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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 2Pt. 3Ch. 3Art. 2§ 26840 Marriage License Fee Distribution

§ 26840 Marriage License Fee Distribution

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 26840 Marriage License Fee Distribution

Key Takeaways

  • •Getting a marriage license costs $10.
  • •The $10 is split up: $1 to the county recorder, $1 to the county clerk, $1 to the state, and $7 goes to a special fund.
  • •In some counties, the money is handled differently, but the total is still $10.
  • •The $10 covers all the work needed to give you the license and record the marriage.

Example

A couple wants to get married and goes to the county office to get their marriage license.

They pay $10 to get the license. The office keeps $1 for the recorder, $1 for the clerk, sends $1 to the state, and puts $7 into a special fund. This $10 covers everything needed for their marriage license and recording their marriage.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 26840 Marriage License Fee Distribution

The fee for issuing a marriage license is ten dollars ($10), to be collected at the time it is issued. One dollar ($1) of this fee shall be paid to the county recorder, one dollar ($1) of this fee shall be paid to the county clerk, and one dollar ($1) of this fee shall be paid to the State Registrar of Vital Statistics and seven dollars ($7) of this fee shall be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of Section 54 of Chapter 120, Statutes of 1966, First Extraordinary Session. In counties where the salary of the county recorder is the sole compensation allowed by law, this fee shall be paid to the county treasurer who shall credit one dollar ($1) to the county recorder and shall pay one dollar ($1) to the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. The fee provided by this section is in full for all services of the clerk and recorder in connection with the issuance of a marriage license and the filing of a certificate of registry of marriage. (Amended by Stats. 1979, Ch. 139.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

marriagesalarylicensestate registrarvital statisticsfirst extraordinary sessioncompensationconnection

Related Statutes

  • § 26840.1 Marriage Certificate Filing Fee
  • § 26840.10 Domestic Violence Fee Increase
  • § 26840.11 Solano County Marriage License Fees
  • § 26840.2 County Marriage License Fees
  • § 26840.3 Marriage Fee Conciliation Funding

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 26840.
View Official Source