Monterey County Marriage and Divorce Records

Two Offices, Two Records in Monterey County

The most common Monterey marriage and divorce mistake is going to the wrong office. The County Clerk-Recorder issues marriage licenses and certified marriage certificates. The Superior Court keeps the divorce case files. The court's civil/family/probate records page tells anyone looking for a marriage certificate or a death certificate to contact the Recorder-County Clerk at 168 West Alisal Street, while divorce records remain at the court.

Monterey County Marriage License Requirements

The County Clerk's marriage license page sets the rules. No blood test is required. Both parties must appear together in person, with proof of age and identification. A valid state driver's license, state ID, or passport works alone. A temporary driver's license, military ID, immigration card, school ID, or employment ID is accepted only with a certified birth certificate. If a valid ID does not show the full legal name, bring a certified birth certificate.

If either party was divorced within 90 days, a certified copy of the final divorce must be presented. A divorce judgment is not final until the marital status termination date; a license will not issue if a divorce is not final. A Registered Domestic Partnership does not need to be dissolved if the RDP parties match the marriage-license parties. If an RDP withdrawal in the last 90 days involved someone else, a stamped filed copy of the withdrawal is needed.

Licenses are effective immediately and valid for 90 days anywhere in California. The County Clerk accepts cash, personal check, cashier's check, money order, and debit or credit in office. Card payments carry a $2.50 transaction fee.

Regular vs Confidential Marriage Licenses

Monterey County issues both regular and confidential marriage licenses. For a confidential license, both parties must swear in writing that they already live together. The license is maintained as confidential in the County Clerk's Office; only the named parties may obtain copies with proper photo ID or notarized written request, except a person entitled by court order under Family Code 511(c). The standard Family Code section 500 framework governs confidential marriages.

How to Apply for a Monterey County Marriage License

The County Clerk uses an online application portal hosted by Tyler at montereycountyca-web.tylerhost.net. The portal collects party information, identification, prior-divorce details, and license type, and then schedules an in-office appointment to finish the application. Both parties must appear within two weeks of the online application or the request is deleted.

1. Open the County Clerk's marriage license page and click through to the online application.
2. Complete the application with both parties' full legal names, age, and identification details.
3. Pick license type: regular or confidential.
4. Add any prior-divorce or RDP withdrawal information if applicable.
5. Submit and transmit the application to the County Clerk.
6. Both parties appear together at 168 W. Alisal Street within two weeks.
7. Bring valid photo ID and any certified birth certificate, final divorce judgment, or RDP withdrawal copy required.
8. Pay the license fee from the current fee schedule.
9. Receive the license; ceremony can happen anywhere in California within 90 days.
10. The officiant returns the completed license to the Recorder for recording.

Marriage License and Certified Copy Fees

The County Clerk-Recorder publishes a fee schedule that lists current rates for marriage license issuance, certified copies, and related vital records. The Recorder page notice lists updated certified-copy fees effective January 1, 2026.

For court divorce records, see the Monterey County court records page and the Clerk of the Superior Court page for the records-request workflow.

Searching Monterey County Divorce Records

Divorce records are court records, not Clerk-Recorder vital records. The court's civil/family/probate records page says divorce records may be requested by mail or in person; the court needs the case number. If you do not have the case number, search the Public Portal by party names at the time of divorce. The portal returns case number, case name, status, filing date, and case type. Family law cases are filed under "Family Law" or "Dissolution." If the search returns nothing, the records counter can run a $15-per-name search.

Certified copies of marriage or domestic partnership dissolution records cost $15 per document plus copy fees; other civil/family/probate certifications are $25 per document plus copy fees. The court will accept a check or money order payable to Superior Court. Cash by mail is not accepted. Off-site files take 7-10 days, and more than five cases require a Court File Request Form and 72 hours.

How to File for Divorce in Monterey County

California is a no-fault divorce state. Dissolution is based on irreconcilable differences or permanent legal incapacity. State residency rules require at least six months in California and three months in the county before filing in that county. Family law departments are 16 and 17 at the Monterey Courthouse. Department 16 hears cases ending in odd numbers; Department 17 hears even numbers.

1. Confirm California and Monterey County residency requirements.
2. Use Judicial Council family law forms or the court's File at Home system for dissolution, legal separation, or annulment.
3. File at the family law clerk counter at 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey, unless e-filing is required by local rule.
4. Serve the other party as required by the Code of Civil Procedure.
5. Complete financial disclosures, custody and support forms if children are involved, and any mediation steps the court orders.
6. Submit judgment paperwork; marital status termination cannot be earlier than California's statutory waiting period.

Self-help guidance is available through the Monterey Self-Help Center on the 2nd floor of the Monterey Courthouse and remotely at selfhelpcenter@monterey.courts.ca.gov or 831-647-5800 x3005. Bring each child's birth certificate; staff can only assist with new cases involving children when names match the birth record.

California Statutes Governing Marriage and Divorce Records

California Family Code section 500 establishes confidential marriages and limits access to the named parties unless a court order applies. Family Code 9200 makes adoption records confidential. State residency rules for dissolution require six months in California and three months in the county before filing. California also recognizes Registered Domestic Partnerships and provides parallel dissolution procedures through the Superior Court.

The County Clerk follows Health and Safety Code rules for vital records. Birth and death certificates use a different application path from marriage certificates and require proof of relationship for "authorized copy" requests. Anyone can request an "informational copy" of a marriage certificate, but only listed parties may obtain a confidential marriage certificate. The Public Records Act framework at Government Code 7920.000 applies to administrative recordkeeping but not to confidential marriage license content.

Self-Help for Divorce in Monterey County

The court's Self-Help Center can help with divorce, legal separation, annulment, domestic partnership matters, paternity, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, domestic violence, civil harassment, and elder abuse. Locations and hours: Monterey Self-Help Center at 1200 Aguajito Road, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Salinas Self-Help Center, Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; King City Self-Help Center, Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 250 Franciscan Way.

The center cannot help with criminal, immigration, juvenile, traffic, workers' compensation, wills and trusts, or most general civil litigation. Self-Help staff review forms, explain options, and refer to legal aid, but they cannot give legal advice. For cases involving children, staff need each child's birth certificate, and the names of all parties and children must match the birth record so the final order is enforceable. Contact: selfhelpcenter@monterey.courts.ca.gov or 831-647-5800 x3005.

Monterey County Clerk-Recorder Office

The elected County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder is Xochitl Marina Camacho. Documents may be presented for recording by mail or in person Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Salinas office is the only location where documents can be recorded; there are no branch offices for recording.

Related Monterey County Searches

For probate of a deceased spouse's estate, see probate records. For court case copies and the records-counter workflow, see court records and the Clerk of the Superior Court page. For public records requests for non-court agency files, see public records.