Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield marriage license cost and civil wedding steps

Last updated: 2026 • Official Source ↗

Quick answer

Bakersfield: For Bakersfield, the listed marriage license fee is $101. There is no waiting period, and the license is valid for None. Use the official source before applying, because local offices can change fees, appointments, and ceremony rules.

License Fee

$101

Wait Time

no waiting period

Valid For

None
Ranked #77 of 86 by lowest listed cost, above the $66 average
Same-day available — No waiting period required

Bakersfield marriage license cost and wait time

Bakersfield's listed marriage license fee is $101. There is no waiting period, and the license has a None validity window. Compared with the US city average of $66, Bakersfield is $35 above average and ranks 77 of 86 for lowest listed cost.

Courthouse or city hall wedding in Bakersfield

If you are searching for a courthouse wedding in Bakersfield, start with the marriage license. Civil ceremony appointments, city hall options, officiants, and return rules are handled locally, so confirm ceremony availability with the official office before choosing a date.

Official details can change without much notice. Treat this as a planning guide and verify with the linked office before you apply.

Overview

The County Clerk issues public and confidential marriage licenses and maintains a permanent index of all confidential marriages registered in California. The County Recorder is the local registrar of public marriages under the direction of the State Registrar. Marriage licenses must be completed by the officiant and returned to the appropriate County office within 10 days of the ceremony.

1

Requirements

2

Process

01

Obtain License

Apply for a public or confidential marriage license at the County Clerk's Office.

02

Ceremony

Have a marriage ceremony performed by an authorized officiant.

03

Complete License

The officiant must complete the marriage license after the ceremony.

04

Return License

The officiant must return the completed license to the County Clerk or Recorder's Office within 10 days.

How Bakersfield compares

CityLicense FeeWait Time
Bakersfield$101no waiting period
Chattanooga, TN$100no waiting period
Las Vegas, NV$102no waiting period
Nashville, TN$99no waiting period
Mesa, AZ$98no waiting period
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a marriage license in Bakersfield?

The listed marriage license fee for Bakersfield is $101. Fees can change, so verify the amount with the official office before applying.

How long does it take to get a marriage license in Bakersfield?

Bakersfield: There is no waiting period. If you are planning a civil or courthouse wedding, build that timing into your date planning.

Can you have a courthouse wedding in Bakersfield?

Courthouse, city hall, or civil ceremony availability depends on the local office. The marriage license is the first step; use the official source to confirm ceremony appointments and local rules.

Who issues marriage licenses?

The County Clerk issues public and confidential marriage licenses.

Who maintains the index of confidential marriages?

The County Clerk maintains a permanent index of all confidential marriages registered.

Where are completed licenses returned?

For confidential marriages, the license is returned to the County Clerk’s Office. For public marriages, it is returned to the County Recorder’s Office.