Where do I go to obtain a marriage license
County of Kern
Auditor-Controller-County Clerk
Mary B. Bedard
1115 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301-4639
Regular Office Hours 8:00am-5:00pm Mon-Fri
Open to the public 8:30am-4:00pm Mon-Fri
Public Lic
This application must be filled at the county clerk’s office, information must be entered in their computer.
Confidential Marriage Lic
This application must be filled at the county clerk’s office, information must be entered in their computer.
Topics Covered
How do we obtain a marriage license?
Is a blood test required?
What do I need to get a marriage license?
Marriage license types
Application for a Marriage License
When does a marriage license expire?
What happens to the license after the ceremony?
Can the marriage ceremony be performed by the Kern County Clerk’s office?
What You Should Know About The Name Equality Act of 2007
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How do we obtain a marriage license?
Licenses are issued Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the County Clerk’s office located in the Kern County Administrative building. To purchase a marriage license, both parties must appear together with a picture ID. Once there, you will be instructed to complete the form through one of their computers.
Kern County Administrative Building
1115 Truxtun Ave, 1st Floor
Bakersfield, Ca 93301
(661) 868-3743
Is a Blood test required to obtain a Marriage License?
No, a blood test is no longer required.
What do I need to get a marriage license?
If you are 17 years of age or younger, you must call the Kern County Probation Department at (661) 868-4313 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 government issued 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 government issued 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.
If your divorce was finalized within the last 90 days, you must provide final judgment of dissolution 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 TYPES –
PUBLIC LICENSE
» Public record
» License good for 90 days
» License can be used throughout the state of California
» Current fee is $80 “Effective May 14, 2016″
» Couple must be living together and both must be at least 18 years of age.
CONFIDENTIAL LICENSE
» Not available for public inspection
» License good for 90 days
» License can only be used in the county where purchased
» Current fee is $94.00 “Effective May 14, 2016″
» Couple must be living together and both must be at least 18 years of age.
Application for a Marriage License
You complete the application process at the county clerk’s office. You will be completing the information on one of their computers. Do not complete any forms ahead of time, because you will still need to complete the information on one of their computers.
When does a marriage license expire?
The marriage license is only good for 90 days from the date issued. If not used within 90 days, a new license must be obtained.
What happens to the license after the ceremony?
Public Marriage Licenses
The license should be completed by the person performing the ceremony and returned to the Kern County Recorder’s Office within 10 days from the ceremony. The license is recorded and a certified copy will be made available to you within approximately 10-14 business days after it is received. The fee for a certified copy of your Public Marriage License is $25.00. If you need a certified copy of your Public Marriage License, please stop by the address below or call:
The Kern County Recorder’s Office
1655 Chester Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-6400
KERN COUNTY RECORDER ONLINE
Confidential Marriage Licenses
A certified copy of a Confidential Marriage License may be purchased 8:30am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday by only the parties to be married. Photo I.D., such as a California Driver’s License, is required. The fee for a certified copy of a Confidential Marriage License is $15.00. The Kern County Clerk’s Office accepts cash, money orders, bank imprinted personal checks made payable to the Kern County Clerk, or credit cards.
The license should be completed by the person performing the ceremony and returned to the Kern County Clerk’s Office within 10 days from the ceremony. Certified copies will be available within 5-7 business days after it is received.
Kern County Clerk
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 1st Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3743
Can the marriage ceremony be performed by the Kern County Clerk’s office?
The Kern County Clerk’s office does not perform ceremonies.
Kern County Clerk’s Office
1115 Truxtun Ave, 1st Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3743
Fee Schedule
MARRIAGE LICENSES
Public Marriage License
$68.00
Confidential Marriage License
$80.00
Duplicate Marriage License (to replace lost or damaged license prior to recording)
$25.00
Certified Copy of Confidential Marriage License
*available to couple only
$25.00
Amendment & Certified Copy of Confidential Marriage License after 1 year (or longer)
*available to couple only
$25.00