The Application for Confidential Marriage Record and Certificate of Identity is the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) form for requesting a certified copy of a confidential marriage record. People searching for a Los Angeles County marriage license sometimes land here, but this form asks for a copy of a marriage record that already exists. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the agency at lavote.gov, and the Certificate of Identity must still be signed before a notary.
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What is 76A639MC?
The Application for Confidential Marriage Record and Certificate of Identity is the form the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) uses to receive a request for a certified copy of a confidential marriage record, together with the sworn Certificate of Identity that proves the requester is entitled to it.
The packet has three parts. The first page is the application itself: the marriage record information (date of marriage, the name at birth of each party, and the county where the license was issued), the number of copies, the requester's relationship to the registrant(s), a declaration under penalty of perjury, and the applicant's name and mailing address. The second page carries a Special Notice to Veterans with an affidavit for a free certified copy. The third page is the Certificate of Identity/Sworn Statement for Confidential Marriage Record, with a Certificate of Acknowledgement for the notary.
The form requests a copy of a record. It is not an application for a marriage license, and the form states that the office can only provide copies for certificates purchased in Los Angeles County. A separate form, the Application for Marriage Record and Certificate of Identity, is used for a public marriage record. The labels on this form are printed in English and Spanish.
Who needs to file 76A639MC?
Under Family Code Section 509, as cited on the form, only the parties to the marriage are entitled to an authorized certified copy of a confidential marriage record. The Certificate of Identity has the requester declare that they are an authorized person as defined in that section.
- A party to a confidential marriage whose license was issued in Los Angeles County uses this form to request an authorized certified copy.
- A veteran or authorized agent applying for a veteran's pension or certain other Veterans Administration benefits may be eligible for a free certified copy by completing the affidavit on the second page. It does not apply to Social Security or other civilian benefits, even for a veteran.
- Someone who is not authorized, or who does not want to submit the notarized Certificate of Identity, can ask the agency for an Informational Certified Copy instead. It is imprinted "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO EXPLAIN IDENTITY" in the agency's wording and cannot be used for legal purposes.
Do not use this form for a marriage whose license was issued outside Los Angeles County; the agency page points those requests elsewhere.
When to file 76A639MC
Submit the form whenever you need a certified copy of the confidential marriage record; the form prints no deadline. Records are available for marriages where the license was issued in Los Angeles County since 1852.
For mail requests, the agency says the record is mailed within 20 business days from the date the request is received. An un-notarized Certificate of Identity delays the process. If the record is not found, the agency issues a "No Record Statement," and the fee for the first copy of each record is nonrefundable.
Documents you need
- Notarized Certificate of Identity/Sworn Statement for Confidential Marriage Record: required with every mail request, signed in the presence of a notary; an un-notarized certificate delays the request.
- Valid identification: required if you apply in person.
- Payment by check or money order payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: not cash, E-Checks, temporary checks or foreign checks (except Canada and Mexico).
- Completed affidavit on the Special Notice to Veterans page: only if you claim a free certified copy for a veteran's pension or certain other Veterans Administration benefits.
How to fill out 76A639MC
Enter the date of marriage
Under Marriage Record Information, enter the Date of Marriage as month, day and year. Print all information legibly.
Enter both parties' names at birth
Fill in Name of Party A and Name of Party B with first, middle and last name, using each person's name at birth as the form requests.
Name the county of the license
Under License issued in, enter the county. The agency can only provide copies for certificates purchased in Los Angeles County.
State your relationship and copies
Enter your Relationship to Registrant(s) and the Number of Copies you want. Leave the Recorder Use Only area blank.
Complete the declaration
Print your name in the declaration, then sign and date it, and enter your DL/ID number and Phone Number. The declaration is made under penalty of perjury.
Enter your name and mailing address
Under Applicant Name, enter your name, street address, city, state and ZIP code, printed legibly. This is where the copy is mailed.
Complete the veterans affidavit if it applies
Only for a veteran's pension or certain other Veterans Administration benefits: enter the federal or state agency, the type of benefit, the date, your signature or your agent's signature and relationship, and the agency's address. Otherwise leave it blank.
Fill in the Certificate of Identity
Enter the county of marriage, date of marriage, and the names of the first and second person, then print your name. Do not sign until you are with the notary.
Sign before a notary
Date and sign the Certificate of Identity in the notary's presence, and have the notary complete the Certificate of Acknowledgement. If you are outside California, the notary strikes out "California" and writes in the state.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the names, dates and signatures, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the package and send it through the channel described under How to submit.
How to submit 76A639MC
You can send the request by mail. The form also says that if you apply in person you must provide valid identification, but it prints no counter address or hours. The agency states that no requests are accepted by telephone.
- By mail: send the signed application, the notarized Certificate of Identity and payment to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section, PO Box 489, Norwalk, CA 90651-0489.
- Payment: a fee applies; ask the agency for the current amount at (800) 201-8999. Pay by check or money order payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The agency does not accept E-Checks, temporary checks or foreign checks (except from Canada and Mexico), and those requests are returned. Do not send cash.
- Outside California: have the notary strike out "California" on the Certificate of Identity and write in the state where it is notarized; the agency accepts it with that change.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application without a notarized Certificate of Identity; the form states mail requests must be accompanied by one, and the agency says an un-notarized one delays the process.
- Signing the Certificate of Identity before meeting the notary; the form says it must be signed in the presence of a notary.
- Paying with cash, an E-Check, a temporary check or a foreign check (other than from Canada or Mexico); the agency returns such requests.
- Requesting an authorized copy when you are not a party to the marriage; only the parties are entitled to one under Family Code Section 509.
- Requesting a record for a license issued outside Los Angeles County; the form says copies are provided only for certificates purchased in Los Angeles County.
- Having the notary leave "California" unchanged when the form is notarized in another state; the notary must strike it out and write the state.
- Entering married names instead of each party's name at birth in the Party A and Party B lines.
- Trying to order by telephone; the agency says no requests are available by phone.
- Using this form for a public marriage record instead of the Application for Marriage Record and Certificate of Identity.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the form for a Los Angeles County marriage license?
No. This form requests a certified copy of an existing confidential marriage record issued by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. It does not apply for a marriage license; the form states copies are provided only for certificates purchased in Los Angeles County.
Who can get an authorized copy of a confidential marriage record?
Only the parties to the marriage. The form cites Family Code Section 509 and has the requester declare they are an authorized person. Others can ask the agency for an Informational Certified Copy, which cannot be used for legal purposes.
Does the Certificate of Identity have to be notarized?
Yes for mail requests. The form says mail requests must be accompanied by a notarized Certificate of Identity, signed in the notary's presence, and the agency says an un-notarized one delays the process. In person, you provide valid identification instead.
Can I order a confidential marriage record by phone?
No. The agency states that no requests are available by telephone. Send the application by mail, or apply in person with valid identification. The phone number on the form, (800) 201-8999, is for questions such as the current fee.
How long does it take to receive the copy?
For mail requests, the agency says the record is mailed within 20 business days from the date it receives the request. If the record is not found, the agency issues a No Record Statement.
How do I pay for a certified copy?
A fee applies. Pay by check or money order payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk; call (800) 201-8999 for the current amount. The agency does not accept cash, E-Checks, temporary checks, or foreign checks other than from Canada and Mexico.
What if I live outside California?
You can still use the mail process. Have the notary strike out "California" on the Certificate of Identity and write in the state where it is notarized; the agency says it will be accepted with that change.
Can I fill out this form online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file it or arrange notarization; you mail the signed, notarized package to the agency.
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