How to Get Married at The Marin County Civic Center : Danya + Troy

A guide to the process ~ from getting your marriage license to walking out as newlyweds.

The ultimate step-by-step guide to eloping or having a civil ceremony at Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece in San Rafael, California — including marriage license requirements, ceremony details, photography locations, and everything couples need to know before they go.

Let me walk you through it, step by step.

Why Get Married at the Marin County Civic Center?

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Final Masterpiece

The Marin County Civic Center is not just a courthouse. It is Frank Lloyd Wright’s final and largest public commission, designed in 1957 and completed posthumously by his protégé Aaron Green after Wright’s death in 1959. It stands as one of the most significant works of 20th-century American architecture — a National Historic Landmark, a California Historical Landmark, and a building currently being considered for UNESCO World Heritage designation.

For couples who love architecture, getting married here is the equivalent of exchanging vows inside a living work of art.

Wright designed the building around his philosophy of “organic architecture” — the idea that a structure should grow naturally from its site and harmonize with the landscape around it. The Civic Center sits between two hills in San Rafael, and Wright literally connected them with his building, allowing the hills to flow through and beneath it. The result is a structure that feels both monumental and deeply rooted in the California landscape.

The building is immediately recognizable: long, sweeping horizontal lines echo the rolling hills of Marin County. A brilliant blue roof mirrors the California sky. Gold accents and spires catch the afternoon light. Inside, open-air atria flood the corridors with natural light, and the arched arcades create a rhythm of shapes that repeat endlessly, drawing the eye down long, cinematic hallways.

George Lucas was so moved by this building that he modeled the city of Naboo in Star Wars after it. Film directors, photographers, and architects have been returning here for decades. For couples who love design, there is simply nowhere else like it.

Step 1: Obtain Your Marriage License

In California, you must have a marriage license before your ceremony takes place. Both partners must appear in person at the County Clerk’s Office to apply.

Where: Marin County Civic Center, Room 234, Second Floor 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Allow enough time to complete your transaction by 3:30 p.m. The office is closed on County holidays.)

Phone: 415-473-6772

What to bring:

Both partners must come together
Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID — U.S. or foreign passport, U.S. driver’s license, U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or Consular ID card. Foreign or international driver’s licenses are not accepted.
If either partner does not speak English or Spanish, bring a translator
If either partner has been divorced in the last 3–6 months, bring proof of divorce (electronic copies are not accepted)

You can pre-fill your application online at the Marin County Marriage License Application System before your visit to save time.

Choosing your license type:

Public Marriage License ($85): Becomes a public record. Requires at least one witness to be present at your ceremony.

Confidential Marriage License ($93): Not a public record — can only be accessed by the couple. No witnesses required at the ceremony. You must be living together as a couple to qualify. This option is popular with celebrities, law enforcement personnel, and anyone who values privacy.

Pro tip: If you plan to change your name after marriage, decide on your new name when you apply for the license. This is the easiest moment to make that choice — changing it later requires a court order.

Your license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, so you can obtain it on the same day as your ceremony or in advance.

Step 2: Book Your Ceremony Appointment

Civil wedding ceremonies at the Marin County Civic Center are performed by a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages, by appointment only.

Available days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays only

Available times: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., or 2:00 p.m.

Ceremony fee: $56

To book: Call 415-473-6772 during business hours (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

Appointments can fill up, especially during popular months, so book as soon as you know your date. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to check in, complete any remaining paperwork, and get oriented before your ceremony.

Step 3: Know Your Ceremony Options

Couples getting married at the Civic Center have a choice of two settings:

The Garden Area: An outdoor space surrounded by the landscaping of the Civic Center grounds. Ideal for couples who want natural light, open sky, and California greenery as their backdrop.

The Wedding Room (Indoor): An intimate indoor ceremony room within the County Clerk’s Office. Note that this room holds a maximum of 6 people, including the couple — so if you’re bringing guests, plan accordingly.

Witness requirements: If you have a public marriage license, you must bring at least one witness. No witnesses are required with a confidential marriage license.

Photography: Cameras are permitted throughout the Civic Center. For safety reasons, nothing may be thrown inside or around the building — but bubbles are allowed for your celebration.

Step 4: Optional — Have a Friend or Family Member Officiate

If you’d prefer to have someone you know perform your ceremony rather than a Deputy Commissioner, the Marin County Clerk’s Office offers deputization. A friend or family member can be appointed as a one-time officiant for your specific event.

Deputization hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Deputization fee: $60

Call 415-473-6772 to arrange this in advance.

Alternatively, you can be married by a licensed religious or civil officiant of your choice outside the Civic Center setting — simply obtain your license, arrange your own ceremony, and have your officiant return the signed license within 10 days of the ceremony (to Room 232 for public licenses, or Room 234 for confidential).

Step 5: After Your Ceremony — Getting Your Marriage Certificate

Your officiant will submit your signed marriage license after the ceremony. Once processed, you can request certified copies of your marriage certificate.

Cost per certified copy: $19.00 (as of January 1, 2026)

You can request copies in person at the Recorder’s Office (Room 232) or the County Clerk’s Office (Room 234), or by mailing a notarized request with payment. Authorized certified copies are valid for legal purposes such as obtaining a passport or updating a driver’s license.

Practical Information for Out-of-Town Couples

Address: Marin County Civic Center 3501 Civic Center Drive San Rafael, CA 94903

Getting there from San Francisco: The Civic Center is approximately 20–30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge via US-101. It is also accessible via the SMART commuter train from downtown San Rafael.

Parking: Free parking is available on site.

Nearby: San Rafael’s downtown dining scene is excellent for a post-ceremony celebration dinner. The broader Marin County area — including Point Reyes, Muir Woods, and Stinson Beach — offers spectacular natural settings for extended elopement days.

When to visit: The building is open Monday through Friday. Ceremonies are available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Morning appointments (10:00 or 11:00 a.m.) typically offer the most consistent outdoor light for photography in all seasons.

Quick Reference: Costs and Requirements

Item	Details	Cost
Public Marriage License	Both partners in person, valid photo ID, 1+ witness at ceremony	$85
Confidential Marriage License	Both partners in person, valid photo ID, must cohabitate, no witness required	$93
Civil Ceremony at Civic Center	By appointment, Tue/Wed/Thu at 10am, 11am, 1pm, or 2pm	$56
Friend/Family Deputization	One-time officiant appointment	$60
Certified Marriage Certificate Copy	Available after ceremony	$19 each

Total for a civil ceremony with public license: approximately $160 before photography

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get the marriage license and have the ceremony on the same day? Yes. You can obtain your license and schedule your ceremony appointment on the same day, as long as you arrive early enough to complete the license process before your ceremony time.

How many guests can attend? The indoor wedding room holds a maximum of 6 people including the couple. The garden area can accommodate a slightly larger group. If you want a larger gathering, consider using the Civic Center purely as a photography location and holding a separate ceremony elsewhere.

Is the building accessible? Yes, the Marin County Civic Center is fully accessible.

What if we don’t speak English? The County Clerk’s Office serves couples in both English and Spanish. If neither partner speaks English or Spanish, you must bring a translator to both the license application and the ceremony.

Can we get married on a Monday or Friday? The County Clerk’s Office is open for marriage license applications Monday through Friday, but civil ceremonies are only performed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Scheduling Your Day

There are different session options available.

The 2-hour session covers ceremony and couples photos comfortably

The 3 hour session covers ceremony, couples photos, license/check-in process, and group photos

The 4 hour session covers ceremony couples photos, license/check-in process, group photos, and another location nearby so you can have the architecture and some beautiful outdoors location too.

If you have other ideas that need a longer session please inquire. I love working with couples to make their dream day happen!

Planning Tips

There aren’t tours on Tuesday making it a great day to get married. (You’ll have more of the place to yourself.)
Shoes matter. There’s a lot of walking across lawns, tile, and polished hallways — pick something you can actually move in.
Weekday only. Ceremonies are Tuesday–Thursday, so this is inherently a weekday-wedding, low-stress kind of day.
Arrive early. Plan to get there about 30 minutes ahead to finish paperwork. Cameras are welcome; just note that nothing can be thrown in or around the building (bubbles are the exception).

Let’s design your perfect day!

I’ll help you shape a timeline, pick the best spots inside the building, and plan what happens after ~ whether that’s North Beach portraits or a quiet celebration at your favorite restaurant.

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