The Marriage Certificate Application (form VIT720) is the form the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk uses for requests for a copy of a marriage certificate, a Letter Confirming the Existence of a Confidential Marriage, or a Letter of No Record. If you searched for a San Diego County marriage license, note that this form comes after the license: the office handles certificate requests only when the license was issued in San Diego County and has been registered. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the original at sdarcc.gov.
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What is VIT720?
The Marriage Certificate Application is the form for requesting a copy of a marriage certificate, or a letter about the record, from the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, which can only process requests for marriages licensed in San Diego County.
Its printed title is "Application for a Marriage Certificate, Letter of Confirmation of Marriage, or Letter of No Record," and the footer identifies it as VIT720, the in-person and mail version. You mark one box to choose what you want:
- a Certified Copy of a non-confidential marriage record;
- a Certified Informational Copy of a non-confidential marriage, or a Letter of No Record;
- a Certified Copy of a confidential marriage record, or a Letter Confirming the Existence of a Confidential Marriage.
Under California Health and Safety Code, Section 103526(c), only authorized persons may receive a certified copy. Anyone else receives a certified informational copy marked "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY," or, for a confidential marriage, a letter confirming that the marriage exists. If the office cannot find the record from the information you give, it keeps the fee and issues a Letter of No Record.
The county explains that a certified copy is what you need to change your name on a driver's license, passport or Social Security card, to claim insurance benefits, or for other identity-related services. This form does not apply for a marriage license.
Who needs to file VIT720?
Anyone who needs a copy of a marriage record for a marriage licensed in San Diego County uses this form. What you receive depends on who you are.
Certified copy of a non-confidential record, for these authorized persons:
- a registrant (one of the two persons 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);
- a member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency conducting official business (companies representing an agency must provide the agency's authorization);
- a child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner of a registrant;
- an attorney for a registrant or the registrant's estate, or a person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act for them (include a copy of the power of attorney if you request under one).
Certified copy of a confidential record: only a registrant, or a party entitled by court order.
If you are not authorized, you can still request a certified informational copy or a Letter of No Record without selecting a relationship or completing the Statement of Identity. For a confidential marriage, an unauthorized requester may receive a letter confirming the marriage exists.
When to file VIT720
There is no filing deadline: you submit the application whenever you need a copy, once the marriage license has been returned to the office and registered. The form asks you to wait 2 weeks from the date of the event before submitting. The county's marriage certificate page says to allow 10 business days from the time the license was returned to the office for registration. If you ask too early, the office may find no record, issue a Letter of No Record and keep the non-refundable fee. Each request is a separate application, so request additional copies on the same form by entering the number of copies.
Documents you need
- Valid government-issued photo ID, required for in-person requests; the form lists driver's license, military ID, passport or other as the types the office records.
- Notarized Sworn Statement with the Certificate of Acknowledgment on page 2, required when you request a certified copy by mail; one notarization covers several mail requests by the same person.
- A certified copy of the court order, if you are entitled to the record as a result of a court order.
- A copy of the power of attorney, if you request a certified copy under a power of attorney.
- Written authorization from the government agency, if you are a company representing a government agency requesting a certified copy.
How to fill out VIT720
Confirm the marriage was licensed locally
The office issues marriage certificates only if the marriage license was issued in San Diego County. Wait the stated period after the marriage before you apply.
Mark one request-type box
On page 1 choose one: Certified Copy of a Non-Confidential record; Certified Informational Copy or Letter of No Record; or Certified Copy of a Confidential record or Letter Confirming the Existence of a Confidential Marriage.
Select your relationship
For a certified copy, mark the box in the "I am" list that matches you, such as a registrant, parent, attorney or court-ordered party. You need no selection for an informational copy or Letter of No Record.
Enter the first person's names
Under Marriage Information on Certificate, print or type the First Person's first name, middle name, last name and birth last name.
Enter the second person's names
Do the same for the Second Person: first name, middle name, last name and birth last name.
Add the marriage date and copies
Enter the Date of Marriage and the # of Copies you want.
Sign the Statement of Identity
For an in-person certified copy, print your name and sign the sworn statement on page 1 in the presence of a County Clerk, with the date, city and state.
Complete the mail Sworn Statement
If you mail a certified copy request, fill in page 2: your name, the name on the certificate, number of copies and your relationship. Sign it before a notary, who completes the Certificate of Acknowledgment.
Fill in the mailing details
Under Mail Marriage Certificate to, enter name, address, city, state and ZIP, plus email and phone. Then complete the line # of Copies X amount for your payment.
Review, download and assemble
Check names, date and boxes, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Add any court order, power of attorney copy, notarization and payment as described under How to submit.
How to submit VIT720
You can request a marriage certificate from the San Diego Recorder/County Clerk in person, online through VitalChek, or by mail.
- In person: Visit an office in downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, Santee or San Marcos; the Kearny Mesa office does not offer this service. No appointment is required. Sign the application in the presence of a County Clerk and show valid government-issued photo ID. Payment is accepted by cash, check or money order, or credit/debit card; card payments carry a surcharge.
- Online: Order at VitalChek.com, the only third-party vendor the office authorizes for online marriage certificate orders. For a certified copy, select "Authorized Copy" and choose "San Diego County Recorder" as the agency. VitalChek adds a handling fee, and expedited delivery is an optional extra fee.
- By mail: Send the completed application with a check or money order to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk, ATTN: Vital Records, P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750. Do not send cash. For a certified copy, include the Sworn Statement on page 2 with the Certificate of Acknowledgment completed by a notary; a notary outside California may cross out California and enter the correct state. A certified informational copy needs no sworn statement or notarization.
Fees are non-refundable, even if no record is found. The form prints "San Diego County Recorder" as the payee for mailed payments, while the county's by-mail page says "San Diego Recorder/County Clerk"; confirm the payee and the current per-copy amount at the county's marriage certificate page. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Requesting a certificate from San Diego County when the marriage license was issued in another county; the office processes only licenses issued in San Diego County.
- Submitting the request before the waiting period has passed, which can end in a Letter of No Record and a retained fee.
- Mailing a certified copy request without the notarized Sworn Statement and Certificate of Acknowledgment on page 2.
- Marking more than one box in the request-type section instead of the single option that fits.
- Signing the in-person Statement of Identity outside the presence of a County Clerk.
- Sending cash by mail; mailed fees are payable by check or money order only.
- Entering on the Sworn Statement a relationship that is not on the page 1 list of authorized persons.
- Requesting under a court order or power of attorney without attaching the certified court order or the power of attorney copy.
- Going to the Kearny Mesa office for a marriage certificate; that location does not offer this service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the San Diego County Marriage Certificate Application?
It is form VIT720 of the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, used to request a certified copy or certified informational copy of a marriage certificate, a Letter Confirming the Existence of a Confidential Marriage, or a Letter of No Record for a marriage licensed in San Diego County.
Is this form the same as a San Diego County marriage license?
No. A marriage license is what you obtain before the wedding. This application requests a copy of the marriage certificate afterward, once the license has been registered. The county directs people who are not yet married to its marriage license page.
Who can get a certified copy of a marriage certificate?
Authorized persons under Health and Safety Code Section 103526(c): a registrant, a parent or legal guardian, a court-ordered party, a government representative on official business, close relatives, or an attorney or representative. For confidential records, only a registrant or court-ordered party qualifies.
How long after the wedding can I request the certificate?
The form asks you to wait 2 weeks from the date of the event. The county's page says to allow 10 business days from when the license was returned for registration. If no record is found, you receive a Letter of No Record.
Do I need a notary to order a marriage certificate by mail?
Yes, for a certified copy. Complete the Sworn Statement on page 2 and have a notary complete the Certificate of Acknowledgment. A certified informational copy does not need the sworn statement or notarization. In person, you sign before a County Clerk.
Where do I mail the marriage certificate application?
Mail it with a check or money order to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk, ATTN: Vital Records, P.O. Box 121750, San Diego, CA 92112-1750. Do not send cash. The county's page also lists in-person and online ordering options.
Can I order a San Diego County marriage certificate online?
Yes, through VitalChek.com, the only third-party vendor authorized for online orders. For a certified copy select "Authorized Copy" and choose "San Diego County Recorder." VitalChek charges a handling fee on top of the certificate fee.
Can I get a refund if no marriage record is found?
No. The form states that fees are non-refundable, and state law requires the office to keep the fee and issue a Letter of No Record if it cannot find the record. Ask the office or check its website for the current per-copy amount.
Can I fill out the marriage certificate application online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not submit it to the county or order the certificate; you deliver the form through the county's channels.
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