Look Up Free Alameda County Marriage Records (Past & Present)

Find free Alameda County marriage records today to learn more about the citizens residing in your area.

According to California’s Public Records Act, public information can be accessed by anyone, and curious parties can save time by knowing all the available online databases and official agencies that host marriage data.

This streamlined resource gives searchers all the information needed to find marriage records efficiently in Alameda County, California.

How To Search Alameda County Marriage Records

Before attempting to find marriage records in Alameda County, individuals must gather a list of information to make their search as efficient as possible. In order to make their search more specific and streamlined, citizens should gather as many details as possible before conducting a search.

The following details are required to conduct a county-wide search:

• Bride and groom’s first and last names
• Spouses’ date of birth
• The couple’s name prior to their marriage
• Date of marriage
• Where the wedding took place (city or county information)
• County where the marriage license was created

Using that information, citizens will be able to spend less time finding marriage records of specific individuals.

Citizens can order Alameda County records through the Clerk’s Official Marriage Records Request Form. It should be noted that this service is paid. Each certificate will cost the searcher $19 with an additional $2 charge for convenience per online order.

Upon opening the form, searchers will be asked if they purchased a confidential marriage record. According to Family Code Section 509, citizens will not be able to order confidential marriage certificates unless they are authorized parties.¹

These authorizations are made on the official certificate, so if an individual’s name is not on it, they will not be able to order the record.

If the couple did not order a confidential record, they can order either an informational or unrestricted copy. An unrestricted copy is used to establish the couple’s identity but these can only be requested by the following people:

• The person listed on the certificate
• A legal guardian or parent
• Law enforcement agencies
• Child
• Grandparent
• Grandchild
• Spouse
• Sibling
• Domestic partner
• Executor (an attorney representing the person listed on the certificate)

On the other hand, an informational record is not a valid method used to identify the couple’s identity. The certificate itself will contain all the same information as an unrestricted copy, however, the only difference is that there will be a legend covering the face.

After filling in the previous sections, citizens will need to add the following information to start a search:

• Both spouses’ first and last names
• Date of marriage
• Number of certified copies

Curious parties can also visit the Alameda County Clerk’s Office in person to submit public record requests. The County Clerk can be contacted or visited using the following information:

Alameda County Clerk Office
1106 Madison St.
Oakland, CA 94607

Phone: +1-888-280-7708
TDD: +1-510-444-1396
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

The Alameda County Clerk-Recorder can also be contacted through Email in case citizens need to ask any questions.

Furthermore, to request marriage records, searchers can use the Alameda County Social Services Agency’s (ACSSA) public record request form to place an order.³

Upon submitting the form, searchers will have to wait for 10 days to receive a reply. If additional time is needed, the ACSSA will email the requestor to inform them about it. While the request form is free, any duplicate paper records will cost $0.10 per page and if citizens are getting the records mailed to them, they will be charged based on the first-class mail postage rate.

Similarly, the same process can be done by mailing the ACSSA or by visiting one of their satellite office locations in person. The relevant department can be contacted via the following information:

Alameda County Social Services Agency
Attn: A004
2000 San Pablo Avenue, Suite 445
Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: (510)267-9448
Email: [email protected]

Citizens residing in the City of Alameda can put in a free request for public records using the city’s official Public Records Request online form.⁴ Here, they will be required to put in details of the request and select the relevant department. For marriage records, the ‘City Clerk’ will be the relevant department.

Likewise, they can also visit the Alameda City Clerk in person to submit their search requests. The Clerk’s contact details are listed below:

Alameda City Clerk’s Office
2263 Santa Clara Ave., 
Room 380, Alameda, CA 94501

Phone: 510-747-4800
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8 AM – 6 PM

Oftentimes, searchers will not be able to find older marriage records for genealogical purposes. The following section will provide more information on how to access archived records.

How Do I Look Up Historical or Archived Marriage Records in Alameda County California?

Citizens who are looking for historical marriage records can use the Alameda County Clerk’s Wedding Documents Form to find licenses dating as far back as 1853. The Clerk’s online form cost curious parties a total of $21 as elaborated on above.

Individuals can also visit the County Clerk’s main office to get their hands on physical copies of the marriage index. The Clerk can be contacted or visited using the following information:

Alameda County Clerk Office
1106 Madison St.
Oakland, CA 94607

Phone: +1-888-280-7708
TDD (Telecommunications for the Deaf): +1-510-444-1396
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Individuals looking to conduct statewide searches can also use the California State Archives.⁵ Unfortunately, the archives will not include information for all counties. Citizens looking to find ancient records will have to visit the State Archives in person:

California State Archives
1020 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Reference Desk: (916)653–2246
General Information: (916)653–7715
Fax: (916)653–7363
Working Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:30 AM – 4 PM

The California State Archives can also be contacted via the official contact form.

It should also be noted that ancient marriage records can also be accessed through other methods. These include visiting historical societies or libraries, checking old newspapers or visiting religious institutions.

Curious parties should note that post-1985, the state of California no longer recognizes common law marriages, and hence they will not be able to find any marital licenses for it. However, there is an exception: if the common law marriage occurred in a different state, and the couple moved to California after it, then the couple’s union is considered to be legal.

How To View Marriage Records from Other Nearby Counties or Throughout California (Statewide Search)

A search marriage records may leave you empty-handed if the wedding took place in a neighboring county instead. Individuals can find marriage records from other counties through the California Department of Public Health — Vital Records (CDPH-VR).⁶

However, requesters should note that the department only provides official copies for public marriages from 1905 to 1999 and 2008 to 2022.

Searchers should also note that the CDPH-VR does not hold any confidential marriage licenses. In order to request an official record, individuals can visit or mail the CDPH office with the following Certified Marriage Record Request Form.⁷

The form comes with its own set of instructions for any confused citizen. In order to request a sealed copy, the Sealed Records Application Form should be used.

Searchers should note that each copy will cost $17. This payment can only be made with a check or money order. For more information, citizens can visit the CPDH fee structure.⁸

The CDPH-VR also uses other third-party websites to deliver marriage records.

How To Apply for a Marriage License in Alameda County California

Couples who are looking to apply for a marriage license can do so through the Alameda County Clerk. The process can be done using the Marriage License Application Online and in-person.⁹ Before the license can be made in person, the couple should fill a Marriage License Application available on the Clerk’s official website.¹⁰

Once the application has been submitted, the couple can be accompanied by 25 guests at the County Clerk’s office. The to-be-married couple should also note that the license is only valid for 90 days after it is created. The Alameda County Clerk Office can be contacted and visited via the following information:

Alameda County Clerk Office
1106 Madison St.,
Oakland, CA 94607

Phone: +1-888-280-7708
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

In order to submit a comment or question directly to the County Clerk, citizens can use the official contact form.

Public records have always been accessible through the California Public Records Act (CPRA).¹¹ Thus, citizens on the search for Alameda County Marriage records can use this resource to find online lookup tools or to contact relevant departments for more information.