The Marriage Certificate Application (Form VIT730) is the form the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk uses to request a certified copy of a marriage certificate, a certified informational copy, or a letter in its place, for a marriage whose license was issued in San Diego County. It does not issue a marriage license: if you searched for a San Diego County marriage license and are not yet married, the county's marriage certificate page points you to its license information instead. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the form and its ordering instructions at sdarcc.gov.
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What is VIT730?
The Marriage Certificate Application (Form VIT730) is the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk form used to request a copy of a marriage certificate, or a letter in its place, for a marriage whose license was issued in San Diego County.
What you receive depends on the option you select and on whether you are a person the law authorizes:
- A Certified Copy of a non-confidential or confidential marriage certificate. The county says a certified copy is needed to change your name on a driver's license, passport or Social Security card, to claim insurance benefits, or for other identity-related services.
- A certified Informational Copy of a non-confidential marriage certificate, marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY", for people the law does not authorize to receive a certified copy.
- A "Letter Confirming the Existence of a Marriage", for people not authorized to receive a certified copy of a confidential marriage certificate.
- A "Letter of No Record", issued when the office cannot identify the record from the information given. The fee is kept in that case.
The form cites Section 103526(c) of the California Health and Safety Code as the rule that limits certified copies to authorized persons. The PDF linked on this page is the Spanish-language edition (VIT730, Marriage Certificate Application in Person and Mail), and its sworn statement and Certificate of Acknowledgment are printed partly in English. A marriage certificate is available only after the marriage license has been registered with the County Recorder, and the office can process requests only for licenses issued in San Diego County.
Who needs to file VIT730?
Anyone who needs a copy of a marriage certificate for a marriage licensed in San Diego County uses this application. The kind of copy you can receive depends on who you are.
For a non-confidential marriage, authorized persons who may receive a Certified Copy are:
- a registrant (one of the two persons named on the certificate);
- a parent or legal guardian of a registrant;
- a party entitled to the record by court order (include a certified copy of the court order), or an attorney or authorized adoption agency that needs it to meet the requirements of Family Code Section 3140 or 7603;
- a member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency conducting official business;
- a child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner of a registrant;
- an attorney representing a registrant or the registrant's estate, or a person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act for a registrant or the estate.
For a confidential marriage, only a registrant or a party entitled by court order may receive a Certified Copy. Everyone else may receive a "Letter Confirming the Existence of a Marriage".
People who are not authorized for a non-confidential record can still request a certified Informational Copy or a Letter of No Record; they do not select a relationship or complete the Declaration of Identity.
Do not use this form if the marriage license was issued outside San Diego County, or if you are not yet married and need a marriage license.
When to file VIT730
Submit the application after the marriage has been registered. The form asks you to wait 2 weeks from the date of the event before applying. The county's marriage certificate page gives the registration side of the timing: allow 10 business days from the time the marriage license was returned to the office for registration before requesting a copy.
If the office cannot find a record from the information you gave, the law requires it to keep your payment and issue a "Letter of No Record". The county says the fee is non-refundable even when no record is found, so check the names and the marriage date before you send the request.
Neither the form nor the county page sets an expiration or renewal date for a request. You submit it whenever you need a copy.
Documents you need
- Valid government-issued photo ID, shown when you request the certificate in person; the form's office-use box lists driver's license, passport, military ID or other.
- A certified copy of the court order, if you request a Certified Copy as a party entitled to the record by court order, or as an attorney or adoption agency acting under Family Code Section 3140 or 7603.
- A copy of the power of attorney, if you request a Certified Copy of a non-confidential certificate under a power of attorney (per the county's marriage certificate page).
- A notarized sworn statement with the Certificate of Acknowledgment completed by a notary public, for a mailed request for a Certified Copy; not required for a certified Informational Copy.
- Check or money order payable to "San Diego Recorder/County Clerk" for a mailed request; cash is not accepted by mail.
How to fill out VIT730
Select the type of copy
Check one option: a Certified Copy of a non-confidential marriage; a certified Informational Copy or Letter of No Record; or a Certified Copy of a confidential marriage or Letter Confirming the Existence of a Marriage.
Mark your relationship to the registrant
For a Certified Copy, check the box that states who you are, such as a registrant, parent or legal guardian, or a party entitled by court order. Informational Copy and Letter of No Record requests skip this selection.
Enter both names on the certificate
In the marriage information section, print the first name, middle name, last name(s) and maiden surname for the First Person and the Second Person.
Enter marriage date and copies
Write the date of the marriage and the number of copies you want. Every certified copy is charged the per-copy fee printed on the form.
Complete the Declaration of Identity
For an in-person request, print your name and enter the day, month, year, city and state. Sign it in the presence of a County Clerk.
Complete the sworn statement for mail
On page 2, print your name, the names on the certificate, the number of copies and your relationship, which must be one listed on page 1. Date and sign it; submit only one sworn statement per applicant, even for several requests.
Have the notary complete the acknowledgment
For a mailed Certified Copy request, take the sworn statement to a notary public, who completes the Certificate of Acknowledgment. Outside California, the notary may cross out California and enter the correct state.
Enter where to send the certificate
In the "Enviar el Certificado a" block, enter the name, address, city, state, ZIP code, email and phone number of the person receiving it.
Figure the total payment
Multiply the number of copies by the per-copy fee printed on the form and write the total on the last line. Ask the Recorder/County Clerk if you are unsure of the current amount.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the names, marriage date and relationship box, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and submit it as described under How to submit.
How to submit VIT730
You can request a marriage certificate in person, online through VitalChek, or by mail.
- In person: Visit a San Diego Recorder/County Clerk office and complete the application, signing it in the presence of a County Clerk. Bring valid government-issued photo ID. Locations named by the county are downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, Santee and San Marcos; this service is not available at the Kearny Mesa office. No appointment is required. Payment is by cash, check or money order, or credit/debit card; a surcharge applies to card payments.
- Online: Go to VitalChek.com, the only third-party vendor the county authorizes for online marriage certificate orders. Select "San Diego County Recorder" as the agency, and select "Authorized Copy" for a Certified Copy. VitalChek charges its own handling fee, and optional expedited delivery costs extra.
- By mail: Send the completed application with a check or money order payable to "San Diego Recorder/County Clerk" to: San Diego Recorder/County Clerk, ATTN: Vital Records, P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750. Do not mail cash. For a Certified Copy, the sworn statement on page 2 must be notarized; for a certified Informational Copy it is not required.
A fee applies per copy; ask the Recorder/County Clerk for the current amount. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Requesting a certificate for a marriage whose license was issued outside San Diego County; the office can process only licenses issued in this county.
- Applying before the marriage is registered: the form asks you to wait 2 weeks from the event, and the county page says to allow 10 business days after the license is returned.
- Mailing a request for a Certified Copy without a notarized sworn statement and completed Certificate of Acknowledgment.
- Sending cash by mail; mailed payment must be a check or money order payable to "San Diego Recorder/County Clerk".
- Choosing a relationship that is not listed on page 1 of the application for the sworn statement on page 2.
- Signing the in-person application before arriving; it must be signed in the presence of a County Clerk.
- Going to the Kearny Mesa office, which does not offer marriage certificate requests.
- Expecting a refund when the record is not found; the fee is non-refundable and the office issues a "Letter of No Record".
- Ordering through VitalChek without selecting "Authorized Copy" when you need a Certified Copy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Marriage Certificate Application, Form VIT730?
Form VIT730 is the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk application for a copy of a marriage certificate. Depending on your eligibility and the option you select, it produces a certified copy, a certified informational copy, or a letter confirming a marriage or stating no record was found.
Is this form the same as a marriage license application?
No. This form requests a copy of a certificate for a marriage already registered, and the county processes it only if the license was issued in San Diego County. If you are not yet married, the county's marriage certificate page directs you to its marriage license information.
Who can get a certified copy of a marriage certificate in San Diego County?
For a non-confidential marriage: a registrant, a parent or legal guardian, a child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner, a court-order party, an attorney, or a government representative on official business. For a confidential marriage, only a registrant or a party entitled by court order.
How long after the wedding can I request the certificate?
The form says to wait 2 weeks from the event date. The county's page says to allow 10 business days from when the license was returned to the office for registration. If no record is found, you receive a Letter of No Record and the fee is kept.
Can I order a San Diego marriage certificate online?
Yes, through VitalChek.com, the only third-party vendor the county authorizes for online orders. Select "San Diego County Recorder" and, for a Certified Copy, "Authorized Copy". VitalChek adds a handling fee, and expedited delivery is optional at an extra charge.
Where do I mail the marriage certificate application?
Mail it with a check or money order payable to "San Diego Recorder/County Clerk" to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk, ATTN: Vital Records, P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750. Do not send cash by mail.
Does the application have to be notarized?
Only for a Certified Copy requested by mail: the sworn statement must be notarized with the Certificate of Acknowledgment. A certified Informational Copy needs no sworn statement or notarization, and in-person requests are signed before a County Clerk instead.
Is the fee refundable if no record is found?
No. The county says the fee is not refundable even if the record is not found, and the office issues a Letter of No Record. The amount is set by the Recorder/County Clerk, so confirm it with that office before paying.
Can I fill out Form VIT730 online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the application or order the certificate; you submit it in person, by mail or through VitalChek as the county describes.
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