California Marriage Records show marriage license applications and marriages by county, name and date. Public marriage records in California are maintained by the California Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records. Confidential marriage records are only available through the particular county office which issued the marriage license while divorce records can only be retrieved through the Superior Court of the county where the divorce decree was passed. Because of the California Public Records Act, all public records in the state are accessible by any member of the public for view and copy.

Free California marriage records can be viewed at county offices across the state and online at various responsible government websites. This information can be very useful for general research purposes. Sometimes, however, a more official or formal set of marriage records is necessary. In California, the Office of Vital Records can release public marriage records and Certificates of Record for divorces. Certified copies can be ordered only from the county and that would require a fee.

Not unlike all other states, California marriage records can be retrieved directly by DIY (do-it-yourself) or through third-party companies. Each serves its purpose and the choice is a matter of individual preference and fit. By and large, the former method saves on financial cost and may even be free-of-charge whereas the latter is employed when it is for a relatively more serious or legal purpose.

In California, all public records can be viewed at Public Health county offices. They can also be requested via email. The California Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records lists all of the pamphlets, forms and fees necessary to obtain official copies of marriage and divorce records. Unfortunately, obtaining marriage records on your own can sometimes be a lengthy and onerous process. The California Office of Vital Statistics estimates a backlog of six months when processing requests for public marriage records of California and recommends that people go directly to county offices to view records and request copies of them. Respective counties have different forms, fees and processes to retrieve this information.

Several companies can help you expedite the process of accessing and viewing state public records. They can surely help you order and receive certified copies of marriage records in a much more expeditious manner than people generally can on their own. With information that you supply, these companies can directly fill out forms and make requests for you straight from different counties as their network and infrastructure are in place for it.

Commercial public record brokers are presumptively experienced and professional when it comes to public records. They are well-versed in forms, fees and state laws and generally charge reasonable rates to help you get your desired information smoothly and quickly. They also develop and maintain live databases so people can view instant marriage records for free, in some cases.

There are now an estimated 36 million people in California and records have been kept since 1850. As a result, there are quite a few million California marriage records in existence. Locating the one that you seek precisely can therefore be quite a challenge. It's probably best to engage professional service if time and integrity of information is of the essence.