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San Bernardino Marriage & Divorce Records

San Bernardino Marriage & Divorce Records are official documents that confirm marriages and divorces in San Bernardino County. These records include marriage certificates and divorce decrees, showing essential details like names, dates, and locations. Residents often need them for legal matters, genealogy, remarriage, or immigration purposes. Certified copies provide a verified source for any official or personal requirement.

San Bernardino Marriage & Divorce Records also help track family history and prove marital status for courts or government agencies. They are maintained by the San Bernardino County Clerk-Recorder’s Office and are available in public or restricted forms depending on the case. Knowing the difference between marriage certificates and divorce decrees ensures the right document is requested. Many people rely on these records for accurate and official information quickly.

How to Search San Bernardino Marriage & Divorce Records

Searching San Bernardino marriage and divorce records requires knowing the type of record needed and the correct custodian. Marriage records, including marriage certificates, are maintained by the County Recorder-Clerk, while divorce records, including divorce decrees, are held by the Superior Court.

How to Search San Bernardino Marriage Records

  • Visit the Official Vital Records Page:
    https://arc.sbcounty.gov/vital-records/
    (Yeh San Bernardino County Recorder‑Clerk ki official Vital Records page hai.)
  • Download the Application:
    • Scroll down aur “Birth, Death, Marriage Certificate Application” download karein.
    • Form English ya Español me available hota hai.
  • Fill Out the Application:
    • Full names of spouses
    • Approximate date of marriage
    • Your contact details
    • Indicate Certified ya Informational copy
  • Submit Online or In‑Person:
    • Aap online complete karke appointment book kar sakte hain.
    • Ya phir office me ja ke ID verify karke turant copy le sakte hain.
  • Book Appointment (optional but recommended):
    • After form submission, appointment book karen for in‑person visit.

Confidential Records:
Agar record confidential hai to sirf spouses ya authorized person hi certified copy receive kar sakta hai.

In‑Person Visit (Recorder‑Clerk Office)

Recorder‑Clerk Hall of Records
https://arc.sbcounty.gov/recorder-clerk-hall-of-records/
Address: 222 W. Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415

  1. Form lein aur complete karein.
  2. Valid Government‑Issued ID dikhayein.
  3. Fee pay karein.
  4. Certified copy turant mil sakta hai.

By Mail Request

  • Application complete karein.
  • Notarize karein (agar certified copy chahiye).
  • ID copy attach karein.
  • Fee check/money order ke sath mail karein:
    Recorder‑Clerk Office, 222 W. Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, CA 92415

How to Search San Bernardino Divorce Records

Divorce records are court records — not kept by the Recorder‑Clerk.

Online Court Search (Case Lookup)

  • Go to Superior Court Case Portal:
    https://cap.sb-court.org/
    (Official online portal for case searching.)
  • Use Case Number or Names:
    • Agar aapke paas case number hai, type karein.
    • Agar sirf names maloom hain, first/last name enter karein.
  • Filter Family Law or “Dissolution” Cases:
    • Niche filters ka use karein to limit divorce records results.
  • View Case Summary:
    • Online aapko case details (filing date, case type) mil sakti hain.
    • Court docs online usually full record show nahi hote; certified copy ke liye request must be made.

In‑Person at Superior Court

Family Law Division (Divorce Records):
Address: 351 N Arrowhead Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92415

  1. Visit the Family Law Records Clerk.
  2. Complete Divorce Records Request Form.
  3. Show valid ID.
  4. Pay fees for certified divorce decree or certificate.

By Mail Request (Divorce)

  • Request form complete karein (Superior Court site se download).
  • Pay the fee.
  • Mail to Superior Court – Family Law Division address.
  • Certified copy mailed back to you.

Official Search Pages

San Bernardino Recorder‑Clerk Vital Records:
https://arc.sbcounty.gov/vital-records/

San Bernardino Recorder‑Clerk Hall of Records Info:
https://arc.sbcounty.gov/recorder-clerk-hall-of-records/

Superior Court Case Search (Public Access Portal):
https://cap.sb-court.org

Superior Court Official Homepage:
https://sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov/

County Public Records Request Portal (for general requests):
https://sanbernardinocounty.nextrequest.com

Vital Records in San Bernardino County

Vital records are official documents that record key life events, such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. In San Bernardino County, these records are maintained by local government offices and are often used for legal, personal, and historical purposes.

What Are Vital Records?

Vital records are government-issued documents that verify important life events. These include:

  • Birth certificates – confirm date and place of birth.
  • Death certificates – verify the death of an individual.
  • Marriage records – document legal unions.
  • Divorce records – record the official dissolution of marriages.

These documents serve as legal proof of status and are often required for government procedures, genealogical research, and personal verification. The California Department of Public Health oversees the overall standards for vital records across the state, ensuring accuracy, privacy, and accessibility.

Vital records are considered part of the public records , although access may vary depending on the type of record and the requester’s relationship to the individuals involved.

How Records Are Maintained in San Bernardino

In San Bernardino County, vital records are managed by different government offices depending on the record type:

  • Marriage Records: Maintained by the San Bernardino County Recorder‑Clerk. These include both marriage licenses and marriage certificates. The Recorder‑Clerk stores copies of the documents and can issue certified copies for legal or personal use.
  • Divorce Records: Managed by the San Bernardino County Superior Court. The court handles divorce decrees and certificates, including confidential filings. Copies can be requested by eligible parties for legal, immigration, or personal purposes.

Record custodians in San Bernardino ensure that all documents follow legal standards and maintain both public access and confidentiality where required. This structure helps residents obtain government records efficiently while protecting sensitive information

Marriage vs Divorce Record Types

Understanding the different record types can help when requesting vital records:

Marriage Records:

  • Marriage License: The legal permission to marry, issued before the ceremony.
  • Marriage Certificate: Official proof that a marriage occurred, issued after the ceremony.
  • Confidential Marriage Records: Available only to the couple or authorized parties.

Divorce Records:

  • Divorce Decree: The court’s final judgment that legally ends a marriage, often including details about property division, child custody, and support.
  • Divorce Certificate: A simplified summary confirming the divorce, typically used for official purposes such as remarriage or name changes.

San Bernardino Marriage Records

San Bernardino marriage records are official documents that verify a legal marriage in the county. They include marriage certificate, which can be requested by eligible parties for legal, personal, or genealogical purposes.

What Is a Marriage Record?

A marriage record in San Bernardino County is an official document maintained by the County Clerk-Recorder that confirms a legal union between two individuals. Marriage records typically include:

  • Full names of both spouses
  • Date and place of marriage
  • Names of officiant and witnesses
  • Type of marriage record (public or confidential)

Marriage records serve several legal purposes, including proving marital status for name changes, remarriage, immigration applications, or legal proceedings. While most marriage records are public, confidential marriage records are restricted to the couple and authorized parties only. This ensures privacy when necessary, while still maintaining a legal and official record.

Key Terms:

  • Certified Copy: Legally recognized copy suitable for official use.
  • Informational Copy: For personal use only; cannot be used for legal processes.

Who Can Request a Marriage Certificate?

San Bernardino County distinguishes between authorized parties and the general public when issuing marriage records:

Authorized Parties Include:

  • The spouses listed on the marriage record
  • Immediate family members (with proper documentation)
  • Legal representatives with notarized authorization

Public Access:

  • Standard public marriage records can be accessed by anyone for events over a certain age (varies by law), but personal details may be redacted.
  • Confidential records are not available to the public, even for genealogy or research purposes.

Understanding eligibility is critical before submitting a request to avoid denied applications or delays.

Steps Request Process In-Person Request

Residents can request a marriage certificate directly at the San Bernardino County Hall of Records:

  • Visit the Recorder-Clerk’s office during business hours.
  • Complete the marriage certificate application.
  • Present an accepted form of ID (driver’s license, passport, or government ID).
  • Pay the applicable fee.
  • Receive either a certified copy or informational copy, depending on eligibility.

By Mail (Application + Notarization)

For those unable to visit in person:

  • Download the application form from the county website.
  • Complete all fields accurately, including full names and marriage date.
  • Have the form notarized to verify identity.
  • Include a copy of an accepted ID and the processing fee (check or money order).
  • Mail to the County Recorder-Clerk’s office.
  • Receive the certified copy by return mail, typically within a few weeks.

This method is convenient but requires careful attention to avoid delays caused by missing information or improper notarization.

Online via VitalChek (Third-Party Service)

Residents can request marriage certificates online through VitalChek (vitalchek.com):

  • Submit the application digitally with required personal information.
  • Provide a scanned copy of a valid government ID.
  • Pay the fee online using a credit/debit card.
  • Receive the certificate via secure mail within a specified timeframe.

This is the fastest option for remote requests but comes with a service fee charged by the third-party platform.

Fees & Processing Times

  • Certified Copy: Typically $15–$20 per copy.
  • Informational Copy: Lower fees may apply.
  • Processing Times:
    • In-person: Same day in most cases
    • Mail: 2–4 weeks
    • Online (VitalChek): 5–10 business days plus shipping

What Is a Confidential Marriage Record?

A confidential marriage record is a limited-access record that protects the privacy of the couple.

  • Only the spouses may request or access the record.
  • Cannot be used for genealogical research or public verification.
  • Issued with the same legal validity as a standard marriage certificate.

San Bernardino Divorce Records

San Bernardino divorce records are official documents confirming the legal dissolution of a marriage. These include divorce decre issued by the court and certificates that summarize the divorce, which can be requested for legal, personal, or genealogical purposes.

What Are Divorce Records?

Divorce records in San Bernardino County serve as legal proof of marital dissolution. There are two primary types:

  • Divorce Decree: A detailed court document issued by the San Bernardino Superior Court that finalizes a divorce. It typically includes:
    • Names of the spouses
    • Date and place of divorce
    • Property division and spousal support information
    • Child custody and visitation arrangements (if applicable)
  • Divorce Certificate: A simplified version of the decree, often used for official purposes such as remarriage, immigration, or legal verification.

Example: If Jane and Robert finalized their divorce, the decree would include custody and financial details, while the certificate would confirm only that the divorce was legally finalized.

Where Divorce Records Are Held

San Bernardino divorce records are maintained in two main places:

  • San Bernardino County Superior Court
    • Most divorce records after 1984 are stored here.
    • The court maintains official decrees and can issue certified copies.
  • California Department of Public Health (CDPH) – for older records
    • For divorces finalized before 1984, abstract records are maintained by CDPH.
    • These are less detailed than modern court records but can provide essential verification for legal or genealogical purposes.

These custodians ensure that court records and vital records comply with privacy standards while remaining accessible to authorized parties.

How to Search Divorce Records

Residents can search for divorce records through multiple methods:

  • Online Court Portals & Case Searches
    • The San Bernardino Superior Court website provides access to recent divorce filings.
    • Users can search using names, case numbers, or filing dates.
    • Some records may be viewable online, but certified copies require formal requests.
  • In-Person Court Visits
    • Visiting the Superior Court allows access to records not available online.
    • Staff can assist in locating specific case files and issuing certified copies.
  • Third-Party Services
    • Certain platforms provide court records requests online, though these may include service fees.

Requesting a Certified Copy

To obtain a certified divorce copy, follow these steps:

In-Person Request

  • Visit the San Bernardino Superior Court clerk’s office.
  • Complete the divorce record application.
  • Present valid government-issued ID.
  • Pay the applicable certification fee.
  • Receive the certified copy immediately or within a few days.

Mail Request

  • Download the application from the court’s website.
  • Complete all required fields, including names, case numbers, and divorce dates.
  • Include a copy of accepted ID and the processing fee (check or money order).
  • Mail to the Superior Court clerk’s office.
  • Certified copies are returned by mail, usually within 2–4 weeks.

Fees & Processing Times:

  • Certified copies typically cost $15–$20 per copy.
  • Standard mail processing can take 2–4 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Residents often have common questions about obtaining San Bernardino marriage and divorce recor, including timelines, eligibility, and differences between record types. Below are clear answers to the most frequently asked queries.

How long does it take to get my marriage certificate?

Processing times vary depending on the method of request:

  • In-person request at the Recorder‑Clerk Hall of Records: Usually same day or within 1–2 business days.
  • Mail request: Typically 2–4 weeks, depending on postal delivery.
  • Online requests via VitalChek: Usually 5–10 business days plus shipping.

Can I get someone else’s record?

Access depends on the type of record and your relationship to the individuals:

  • Public marriage records: Accessible to anyone requesting a non-confidential copy.
  • Confidential marriage records: Only the spouses or legally authorized representatives can obtain copies.
  • Divorce records: Most divorce records require you to be an authorized party, such as one of the spouses or a legal representative.

Understanding record eligibility requirements is essential to avoid denied requests or delays.

What if my record was from another county?

If the marriage or divorce occurred outside San Bernardino County:

  • Contact the Recorder‑Clerk or Superior Court in the county where the event took place.
  • For marriages or divorces in California prior to 1984, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) may hold the record.
  • Always check the correct official portal for that county to submit a request.

This ensures you request the record from the correct custodian rather than the wrong county.

What’s the difference between public and confidential records?

  • Public records: Available to anyone for legal, genealogical, or personal use. Includes most marriage certificates issued after public filing.
  • Confidential records: Restricted access to the spouses and authorized parties only. Cannot be used for public research or third-party verification.

Knowing the type of record you need helps determine which office to contact and which application to submit. For instance, if you want a certified copy for legal purposes, make sure you are eligible before applying.