Marriage License Information
The County Clerk’s office issues marriage licenses Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. To marry in California, the couple must first obtain a marriage license from the County Clerk’s office. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or California resident to apply for a marriage license.
If you are 17 years of age or younger, you must call the Kern County Family Court Services at (661) 868-5393 before you can purchase a marriage license.
TO OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
-
Both parties must appear together at either of our offices located at:
Kern County Administrative Building
1115 Truxtun Avenue, First Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3743
Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Application is done in our lobby computers only
OR
Kern County Library
131 E Las Flores Ave
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
(661) 868-3743
Ridgecrest couples only –
- Marriage licenses are issued by appointment only. You must call the number above to make an appointment.
**Please note – the fee must be paid the day of appointment by money order, made payable to Kern County Clerk.
Please bring in a complete marriage license application the day of your appointment.
Please click here for the marriage license application
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Each person, 18 years or older, must present a valid, government issued picture
identification. To expedite the identification process, it is recommended (not
mandatory) that both parties bring a copy of their birth certificate.
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If either party has been granted a divorce or filed a Termination of Domestic
Partnership within the last 90 days, an endorsed copy of the FINAL divorce decree
or termination documents must be presented when applying for your license.
A blood test is not required.
There are two common types of marriage licenses available in the State of California: a Public License and a Confidential License.
See the chart below for specifics on each type.
|
PUBLIC LICENSE
|
CONFIDENTIAL LICENSE
|
| Public Record, available at the Kern County Recorder’s Office, approximately two weeks after ceremony |
Available ONLY to the couple named on the license (except by order of the Superior Court) at the Kern County Clerk’s Office |
| License can be used anywhere in the State of California |
License can be used anywhere in the State of California |
| Must have at least one witness at your ceremony (no age requirement but must be old enough to know they are witnessing a marriage AND be able to sign their name within the box) |
No witnesses are required at the ceremony AND no witnesses sign on the marriage license |
| Must be 18 years of age or older, or, if under 18, must have written consent from at least one parent AND present a certified copy of the court order granting permission to marry. Emancipated minors are NOT exempt from this process. |
Must be 18 years of age or older. Minors may NOT purchase a confidential marriage license |
|
Must sign an oath that you have been living together as spouses |
| Current fee is $101 |
Current fee is $123 |
NOTE: Marriage Licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you do not get married within 90 days, the license will be invalid AND you must re-apply and purchase a new license.