Kern County Marriage License Application & Information
County of Kern
Auditor-Controller-County Clerk

Ann K. Barnett
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

Applications for a Marriage License

Marriage License Application (English)
Marriage License Application (Spanish)

Application for a Confidential Marriage License (English)

Solicitud para licencia de Matrimonio Confidencial (en Espanol)

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 the bride and groom must appear together. You only need to make an appointment if you plan to have the wedding performed in our office. To make an appointment, call the County Clerk's Office at the phone number listed below.

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 goverment issued ID. Both the bride and groom 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 goverment issued ID. Both the bride and groom 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 proof of court order when applying for a license.


- MARRIAGE LICENSE TYPES -

PUBLIC LICENSE
» Public record
» License good for 90 days
» License can be used throughout the state of California
» Current fee is $67.00

CONFIDENTIAL LICENSE
» Not available for public inspection
» License can only be used in the county where purchased
» Current fee is $80.00
» Couple must be living together as husband and wife and both must be at least 18 years of age.

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

When the ceremony is performed at our office, we will send it to the Kern County Recorder's Office. Certified copies should be available within 10-14 business days at the Kern County Recorder's Office.

When the ceremony is performed outside of the County Clerk's Office, 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 $13.00. 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 the bride or groom only. Photo I.D., such as a California Driver's License, is required. The fee for a certified copy of a Confidential Marriage License is $13.00. The Kern County Clerk's Office accepts cash, money orders, bank imprinted personal checks made payable to the Kern County Clerk, or credit cards.

If the ceremony is performed at the County Clerk's Office, a certified copy of the marriage license may be obtained that day.

When the marriage is performed outside of the County Clerk's Office, 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 availiable 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 our office?

The Kern County Clerk's office performs civil wedding ceremonies by appointment. The ceremony room is decorated and provides seating for 15 guests. Cameras are allowed. Rings may be exchanged during the ceremony and those attending may dress casually or formally. The fee to perform the ceremony is $30.00 in addition to the cost of the marriage license. Please call (661) 868-3743 to schedule a ceremony.


Please feel free to contact us with any further questions you may have regarding your marriage license.

Our Address is:
Kern County Clerk's Office
1115 Truxtun Ave, 1st Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301

Or reach us by phone at: (661) 868-3743
Fee Schedule

MARRIAGE LICENSES
Public Marriage License

$67.00
Confidential Marriage License

$80.00
Weddings performed by the County Clerk's Office

$30.00
Duplicate Marriage License (to replace lost or damaged license prior to recording)

$5.00
Certified Copy of Confidential Marriage License
*available to bride or groom only

$13.00
Amendment & Certified Copy of Confidential Marriage License after 1 year (or longer)
*available to bride or groom only
$20.00