The State of California announced new fees for Birth Certificates, Death Certificates, Marriage Certificates, and CEQA services effective January 1, 2026. All mail orders must be postmarked before December 31, 2025, or new fees will apply.

Office of the County Clerk

We issue marriage, birth and death certificates, fictitious business names, City IDs, notary services, environmental filings, and professional registrations. Office Hours: Monday to Friday Processing Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Professional Registration Processing Hours: 8:00 am to 2:00pm Information Only: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Office of the County Clerk

Marriage License and Civil Ceremony Appointments Booking Site Currently Down

The booking site for marriage license and civil ceremony appointments is down due to the system automatically cancelling scheduled appointments. The Office of the County Clerk is working with the vendor to resolve this issue. In the meantime, we ask that you call 311 or (415) 701-2311 to request an appointment over the phone. We are working diligently to fix this and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

Services

Identification

Get a free SF City ID Card

Get an identification card to get City services and benefits if you live in San Francisco.

Birth and Death Certificates

Get a birth certificate for someone over 3

Birth certificates are available online, in-person, and by mail.

Get a birth certificate for someone under 3

Birth certificates are available in-person, and by mail.

Get a San Francisco death certificate more than 3 years ago

You can get a copy of a death certificate record for someone who died in San Francisco more than 3 years ago and after 1906.

Marriage and Domestic Partnerships

Get married in San Francisco

Getting married is a multi-step process. You must get a marriage license and have a ceremony to be married.

You can register at City Hall for a San Francisco Domestic Partnership, with the option of a commitment ceremony.

Have a civil marriage or domestic partnership ceremony at City Hall

Make a reservation for an in-person ceremony with 6 or fewer guests. Walk-ins are not allowed.

Request a commissioner for a wedding outside of City Hall

Get married by a County Clerk commissioner at a San Francisco location of your own choosing.

Become a deputy marriage commissioner for a day

Anyone over 18 can get authorized to perform a civil marriage ceremony for a specific couple.

Get a copy of a confidential marriage certificate

If you had a confidential marriage in San Francisco, get a copy of your marriage certificate from the County Clerk.

Fictitious Business Names

File a Fictitious Business Name (FBN)

Choose a name to use publicly, sometimes known as a "DBA" or "Doing Business As." It can either be the same as your legal business name or different.

Renew, change, or refile a Fictitious Business Name (FBN)

Tell the City if you want to change your registered trade name, address, or ownership information.

Publish your FBN

Have you completed and filed your FBN Statement form? Next step is to publish your FBN.

How to Abandon a Fictitious Business Name (FBN)

You must tell the City if you plan to abandon your business trade name or close your business.

Notary Public Services

Notary Services

Notary Publics are commissioned by the California Secretary of State but file the oaths of office with the San Francisco County Clerk.

Professional Registrations

Process Server, Professional Photocopier, Legal Document Assistant, and Unlawful Detainer Assistant Registrations

Environmental Filings

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents, agendas, and notices are filed with the Office of the County Clerk and are posted for public view for thirty (30) days. All notices will be posted within 24 hours of receipt (business days) in the Office.

New 2026 CEQA Fees

Resources

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notices

Fees for County Clerk Services

*New Fees for vital records and CEQA services effective January 1, 2026. All mail orders must be postmarked before December 31, 2025, or new fees will apply.

County Clerk Location Page

Office of the County Clerk

San Francisco City Hall

Signature Authentication for Apostille

The County Clerk must authenticate the birth or death certificate before the California Secretary of State office can provide you with the apostille service.

About

We help people file important documents related to personal or business matters. We protect your personal and property rights by being the repository for these documents. Anyone may examine these records if they have questions about the status of a business or individual.

Learn more about us

Contact information

Phone

Call415-554-4950

Request public records

Submit requests for the Office of the County Clerk.

Archived website

See previous website archived on Friday, November 4, 2022.