, how public and confidential licenses differ, and what steps follow after a license is issued.
Marriage License Services Through the County Clerk-Recorder
The Riverside County Clerk’s Office handles marriage license applications and provides information about public marriage licenses, confidential marriage licenses, and civil marriage ceremonies. Marriage licenses are issued in person at Riverside County Clerk public service offices, and appointments are recommended before arriving.
Applicants can review the official marriage license requirements, application instructions, and available services through the Riverside County marriage services page. The county provides separate information for public and confidential marriage licenses because the requirements and record access rules are different.
Before visiting an office, both parties should complete the online application process and keep the order number, also called the SST number. Applicants must still appear in person at a Riverside County Clerk office counter to obtain the license.
Public Marriage License Requirements
A public marriage license is available to unmarried parties who meet the county’s requirements. Both individuals applying for the license must be at least 18 years old and must appear together during the appointment.
The Riverside County Clerk’s Office requires both parties to provide valid, current, government-issued picture identification. Acceptable identification examples include:
State-issued driver’s license or identification card
Military identification
Green Card
Naturalization Certificate
Passport
If either applicant has been divorced or has had a dissolution of a State Registered Domestic Partnership within 90 days of the marriage license issuance, a copy of the final dissolution is required. The county accepts a copy of the register of actions showing that the written final decree of dissolution has been entered. Divorce paperwork does not need to be certified, but a Minute Order is not accepted.
Public License Fee And Validity
The fee for a public marriage license is $111.00. After the license is issued, it remains valid for 90 days. During that period, the marriage ceremony must be performed within the State of California by an authorized officiant.
A public marriage license can be used anywhere in California. The public marriage application requires one person other than the person performing the ceremony to witness the marriage. The application provides space for a second witness if desired, but one witness is required.
Confidential Marriage License Requirements
A confidential marriage license is another option available through the Riverside County Clerk’s Office. The county advises that a public marriage license is generally preferred except in situations where keeping the marriage date confidential is important.
To apply for a confidential marriage license, both applicants must be unmarried, at least 18 years old, and appear together at the appointment with valid government-issued photo identification. The identification requirements are the same as those for a public marriage license.
Confidential marriage licenses have additional privacy rules. The license is a private record and is not open for public inspection. Certified copies of the confidential marriage license and certificate may only be issued to the married couple or to a person with a court order.
Confidential License Fee And Rules
The fee for a confidential marriage license is $122.00. Once issued, the license is valid for 90 days, and the ceremony must take place in California with an authorized officiant.
The county self-service system explains that confidential marriage licenses may only be issued to unmarried parties who are at least 18 years old and have been living together as spouses at the same address. A confidential marriage ceremony does not require witnesses.
Applicants can review the county’s official instructions through the Confidential Marriage License information page.
Application Steps Before Visiting
The marriage license process begins online before an in-person visit. Applicants should complete the online application, save the order number, schedule an appointment, and bring the required identification and payment.
Complete the online marriage application.
Keep the SST or order number.
Schedule an appointment at a Riverside County Clerk office.
Bring valid government-issued identification.
Bring payment for the selected license type.
The county accepts credit/debit card, cash, check, and money order payments for marriage license fees. Both applicants must appear together during the appointment to receive the license.
Marriage Ceremony Options
After obtaining a marriage license, couples may arrange a ceremony with an authorized officiant or schedule a civil marriage ceremony through the Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder.
The county offers civil ceremonies at Riverside Gateway, Temecula, Hemet, Palm Desert, and Blythe locations. Appointments are recommended for civil ceremonies. The Civil Marriage Ceremony information page provides details about ceremony locations and requirements.
Civil ceremony fees are $96 at county locations, except for the 14th Street Chapel in Downtown Riverside, where the fee is $138. Guest limits vary by location. The Gateway and Palm Desert offices allow up to twenty guests, the 14th Street Chapel allows up to forty guests, the Temecula outside ceremony area allows up to fifteen guests, and Hemet and Blythe locations allow up to four guests.
14th Street Chapel Ceremonies
The 14th Street Chapel in Downtown Riverside provides a dedicated location for marriage ceremonies. Chapel ceremonies are available by prepaid appointment and cost $138 for a 30-minute ceremony with up to 40 guests. The county provides additional chapel appointment information through the 14th Street Chapel page.
Marriage License Office Visits
The Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder provides marriage license services through its public service offices. Appointments are recommended, and applicants should complete their application before arriving.
Available appointment locations include Riverside, Palm Desert, Temecula, Hemet, and Blythe offices. The county appointment system provides location-specific scheduling information through the Riverside ACR appointment system.
Common Marriage License Mistakes
Applicants can avoid delays by checking identification requirements, completing the online application before arriving, and bringing both parties together for the appointment. A marriage license cannot be issued if one applicant is absent.
Applicants who recently completed a divorce or dissolution of a State Registered Domestic Partnership should make sure they bring the required final dissolution documentation when applicable. A Minute Order is not accepted as a replacement for the required final dissolution documentation.
Couples should also confirm whether a public or confidential marriage license matches their needs before applying. Public marriage licenses are available as public records, while confidential marriage licenses have restricted access rules.
Marriage Certificate Records
After a marriage license is issued and the ceremony is completed, the Riverside County Clerk-Recorder can provide certified copies of marriage certificates when the marriage license was issued in Riverside County.
The county provides information about ordering marriage certificates through the Riverside County Vital Records page. The office issues authorized and informational copies of vital records. Informational copies are not acceptable for legal purposes.
Marriage certificate requests may be completed online, in person, by mail, or through county-approved drop box locations. Applicants requesting authorized copies may need identity verification or additional documentation depending on the request method.
Riverside County Marriage License Offices
Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Phone: (800) 696-9144
Phone: (951) 486-7000
Marriage License FAQs
Do both applicants need to appear together for a marriage license?
Yes. Both parties must be present together during the appointment to obtain a Riverside County marriage license. Before visiting a Riverside County Clerk office, applicants should complete the online application and keep the order number, also called the SST number. The county requires applicants to appear in person at the office counter even after completing the online form. Details about the application process are available through the official Public Marriage License instructions.
What identification is accepted for a Riverside County marriage license?
Each applicant must bring valid, current, government-issued picture identification. Riverside County accepts identification such as a state-issued driver’s license or identification card, military identification, Green Card, Naturalization Certificate, or passport. Applicants should make sure their identification is current before scheduling their appointment to avoid delays during the application process.
How long is a marriage license valid after it is issued?
A Riverside County marriage license is valid for 90 days after issuance. The marriage ceremony must take place within the State of California during that period and must be performed by an authorized officiant. Couples should plan their ceremony date carefully to ensure the license remains valid when the marriage takes place.
What is the difference between public and confidential marriage licenses?
A public marriage license can be used anywhere in California and requires one witness other than the person performing the ceremony. A confidential marriage license is a private record and is not open for public inspection. Confidential licenses are available only to unmarried parties who are at least 18 years old and have been living together as spouses at the same address. No witnesses are required for a confidential marriage ceremony. More details are available on the official Confidential Marriage License page.
Can I schedule a civil ceremony after receiving my license?
Yes. Riverside County offers civil marriage ceremonies at several county locations, including Riverside Gateway, Temecula, Hemet, Palm Desert, and Blythe. Appointments are recommended, and couples should complete their marriage license application before booking a ceremony appointment. Information about ceremony options is provided on the official Civil Marriage Ceremony page.