Marriage Certificate
One core function of the Office of the Assessor-Recorder is to record and maintain all public marriage licenses issued in the City and County of San Francisco.
How to Record Your Public Marriage License
After completion of the ceremony, the marriage license shall be signed by all interested parties and returned to our main office by drop box or by mail within ten (10) days after the ceremony. There is no fee for recording a marriage license and you can now submit your marriage license to the Assessor-Recorder drop box located outside City Hall at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place (the box is in the window at the Grove Street entrance). The drop box is checked daily and documents are taken directly back to Assessor-Recorder staff to process Monday – Friday 8AM – 2PM (last pick-up). Please ensure that your marriage license is securely packaged for processing.
As of July 1, 2024, you can also schedule an appointment to record your marriage license with our office.
IMPORTANT: When filling out the license, please do not alter, strikeover, write over, erase, use correction fluid, or tape; nor write or type over pre-printed lettering or dashes on the license.
If the license cannot be recorded, an affidavit and a fee are required for a duplicate marriage license through the Office of the County Clerk.
How to Obtain a Copy of Your Marriage Certificate
There are several ways you can obtain a copy of your marriage certificate:
In Person:
With a valid photo ID, you can visit our main office between the hours of 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM.
Additionally, starting July 1, 2024, you can schedule an appointment to get a copy of your marriage certificate as well.
The fee is $17 per copy and a payment can be made by cash, credit/debit (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover), personal check or money order payable to SF Assessor-Recorder.
Online (US Domestic/non-international orders):
Marriage certificates are now available to order through our online Records Manager marriage access tool. Simply fill out our online marriage application and complete the verification process to request a certified or informational copy of a non-confidential (public) marriage certificate. After verification and payment, your request will be approved for mail order processing. Please note that international shipping is not available through our online service. Acceptable payments are electronic check (eCheck), credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa), and debit card (NYCE, Pulse, STAR, Diner’s Club). *Applicable service fees apply when using a Credit/Debit Card and for ID verification.*
By Drop Box:
Step 1: Download, complete, and have your application notarized.
Step 2: Submit your notarized application, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a personal check, money order, or cashier’s check payable to the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder in the amount of $17.00 for each certificate requested (i.e: 2 copies = $34) at our drop box located outside City Hall at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place (the box is in the window at the Grove Street entrance). The drop box is checked daily and requests are taken directly back to Assessor-Recorder staff to process Monday – Friday 8AM – 2PM (last pick-up). Please ensure that your notarized application and payment are securely packaged.
By Mail:
Step 1: Download, complete, and have your application notarized.
Step 2: Send us your notarized application, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a personal check, money order, or cashier’s check payable to the San Francisco Assessor-Recorder in the amount of $17.00 for each certificate requested (i.e: 2 copies = $34) to our main office for processing.
IMPORTANT: Your request must include the date of marriage.
Online (International orders) or over the phone:
International shipping is not available through our online service and we are unable to accept payment over the phone; however, for your convenience, you can process online international and phone orders through a secure independent company; Vitalchek Network, Inc. which can be reached through its website or by phone at (800) 669-8312. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa. Please note there is a convenience fee for any requests taken online or over the phone.
NEW SERVICE: Same-Day Recording and Copies of Marriage Certificates
Couples looking to register and get a same day copy of their marriage certificate will need do the following:
- Obtain a valid San Francisco public marriage license issued by the County Clerk at least 1 business day prior to your same-day marriage copy appointment.
- Make an appointment on the Assessor-Recorder's website for the date of your wedding, or a following day when you will record your Marriage License with the Assessor-Recorder's office.
- Get married, and after the ceremony, have the marriage license signed by all the interested parties. IMPORTANT: When filling out the license, please do not alter, strikeover, write over, erase, use correction fluid, or tape; nor write or type over pre-printed lettering or dashes on the license. At your appointment, if the license cannot be recorded, an affidavit and a fee are required for a duplicate marriage license through the Office of the County Clerk.
- Complete a marriage certificate request form which can be found here. Bring your completed marriage license, marriage certificate request, and a valid photo ID to City Hall Room 190. The fee is $17 per marriage certificate copy and payment can be made by cash, credit/debit (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover), personal check or money order payable to SF Assessor-Recorder.
You may order copies of your marriage certificate 10 days after the marriage license has been received in the Assessor-Recorder's office.
You can apply for a marriage license at the Office of the County Clerk located in City Hall, Room 168.