Learn How to Obtain California Marriage Certificates and Where They Are Filed

If you are about to apply for any document pertaining to California marriage, there are some things you ought to keep in mind. California is a territory where people were married centuries before it became a US state. Neither state nor local governments, however, maintained vital records during this time--including marriages. Chances are that many church parishes had the California marriage recorded in their books. It may be that these were transferred to county archives at some point in time.

You will find a marriage in California prior to July 1, 1905 registered only in the county where it occurred. For copies of licenses or other vital records, you will have to apply to the clerk of the relevant county.

For later records, you must write to Office of Vital Records and Statistics, Department of Health Services, 304 S Street, P.O. Box 730241, Sacramento, CA 94244-0241, or fax 800-858-5553. If for some reason the record is not maintained there, then your application will be forwarded to the respective county for your copies regarding California marriages.

Get the Application Right

•    Keep your letters concise and to the point. Never make more than one or two requests per letter.
•    Ensure that you have provided the fullest possible information.
•    For a person going by more than one name, write down all of them, including nicknames. Include alternate spellings of the name as well.
•    Be as accurate as you can about the date of a California marriage. Not sure of the date? Specify a span of years that need to be searched. Remember, if you request searches that cover many years, you will have to pay extra for them.
•    Be prepared to wait. If you do not already know how many pages there are in a deed, you will not know exactly what fees to pay. Avoid shooting in the dark and sending a specific sum.
•    Instead, send a blank check, but duly signed. Write, under the "$____" line of the check, ideally in red ink, "Not to exceed $X.00", that is, the sum you expect to pay.
•    If you do not know what charges you must pay, you will need to write two letters. The first letter should state your need, along with all the information you can provide, and a request to be sent an inventory of charges. The second should include your check for the specified amount.
•    When you first make your request, make sure to enclose a stamped and self-addressed envelope.
•    Did you know that state and county offices are not primarily meant to help you with genealogical research? Most are short-staffed, anyway. They help as a service, and hope you remember that. If you find them not as responsive as you would like, try just a little patience and courtesy!

Some Pointers on Applications for Marriage Certificate Copies

When writing for a copy of a California marriage certificate, make sure to include the following:

•    Husband’s full name (last name in caps)
•    Wife’s full maiden name (last name in caps)
•    Date of marriage
•    Place of marriage
•    Relationship to you/the applicant
•    Why the record is needed
•    Your name & address
•    Your driver's license number & state (some counties require it)
•    Your signature

Get Smart: Request Your California Marriage Certificate Online!

The Internet can today help you find your California marriage certificate. All you need to do is just click to place your application. So, there is no need to send that application through the mail anymore. Do it online and you can save a lot of time and hassles.

You may also request city-specific records, such as Sacramento marriage certificates.