Kern County
Marriage License Requirements

California Code §§ 300-500 FAM

Public license Fee: $82.00
Confidential License Fee: $94.00

Kern County Administrative Building
1115 Truxtun Avenue, First Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
661.868.3743
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. / M – F
Marriage Licenses submitted on lobby computers only.

OR

Kern County Administrative Building
400 N China Lake Blvd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
661.868.3743
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. / M – F
Marriage licenses by appointment only.

(except for Court Approved Holidays)

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Application: English | Spanish

Before a marriage license can be issued, First Person and Second Person must bring in a valid photo I.D. (e.g., drivers license, military I.D., passport, or green card, etc.)

There are two different types of marriage licenses in California, and they can be obtained in two different ways.

Confidential Marriage License and a Public Marriage License:

• A “public” California marriage license is a marriage license that is available to the public for viewing.
• A “confidential” marriage license allows all the personal information on a marriage license to be protected from public view. Only a court order or a notarized application by either spouses can obtain a copy of the information.

The following information is required on a marriage license application.

For both spouses, or party A and party B, the information needed for marriage license requirements is below.

• A valid driver’s license or a DMV issued Identification Card. If you do not have either of these, you must provide a certified copy of your birth certificate and another acceptable form of picture I.D.
• To obtain a Confidential Marriage License, party A and party B must be living together as a married couple and both must be at least 18 years of age. The same I.D. requirements as mentioned above are applicable.

Marriage ID Requirement California: ✔ Get Copy Of Birth Certificate

A valid photo I.D. is required (e.g., drivers license, military I.D., passport, or green card, etc.)

Marriage Waiting Period Requirement California:

There is no waiting period. You will receive your marriage license immediately after you submit your application.

Marriage Residency Requirement California:

You do not need to be a California resident to marry in Kern County.

Previous Marriages: ✔ Search Marriage | Divorce Records

• If your divorce was finalized within the last 90 days, you must provide proof of court order when applying for a license.
• If you are in a SRDP(State Registered Domestic Partnership as registered with the Secretary of State), pursuant to Family Code, Section 298.5(c), no person who has filed a Declaration of Domestic Partnership may enter a marriage with someone other than their registered domestic partner unless the most recent domestic partnership has been terminated or a final judgment of dissolution or nullity has been entered, or the domestic partnership terminated due to death of one of the domestic partners.

Marriage License Fee California:

It will cost you $68 for a public license and $80 for a confidential license. Preferred method of payment is by cash. For guidance on additional methods of payment, please call ahead.

Proxy Marriages California:

Marriage by proxy is NOT allowed in California. Family Code, Section 420(a), requires the two parties, marriage officiant and witness if applicable be physically present together in the same location for the marriage to be performed.

Cousin Marriages California:

Yes. First and second cousins may legally marry in California.

Common Law Marriages California:

No.

Marriage Blood Test California:

Blood tests are NOT required to obtain a marriage license in California.

Name Change California:

Getting a marriage license with your new name on it does not mean your name has automatically changed. If you need to change your last name, you can use an online marriage name change kit.

Marriage Age Requirement California: ✔ Get Copy Of Birth Certificate

• If you are 17 years of age or younger, you must call the Kern County Probation Department at 661.868.3743 before you can purchase a marriage license.
• If you are 18 years of age or older and would like to purchase a PUBLIC license, you will need a driver’s license or some form of valid government issued photo ID. Both parties must be present when obtaining a public marriage license.
• If you are 18 years of age or older and are obtaining a CONFIDENTIAL marriage license, you will need a driver’s license or some form of valid government issued photo ID. Both parties must be present when obtaining a confidential marriage license.

For further information, please call the County Clerk’s Office at 661.868.3743.

Marriage Officiants: » Affordable California Wedding Officiants

California Family Code, Section 400 states the persons authorized to solemnize marriage ceremonies in California are as follows:

• A priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination.

• A judge or retired judge, commissioner of civil marriages or retired commissioner of civil marriages, commissioner or retired commissioner, or assistant commissioner of a court of record in this state.

• A judge or magistrate who has resigned from office.

• Any of the following judges or magistrates of the United States.

• A justice or retired justice of the United States Supreme Court.

• A judge or retired judge of a court of appeals, a district court, or a court created by an act of Congress the judges of which are entitled to hold office during good behavior.

• A judge or retired judge of a bankruptcy court or a tax court.

• A United States magistrate or retired magistrate.

• A legislator or constitutional officer of this state or a member of Congress who represents a district within this state, while that person holds office.

The person solemnizing the marriage must return the original marriage license to the County Clerk or County Recorder as applicable within 10 days of the date of the ceremony. Addresses should be on the county site.

You will NOT receive a copy of your marriage license after you have been married unless you request and pay for a certified copy from the County Clerk or County Recorder as applicable.

ALL information on the marriage license MUST be legible, unambiguous and reproducible. DO NOT change any information on the license, cross out information, use white out, etc., as that will require the payment for and issuance of a duplicate marriage license. Contact the County Clerk’s Office if you have questions about completing the marriage license and/or incorrect information contained on the marriage license.

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Marriage Witnesses California:

The public marriage license requires the signature of one witness,
and if desired, has a place for an additional witness. No more than two
witnesses may sign on the public marriage license. Only one signature
per line is allowed. No witnesses may sign on the confidential marriage
license.

Expiration Date of Marriage License California:

• Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you do
  not get married within 90 days, the license will no longer be valid. You must
  purchase a new license.
• Public Marriage License can be used throughout the state of California.
• Confidential Marriage License can be used throughout the state of California (Effective January 1, 2015).

Copy of Certificate of Marriage License

California birth, death, fetal death, still birth, marriage and divorce records are maintained by the California Department of Public Health Vital Records.

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. For more information regarding California marriage license laws please visit hwww.co.kern.ca.us.