San Diego County, CA courthouse wedding cost

License, ceremony and 1 copy: $255 to $270. A marriage license costs $129 for a public license or $144 for a confidential license. A courthouse ceremony costs $107. A certified copy of the marriage certificate costs $19.

Free, with no account or email. We never send what you type to vendors.

Courthouse wedding cost$255Nothing openSee the total →

Government fees

Where you'll get the license

Fees for 20 large counties and cities, copied from each clerk's own page.

License

Ceremony

By appointment at the County Administration Center, Chula Vista, San Marcos or Santee, and one Saturday a month at Santee.

The clerk provides our witness (+$58)

Certified copies

$19 each. You'll need one for each name change.

Extras (optional)

Tick what you'll pay for and add your own amount. A ticked extra with no amount stays open.

Courthouse wedding cost

$255San Diego County, CA

Courthouse wedding cost by line
Cost	Amount
Marriage licensePublic marriage license	$129
Courthouse ceremonyCivil ceremony	$107
Certified copies1 × $19	$19

Witnesses: At least 1 for a public license (the clerk can provide one for $58). None for a confidential license.

Waiting period: None. You can marry as soon as the license is issued.

How long the license lasts: 90 days, with no extensions.

Fees from the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, checked October 24, 2026. Fees change, so confirm before you go.

San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk

San Diego County, CA courthouse wedding fees

From the clerk's own pages · checked October 24, 2026
Fee	Price	What the clerk says
Marriage licensePublic marriage license	$129	“$129 Public Marriage License” Source
Marriage licenseConfidential marriage license	$144	“$144 Confidential Marriage License” SourceNot a public record, and no witness is needed.
Courthouse ceremonyCivil ceremony	$107	“$107 Civil Ceremony” SourceBy appointment at the County Administration Center, Chula Vista, San Marcos or Santee, and one Saturday a month at Santee.
Witness from the clerkIf you don't bring one	$58	“$58 Witness provided by the County Clerk” Source
Certified copy	$19 each	“$19 for each marriage certificate” Source

You'll need a certified copy for each name change (Social Security, the DMV, a passport, the bank). With 3 copies instead of 1, add $38.

Before you go

What the clerk asks of you

Ceremony: County Clerk staff perform the ceremony.
Witnesses: At least 1 for a public license (the clerk can provide one for $58). None for a confidential license.
Waiting period: None. You can marry as soon as the license is issued.
How long the license lasts: 90 days, with no extensions.

Ask the clerk

"Do we need an appointment for the license or the ceremony?"
"How many guests can come in?"
"Which payment methods do you take, and is there a card fee?"

Having a friend or a hired officiant marry you instead? Compare officiant quotes or put the license in your budget.

San Diego County courthouse wedding questions

How much is a courthouse wedding in San Diego County?

License, ceremony and 1 copy: $255 to $270. A marriage license costs $129 for a public license or $144 for a confidential license. A courthouse ceremony costs $107. A certified copy of the marriage certificate costs $19. These are the official prices of the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, checked October 24, 2026. Photos, outfits, rings or a meal afterwards are extra.

How much is a marriage license in San Diego County?

A marriage license costs $129 for a public license or $144 for a confidential license. Confidential marriage license: Not a public record, and no witness is needed.

Who performs courthouse weddings in San Diego County?

County Clerk staff perform the ceremony.

Is there a waiting period, and how long does the license last?

Waiting period: None. You can marry as soon as the license is issued. How long it lasts: 90 days, with no extensions.

Do we need a witness?

At least 1 for a public license (the clerk can provide one for $58). None for a confidential license.

Courthouse wedding cost in other counties

Compare every county side by side. Not listed? The courthouse wedding cost calculator takes your own county's fees.

Fees checked October 24, 2026. Report a fee that changed.