Marriage License in Los Angeles County
Notice: Marriage License Fee Update
Updated fees for marriage licenses and related services are scheduled to take effect soon in Los Angeles County. The Board of Supervisors has approved updated fees that will go into effect after the Board adopts an official fee ordinance.
The last major fee updates were in 2009 (marriage licenses) and 2015 (marriage ceremonies/witnesses). The Board of Supervisors approved the fee changes based on a cost study pursuant to California Government Code section 54985, reviewed and approved by the Auditor-Controller, that confirmed current fees no longer cover service costs.
The adjusted fees ensure that marriage services remain accessible, reliable, and financially sustainable, without diverting resources away from other essential public services.
New Fees (Effective 30 Days After Official Ordinance Adoption):
Los Angeles County is committed to serving all couples with convenient locations, appointment options, and ceremony services across the County.
Marriage Licenses, Ceremonies, and Certificates: What You Need to Know
Our office provides marriage licenses to couples preparing to get married in the near future, and we also perform civil marriage ceremonies for a fee.
Once a couple has obtained a marriage license and participated in a qualified ceremony, the license becomes a marriage certificate that must be returned to our office for recording.
Our office only records marriage certificates for marriage licenses that were issued in Los Angeles County.
If your license was obtained in another California county or another state, we cannot record your certificate and will not have your marriage record on file.
Submitting a marriage license application or purchasing a marriage license does not mean you are legally married. You must take part in a civil or religious ceremony, and then ensure the completed marriage license is returned to our office for recording.
We Do Not Maintain Divorce Records
Our office does not maintain any divorce records or information. To obtain divorce record information, visit the Los Angeles Superior Court.