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Orange County, California marriage license: fee, offices and what to bring
What official pages say about getting a marriage license in Orange County, California: the $61 fee, where to go, appointments, ID and who must appear. A fact is linked to the page it was read on.
Orange County marriage license at a glance
Fee: The county lists $61 for a public marriage license and $66 for a confidential marriage license. There are no refunds for expired licenses or changed plans.
Where to go: Old Orange County Courthouse (Marriage Services), 211 West Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701, or the 2 other offices in the table below.
Appointment: Marriage licenses are available by walk-in or by appointment. Appointments are highly recommended and have priority; walk-in service is first come, first served.
Orange County marriage license: what the office asks for
Issued by the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department. The lines below restate official pages, linked with the date they were read. Last checked November 13, 2026. Fees and hours change, and this is not legal advice: confirm with the office before you go.
- Fee
- The county lists $61 for a public marriage license and $66 for a confidential marriage license. There are no refunds for expired licenses or changed plans. (Source: ocrecorder.com, checked November 13, 2026)
- How to pay
- Payment can be made by cash, credit or debit card, check, cashier's check or money order. Checks and money orders are payable to the County of Orange. (Source: ocrecorder.com, checked November 13, 2026)
- Appointment
- Marriage licenses are available by walk-in or by appointment. Appointments are highly recommended and have priority; walk-in service is first come, first served. (Source: ocrecorder.com, checked November 13, 2026)
- Online application
- Couples must complete the marriage license application online before visiting any of the offices, whether walking in or booking an appointment. (Source: ocrecorder.com, checked November 13, 2026)
- ID and documents to bring
- Each person must present one valid, non-expired government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. If divorced within the last 90 days, bring a copy of the divorce decree. (Source: ocrecorder.com, checked November 13, 2026)
- Who must appear
- The couple must appear together in person. (Source: ocrecorder.com, checked November 13, 2026)
- Civil ceremonies
- Civil ceremonies cost $28 and are performed at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and the Anaheim and Laguna Hills branch offices, only for couples who obtained their license from this department. (Source: ocrecorder.com, checked November 13, 2026)
- Bring your own witness
- For a ceremony at the office with a public marriage license, the couple must provide at least one witness. The department will not provide witnesses under any circumstances. (Source: ocrecorder.com, checked November 13, 2026)
- Residency, blood test and age
- There are no citizenship or residency requirements and no blood tests are required. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. (Source: ocrecorder.com, checked November 13, 2026)
Where to get a marriage license in Orange County
| Office | Address | Hours | Source, checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Orange County Courthouse (Marriage Services) | 211 West Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | ocrecorder.com Nov 13, 2026 |
| North County Branch Office (Anaheim) | 222 S. Harbor Blvd., Ste. 110A & 110B, Anaheim, CA 92805 | Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | ocrecorder.com Nov 13, 2026 |
| South County Branch Office (Laguna Hills Civic Center) | 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 150 & 160, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 | Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | ocrecorder.com Nov 13, 2026 |
Official links
How Orange County compares with the California rule
Orange County lists $61. The California page shows $91, read from Los Angeles County, $30 more.
- California waiting period
- None. The Siskiyou County Clerk states there is no waiting period between receiving a marriage license and the ceremony. (Source: siskiyoucounty.gov, checked November 12, 2026)
- How long a California license is valid
- The license is valid for 90 days. (Source: lavote.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
California marriage license: fee, waiting period and how to apply has the state’s other rules: witnesses, who may officiate, age and certified copies.
Common questions
How much is a marriage license in Orange County, California?
The county lists $61 for a public marriage license and $66 for a confidential marriage license. There are no refunds for expired licenses or changed plans. Payment can be made by cash, credit or debit card, check, cashier's check or money order. Checks and money orders are payable to the County of Orange.
Where do you get a marriage license in Orange County, California?
The Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department issues it. Old Orange County Courthouse (Marriage Services), 211 West Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) North County Branch Office (Anaheim), 222 S. Harbor Blvd., Ste. 110A & 110B, Anaheim, CA 92805 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) South County Branch Office (Laguna Hills Civic Center), 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 150 & 160, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Do you need an appointment for a marriage license in Orange County, California?
Marriage licenses are available by walk-in or by appointment. Appointments are highly recommended and have priority; walk-in service is first come, first served. Couples must complete the marriage license application online before visiting any of the offices, whether walking in or booking an appointment.
Do both people have to be there to get a marriage license in Orange County, California?
The couple must appear together in person.
What do you bring for a marriage license in Orange County, California?
Each person must present one valid, non-expired government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. If divorced within the last 90 days, bring a copy of the divorce decree.
Next
Counties next to Orange County
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