Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a Marriage License?
- Both parties must be present at the time the license is purchased
- Both parties must provide a valid photo ID. Acceptable types of ID are: driver's license, DMV identification card or passport.
- You will need full birth names for each party, including mother's maiden name
- You will need the state or country of both parties parents
- If either party has had a marriage or state registered domestic partnership terminated within the last three months, a certified copy of the decree must be presented when applying for a marriage license. If more than three months, the exact month, day and year of termination is required.
- Pay the fee for a public marriage license by cash, check or money order payable to the County Clerk. For current marriage license fees, click here.
How do I obtain a Confidential Marriage License?
- Both parties must be present at the time the license is purchased
- Both parties must provide a valid photo ID. Acceptable types of ID are: drivers license, DMV identification card or passport.
- You will need full birth names for each party, including mother's maiden name
- You will need the state or country of both parties parents
- If either party has had a marriage or state registered domestic partnership terminated within the last three months, a certified copy of the decree must be presented when applying for a marriage license. If more than three months, the exact month, day and year of termination is required.
- The parties must currently be living together as a couple.
- The license can only be used in California
- Only the couple may purchase a certified copy of the license. They must present valid ID.
- Pay the fee for a confidential marriage license by cash, check or money order payable to the County Clerk. For current confidential marriage license fees.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
- Civil marriage ceremonies are conducted Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
- The ceremony can be performed immediately following the issuance of the license.
- All fees are non-refundable. For current civil marriage ceremony fees, click here.
- 8-10 guests are allowed.
- You must bring at least one witness for a public marriage ceremony. No witnesses are required for confidential marriage ceremony.
Miscellaneous Information
- Minors, emancipated minors included, cannot be licensed to marry in California without a parent's written consent and a Superior Court Order. Please call for more information. Stanislaus County Superior Court website.
- There are no state residency requirements.
- The public or confidential marriage license can be used anywhere in the state of California.
- One witness is required on the public marriage license. Two are also acceptable. No witnesses are necessary for the confidential marriage license.
- Certified copies can only be ordered after the ceremony has taken place, at the County Clerk Office. For the current fee for a certified copy of a public or confidential marriage license.
- Marriage may be solemnized by any priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination, a judge or retired judge, commissioner or retired commissioner, or assistant commissioner of a court of record, a judge or magistrate who has resigned from office, or by a person authorized to do so under Family Code Section §401.
How do I obtain a Fictitious Business Name Statement?
There are two methods for applying for a Fictitious Business Name Statement:
- By personally appearing at the County Clerk Office
- By mail
Walk-in Applications for a Fictitious Business Name Statement can be obtained at the:
Stanislaus County Clerk Office,
1021 I Street, Suite 101
Modesto, California
95354-0847
Directions
Phone: (209) 525-5250
Fax: (209) 525-5804
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Mailed applications can be sent to:
Stanislaus County Clerk Office
PO BOX 1670
Modesto, California
95353
Obtaining information:
For recorded information call (209) 525-5250
Who must file:
- Persons doing business for profit under a fictitious name (does not include surname in company name)
- Statement must be filed in county of principal place of business, and may also be filed in other counties as long as the requirements for filing in the county of principal place of business have been met
Requirements to file:
- File within 40 days of business start date
- Owner must sign (corporate officer if corporation; manager or member if limited liability company)
- Street address of principal place of business and county must be listed (corporation/limited liability companies must include an address and State of incorporation/organization)
- There are fees for the first business name on the statement and for each additional business name on the same statement and doing business at the same location. Additional fees are charged for each additional owner in excess of two owners. For current fees, click here
- A filed copy of the statement must be published once per week for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in Stanislaus County (list available at County Clerk Office or click here)
- Publication begins within 45 days of filing
Conditions:
- Filing does NOT reserve the name-it is for consumer protection purposes only
- Filing is good for 5 years if no changes are made
- Any change except owner residence address requires re-filing and republication within 40 days of the change
- Name must be abandoned if no longer in business by filing a statement of abandonment, paying the fee, and publication. For current statement of abandonment fees, click here. For the Statement of Abandonment for, click here.
Additional Information regarding the filing of a Fictitious Business Name Statement:
- Be certain the information in the statement is correct and complete before filing it. You cannot make changes to the statement once it has been filed. Any changes would require the filing of a new statement, payment of the filing fees again, and publication in a newspaper of general circulation in Stanislaus County. For a listing of newspapers of general circulation, click here.
- When you file a fictitious business name statement, it does not reserve the name for your exclusive use. The filing is for consumer protection, and is a requirement under Business & Professions Code Section 17900.
- The County Clerk Office cannot refuse to file a fictitious business name statement because the name is already being used by someone else.
- If there is a conflict between business owners using the same or similar names, it becomes a legal matter between the business owners.
- All information contained in the statement is a PUBLIC record. Anyone can purchase a copy of the statement.
- All original filings as well as filings with a change in the facts from the previous filing must be published. The statement must be published in a newspaper of general circulation, once per week for four consecutive weeks. The first publication must begin within forty five days of the date the statement is filed in the County Clerk Office. A list of newspapers is available from the County Clerk Office, or click here.
- The affidavit of publication must be filed in the County Clerk’s Office within forty five days of the last date of publication in order for your filing to be valid.
- Renewals that have no changes from the previous statement do not require publication as long as the requirements referenced in Business and Professions Code Section 17917 have been met.
- The statement is valid for five years from the date it is filed in the County Clerk Office, unless there is a change in any information (except the registered owners address). A change requires a new statement be filed within 40 days of the change. The new statement would also need to be published.
- If you have any questions regarding the filing of your fictitious business name statement, please call 209-525-5250, or come to our office at 1021 I Street, Suite 101, Modesto, CA 95354.
Where to get forms:
- Come to the Stanislaus County Clerk Office, 1021 I St., Suite 101, Modesto, CA 95354
- Mail a self-addressed stamped envelope to County Clerk, P. O. Box 1670, Modesto, CA 95353 requesting the form
- Download form [PDF]
How to get information about a fictitious business name statement filed in Stanislaus County:
- Call 209-525-5250
- Come into the County Clerk Office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Write to the County Clerk Office and include a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Fictitious Business Statements are generally only one page. The fee for a certified copy is the same as any general copy. For current fees, click here.
How do I apply for a Passport?
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click here.
The Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder’s office is a passport acceptance agency. Passport application processing is by appointment only. Appointments must be scheduled online.
Click here to schedule your appointment.
Only the DS-11 form is accepted at our location. You must submit the DS-82 renewal form by mail to the Department of State.
What to Bring to your Appointment:
- Available on the internet at: U.S. Department of State website.
- When printing forms from the internet, print each page on a separate sheet of paper.
- Type or print clearly in black ink only.
- Forms also available at the Clerk-Recorder’s office.
If your passport is taking longer than expected to arrive, you can call the U.S. Passport Services for help.
National Passport Information Center
(877) 487-2778 - Direct Line
(888) 874-7793 - TDD
Hours: 8:00 am. - 8:00pm, Monday through Friday - Eastern Time
The Center is closed Saturday, Sunday and Federal Holidays
24 hour automated service 7 days a week
Click here for additional contact information.
How do I obtain a copy of my naturalization papers?
For copies of naturalization papers, you should contact the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. It may take up to a year to obtain copies. Below are the contact information for the U.S. Immigration and County Clerk Office.
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
National Customer Service Center Phone: (800) 375-5283
Website: http://www.ice.gov or http://www.uscis.gov
County Clerk Office Phone: (209) 525-5250
How do I obtain a copy of my Divorce decree?
The Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder does not maintain divorce records. That is a function of the Stanislaus County Court Clerk. For information on divorce records, you can contact the Superior Court or visit their website.
