The Marriage License Printable Application, printed as Application for License and Certificate of Marriage (form MAR590), is the paper application for a San Diego County marriage license, issued through the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk (ARCC). Couples complete it, sign it under penalty of perjury and bring it to their appointment instead of using the online application. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF and the county's marriage license instructions are published by the agency at sdarcc.gov.
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What is MAR590?
The Marriage License Printable Application, printed as Application for License and Certificate of Marriage (MAR590), is the form two people complete to apply to the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk (ARCC) for a California marriage license and certificate of marriage.
The form has data blocks for the first and second person (lines 1A to 22B), an affidavit signed on lines 23 and 24, a section for new names under the Name Equality Act of 2007, and a box for the type of license. Page 2 explains each type:
- License and Certificate of Marriage (VS 117): the standard license. It needs at least one witness and one person solemnizing the marriage.
- Confidential License and Certificate of Marriage (VS 123): for unmarried parties at least 18 years old who have been living together as spouses.
- Denominations Not Having Clergy (VS 115): for recording marriages of members of religious societies or denominations that have no clergy.
- Declaration of Marriage (VS 116): for recording a marriage that was licensed and took place over one year ago but has no official record.
This printable application is the paper alternative to the county's Marriage License Online Application. The ARCC issues licenses and performs civil ceremonies by appointment only, and it registers only licenses issued in San Diego County. The application is not a marriage certificate: after the license is registered, a copy of the certificate is requested separately.
Who needs to file MAR590?
Two people who want a marriage license from the San Diego County ARCC complete this application together. The county sets these conditions:
- Both parties must be 18 years old or older and unmarried when the license is issued.
- If either party was previously married and the dissolution is not yet final, no license is issued, even if it will be final before the wedding date.
- A party in a State Registered Domestic Partnership (SRDP) may marry or be issued a license only with the registered domestic partner, unless the most recent partnership has been terminated or a final judgment of dissolution or nullity has been entered.
- There is no residency requirement.
- Both parties must appear together at the appointment.
- For a confidential license (VS 123), the couple must be living together as spouses when they apply and must sign under penalty of perjury that this is true.
The county explains one exception to appearing in person: an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed overseas, serving in a conflict or a war and unable to appear, may marry through a military proxy empowered in writing by a power of attorney. The county refers to its FAQs for details. The form has no signature line for anyone other than the two applicants.
When to file MAR590
Complete the application before your appointment, because you must obtain the marriage license before the ceremony. The county recommends scheduling first, then completing the application: appointments open up to 7 weeks in advance, a new day opens daily, and they fill up quickly.
The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, with no extensions. You must marry on or after the issuance date and on or before the expiration date, and the ceremony must take place in California; a license not used in that time is void. If you need American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, notify the office directly before booking and allow at least two weeks. If a dissolution was final within the past 90 days, bring a copy of the final judgment.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and it is returned to the ARCC for registration, which may take up to 10 business days.
Documents you need
- Valid and current government-issued photo ID for both parties, presented in person at the appointment.
- A copy of the final judgment, if either party's dissolution of a previous marriage was final within the past 90 days.
- A written power of attorney commissioning a military proxy, only for an active-duty service member stationed overseas who serves in a conflict or a war and cannot appear; see the county's FAQs.
How to fill out MAR590
Check the type of license
On page 1, check the license you want: License and Certificate of Marriage (VS 117), Confidential License and Certificate of Marriage (VS 123), Denominations Not Having Clergy (VS 115) or Declaration of Marriage (VS 116). Page 2 explains each type.
Enter the first person's name
Fill in 1A (first name), 1B (middle), 1C (current last name) and 1D (last name at birth, if different from 1C). Mark the BRIDE or GROOM box shown in that block.
Add first person's birth and marriage history
Enter the date of birth in MM/DD/CCYY on line 2 and the state or country of birth on line 3. On line 4 give the number of previous marriages/SRDP. On 5A mark how the last one ended (DEATH, DISSO, ANNULMENT, TERM SRDP or N/A) and enter the date on 5B.
Add first person's address and parents
Complete the address, city, state/country and ZIP code on lines 6 to 9. On lines 10A to 11B enter the full birth name of each parent and the parent's state of birth, or the country if born outside the U.S.
Complete the second person's data
Fill in 12A to 12D for the name, then lines 13 to 16B for date of birth (MM/DD/CCYY), place of birth, previous marriages/SRDP and how and when the last one ended. Mark BRIDE or GROOM in that block.
Add second person's address and parents
Enter the address, city, state/country and ZIP code on lines 17 to 20. Then give both parents' full birth names and states or countries of birth on lines 21A to 22B.
Enter new names, if any
In the NEW NAMES section, enter a new middle and last name for each person only if they wish to change them; the first name must match 1A or 12A. If a person is not changing a name, the county says to complete the fields with two single dashes.
Sign the affidavit and add phones
Each person signs their own line: line 23 for the person in 1A-1D and line 24 for the person in 12A-12D. The signature is made under penalty of perjury that you are unmarried, the information is true and no legal objection is known. Add each person's phone number.
Add witnesses for County Clerk ceremonies
The witness name and address lines are required only for ceremonies performed by the San Diego County Clerk. Leave the "For County Purposes Only" and "Affix Label Here" areas for the county.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Check that every line is legible, names match your ID and dates use MM/DD/CCYY. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, sign it and bring it to your appointment as described under How to submit.
How to submit MAR590
The application is presented in person at your appointment with the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk; the county issues licenses by appointment only.
- Appointment: Schedule one appointment (booking several may lead to all being cancelled). For a license plus a civil ceremony, choose the "License and Ceremony" appointment type.
- Printable application: Complete and sign this form and bring it with you. The county's alternative is to book first and then complete the Marriage License Online Application.
- At the office: Both parties appear together with valid, current government-issued photo ID.
- Payment: Fees apply and are non-refundable. They are payable by cash, check or money order, or credit/debit card; a surcharge applies to card payments. Make checks payable to San Diego Recorder/County Clerk. Ask the office or see its marriage license page for current amounts.
- Confidential licenses: These may also be issued by an Authorized Notary Public; confirm availability with the notary directly.
The county's instructions are at the ARCC marriage license page. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing a different first name in the new-name section; the form says first names cannot be changed and must match 1A or 12A.
- Leaving the new-name fields blank when neither party wants a new name; the county says they are completed with two single dashes.
- Expecting to add or change a name after the license is issued; the county allows changes only for a clerical error, signed by the county clerk or deputy and one party.
- Applying while a prior marriage's dissolution is not yet final, even if it will be final before the wedding; the county will not issue the license.
- Holding the ceremony after the 90-day validity ends or outside California; the license has no extensions and an unused license is void.
- Choosing a confidential license (VS 123) when the couple is not living together as spouses at the time of application.
- Booking more than one appointment, which may result in all of them being cancelled.
- Bringing witnesses to a "License Only" appointment, where witnesses should not come.
- Assuming a marriage certificate copy is mailed automatically; a separate request and payment are required after the license is registered.
- Entering information that is hard to read; the form is marked MUST BE LEGIBLE.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a San Diego County marriage license?
Schedule an appointment with the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, which issues licenses by appointment only. Bring this completed printable application, or complete the Marriage License Online Application after booking, and both parties appear together with valid photo ID.
Do I need an appointment to get a marriage license in San Diego County?
Yes. The county states that appointments are required for licenses and civil ceremonies. They open up to 7 weeks in advance, and a new day opens daily. Book only one appointment, since multiple bookings may lead to all being cancelled.
How long is a San Diego County marriage license valid?
90 days from the date of issuance, with no extensions. You must marry on or after the issuance date and on or before the expiration date, within California. A license not used in that period is void.
Do I need witnesses for a marriage license in San Diego County?
It depends on the type. A standard public license needs at least one witness present at the ceremony, and no more than two sign. A confidential license needs no witnesses. Witnesses should not come to a License Only appointment.
Can I change my name on the marriage license application?
Yes, under the Name Equality Act of 2007, but only when you apply. Enter a new middle and/or last name in the new-name fields; first names cannot be changed. The county says it cannot advise on name choices, so consult a private attorney with questions.
Can I fill out the San Diego marriage license application online?
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; you bring it to your county appointment or use the county's Marriage License Online Application.
Will I get my marriage certificate automatically?
No. After the officiant signs and returns the license, registration may take up to 10 business days. Once it is registered, you must submit a separate request and payment for a copy of the marriage certificate.
Can I get a license if my divorce is not final yet?
No. If a prior marriage's dissolution is not yet final, no license is issued, even if it will be final before the wedding date. If it was final within the past 90 days, provide a copy of the final judgment.
Do I have to live in San Diego County to get a license?
No. The county says there is no residency requirement. The ARCC registers only licenses it issued in San Diego County, and the ceremony must take place within California within 90 days of issuance.
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