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Los Angeles County exact answer

How is a completed marriage license returned in Los Angeles County?

This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.

Direct answer

In Los Angeles County, after the ceremony the completed license must be returned to the RR/CC Norwalk office to be recorded. The office does not automatically send a copy of the marriage certificate; a marriage records request must be submitted, and it may be filed at the same time the certificate is sent in for recording. The RR/CC records only certificates for licenses it issued. A license obtained in another California county or another state cannot be recorded here.

Published rule and conditions

Return and recording rule
After the ceremony the completed license must be returned to the RR/CC Norwalk office to be recorded. The office does not automatically send a copy of the marriage certificate; a marriage records request must be submitted, and it may be filed at the same time the certificate is sent in for recording.

The RR/CC records only certificates for licenses it issued. A license obtained in another California county or another state cannot be recorded here.

Official requirement

Once you are married, you must return your marriage license to our Norwalk office to be recorded.

Issuing office

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

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Official sources for this answer

  • Marriage Licenses, Ceremonies, and Certificates: What You Need to KnowLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk - checked July 30, 2026

    Our office only records marriage certificates for marriage licenses that were issued in Los Angeles County. If your license was obtained in another California county or another state, we cannot record your certificate and will not have your marriage record on file. Notice: Marriage License Fee Update — The Board of Supervisors has approved updated fees that will go into effect after the Board adopts an official fee ordinance. New Fees (Effective 30 Days After Official Ordinance Adoption): Marriage License: $176 / Confidential Marriage License: $220 / Marriage Ceremony: $44 / Ceremony Witness Service: $26.

  • Recording Your Marriage CertificateLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk - checked July 30, 2026

    Once you are married, you must return your marriage license to our Norwalk office to be recorded. We do NOT automatically send you a copy of your marriage certificate. Now that you have your marriage license, which is valid for 90 days, you and your future spouse may be married by your choice of one of the following persons qualified to perform marriage ceremonies: A priest, minister or rabbi of any religious denomination who is 18 years of age or older / An active or retired Judge, Commissioner, or Assistant Commissioner of a court in this State / A City Clerk, while that person holds office / A Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages / A member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors / A person who holds or formerly held an elected office of a city or county.

Answer boundary

MarriageLicenseCheck is an independent reference, not the issuing office or legal advice. Applicant facts, timing, prior marriages, and document type can change the result. The official office decides what it will accept.

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