Marriage records in Santa Cruz County, California, are available through several channels. SantaCruzCourt.us allows quick access to public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, the County Clerk-Recorder's office maintains the official registry of marriage licenses and certificates. Requests can be submitted online, in person at the registrar's office, or by mail — each method has its own requirements and processing times.
Santa Cruz Marriage Records Search
In Santa Cruz County, marriage records are maintained by the Santa Cruz County Clerk-Recorder's Office. This office issues marriage licenses, registers returned certificates, and maintains an archive of records spanning decades. The collection includes issued marriage licenses, registered marriage certificates, and confidential marriage licenses, which have restricted access according to California law.
For preliminary record searches, you can use the Official Records Inquiry system — it allows you to find index data by name or date. This database does not issue document copies but helps determine the record number before contacting the office.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Santa Cruz
The fees for copies of marriage records are set according to the California Health and Safety Code. Below are the current rates of the Clerk-Recorder's office:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy | $15 |
| Each additional copy in the same order | $3 |
| Informational (uncertified) copy | $15 |
Certified copies have legal force and are suitable for submission to government agencies, passport applications, or name changes. An informational copy contains the watermark "INFORMATIONAL — NOT A VALID DOCUMENT" and is not accepted as an official document. According to state law, a certified copy can only be obtained by an authorized person — one of the spouses, their parents, a legal representative, or a person with a notarized power of attorney. Processing time for in-person requests is usually the same day; mail requests may take two to four weeks.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Santa Cruz
There are three main ways to order a copy of a marriage certificate in Santa Cruz County.
Online
The state of California provides the ability to order certified copies of vital records through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) portal. To do this, you need to fill out an application on the CDPH website, pay the fee with a credit card, and upload a copy of your ID. Processing online orders may take several weeks.
In Person
Visit the Clerk-Recorder's office at the address listed above. Bring a valid photo ID. Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order. The copy is usually issued on the day of the request — this is the fastest option.
By Mail
Send a request to the office address, including in the envelope:
- A completed application for a copy of the marriage certificate (the form can be found on the Recorder's Office website).
- A copy of the applicant's ID.
- A check or money order for the appropriate amount, payable to Santa Cruz County Clerk-Recorder.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope.
For divorce records, wills, or probate matters related to Santa Cruz County, contact the Records & Information Division of the Superior Court or view the divorce and probate page on the registrar's website. General information about county resources can also be found on the official Santa Cruz County portal.