Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

Been to a few places to get birth certificates. This was the best. Not crowded, plenty of parking in back, nice building. If you’ve done this a few times you already know not to expect roses and chocolates, but all info was clear and Quick. I was out in 10 minutes. Amaaaaaaaaazing!

I was expecting DMV wait times with similar customer service from the employees at this office of the LA County Registrar. I was thoroughly impressed with not only the 58 minute wait time (from the time I left my car to the time I got back in my car with the copy of my birth certificate) but also the customer service I received from Christian R. He was friendly, cordial and efficient.

So I came here today to get a replacement birth control certificate since I was born in LA county. For starters I had a hard time even finding this place because it doesn’t look like the typical government building, at least not the type of building you find in Riverside County which is where I live now. I drove past it a couple times and didn’t realize it was the court registrar’s office I was looking for, and it was in between some buildings that looked run down. So there’s absolutely no parking lots nearby to park in, I had to park down one of the side streets where I thought my car was going to be broken into lol. Anyway parked and walked down the street, and went into the main office. The receptionist was rude and very short with me like she didn’t care to help direct me to the proper place. She was very impatient and gave me lame directions to the place where I needed to get my birth certificate. Anyway the officer on duty was nice and friendly. Went to the other office, walked up to the window and the lady there gave me a hard time about my birth cert application because I had listed my last name change due to marriage as a legal name change, and apparently that «isn’t a legal name change.» Or at least that’s what she told me with some attitude. Oh well excuse me, I was under the impression that it was considered a legal name change. Anyway rudeness all over the place here. The only good thing is that there wasn’t a line and it wasn’t crowded… Probably because no one wants to deal with their crappy customer service so they go to another office!

Came here for our marriage license. Make sure to apply online first then show up within 15 days to pick up your license.
We showed up early about 10mins after the office opened and waited only 10mins after we checked-​in the main office. Make sure to print your confirmation and have your IDs ready. Our whole process literally took 20mins.
Once your marriage is finalized and the papers are signed you can either mail it in or drop off the paper here. Easy process!

Just went there today to get a birth certificate. We arrived at 10:25am and was done after 5mins!!! I applied online and had a print out. When I arrived, I asked the staff for the process, where to fall in line and paid cash. I am literally out the door at 10:30am!!! They were very helpful and very nice! It was a very smooth process!!! Kudos to them

Marriage License Pick-​up:
You have 15 days to pick up your marriage license from the day you apply online.
NO EXPIRED Photo ID otherwise they turn you away, I saw it happen.
PRINT & Take a pic of your confirmation # because they don’t email it to you. I only printed & accidently left it at work & the guy gave me a bit of a hard time. I guess it was my lucky day because after 2 – 3 times of him telling me I didn’t print it when I told him I did but accidentally left it at work, he looked up my name & got my confirmation. One of the ladies in the main office warned me that they might not be able to pull up my confirmation when I get to the window… they obviously could, it’s a question of if they want to or not. So be nice!
When you arrive, MAKE SURE to Check-​in in the Main Office before getting in line outside.
Arrived on a Thursday at 12:15. Out the door at 1:40p. I recommend coming before it opens. If we arrived at 12:30 we would of had to wait much longer. At 12:30, about 40 people got dropped off by the bus and the line began to extend beyond the zig zag ropes.
2 windows with 3 employees casually chit chatting with each other while everyone is anxiously waiting because they can. Grrrrr county workers…
Paid the extra $ 15 for our marriage license to be mailed in after we get married. Otherwise you need to come back and wait in the line to turn it in & I THINK you have to go to Norwalk for that. Not certain, didn’t ask.
Goodluck!

I hate this place. Every time I go I look at the line and I get right back into my car. I’ve done this about 3 times already. Also, why does it look like they have 50 million employees at the front desk and the line is so huge next door? Maybe management need to relocate some personnel. Just a suggestion.

They don’t open at 8:30 we have been here since and the line hasn’t moved. Its 9:24am and the doors just opened. Cheese and rice really people come on!!! Get it together.

Friendly staff. A nice & clean, feeding & changing room for all the moms of small babies. Long wait but I think that’s to be expected. So bring your patience, snacks, water & a pen.

Came here to get our marriage license!
QUICK TIP: for the marriage license, fill it out online beforehand and bring your confirmation number. It is much easier and more convenient, but if you can’t, you can pick up the forms at the check in office.
First things first: it is really important to check in with your basic information on the giant computer screens in the main office. If you need certain forms, you can ask the ladies sitting behind the desk. Once you check in, walk out of that office and go to your left to stand in line. You have to wait in the outside line and wait for a window to open up and the clerk or security guard will grant you access.
We went on a Thursday around lunch time, so there was only one clerk working at the time and the line moved SUPER SLOW! (A snail could have probably moved faster than the line did!) But once it was our turn, the process was quick and the woman who helped us was nice, helpful, and knew what she was doing. We showed our IDs, verified the info on the marriage license, and paid the fee. The whole process took about 2 hours.
There is street parking or you can park for free in the parking lot. The parking lot entrance is on Dangler Ave.
There is a «convenience fee» for debit/​credit cards, just FYI.

Parking lot entrance is on Dangler Ave.
Walk in and check-​in with your basic info on the giant monitors. Get any forms you need from the ladies sitting behind the desk. Then go out into the courtyard and to the left and wait in line! Hopefully you brought a pen with you so you can fill out the form in line so people don’t rush in front of you while you stand in the check-​in office. Better yet you printed and filled out the form prior to coming. Only 10 people in front of me in line (Friday 9:45AM) — but the line moves super slow. Once I’m at the window its 3minutes total (photo ID– drivers license is preferred, and $ 28– cash preferred) to have an official birth certificate in my hand.
«That’s what happens when they don’t listen to me. I don’t like it when they don’t listen to me.» — Security Guard watching a couple who waited 20min in line to get turned away from a window bc they didn’t check-​in at main office first

Parking is great, there’s plenty of it! Not too much line I came in before noon. My question was answered quickly and I’m out.

Long lines in the heat, slow service. I would rather be at DMV. (It’s that bad). Dozens of people outside with only one teller working inside.
Same spot 20 minutes…

Place is closed starting June 30, 2014 until late August. Knowing this place is government operated completion won’t be done until 2020.

I love how this is not in downtown, so the parking is convenient. There are plenty of spaces.
I went on a Thursday morning, so the lines processed fairly quickly.
Everyone was nice and clear.
The lines are outside, though. If you go in good weather, you will be fine.
There will also be construction taking place at this location in July– August of 2014, I believe, so check to see if it is open before you go.

My experience was pretty much easy breezy! Im truly amazed how it only took 10 minutes tops. What would of made this 5stars, if it was announced somewhere on the website that they take cash! Warning, money orders have to be verified before receiving your birth certificate. But if it hasnt been 48hrs from purchase, you are asked out, they cannot verify! (western union, ugh) Lucky I had cash on me. Oh and also they have parking… Free!

We got our marriage license here a few weeks ago. The reason for only two stars is that the line you wait in to be seen is OUTSIDE! Not like at the DMV when it’s such a long line that it extends outside. I mean, unless it’s your turn you are outside. The structure where you do business is tiny and only accommodates people who’s turn it is. The day we were there it was only 10am and already above 90 degrees. We waited for just over an hour, standing and sweating in the heat. Everyone was sweating.
It seems crazy that this government building where people do important things like get birth certificates and marriage licenses is not more of a real structure. It kind of feels like it belongs in rural Mexico or as a historic mission structure near Santa Barbara.
We parked around the corner for free. The security guard and woman who came out to answer questions were both friendly. The line moved pretty slowly but eventually we got the license.
Also, like another reviewer said, I had thought this was going to be downtown but E Cesar Chavez Ave is a long street and it’s actually a good distance East of downtown.
Tip 1: For marriage licenses, fill out the application online to save time and just bring your verification number.
Tip 2: If you’re going to be married outside of LA County but in California, you have to fill out the «public» marriage license application, as opposed to the private one which is only for LA.

We got our marriage license at this registrar’s office last month. We thought it was downtown — whoops, Cesar Chavez is a long street, you guys.
Parking was easy, and the office was impossible to miss. It was in its own little structure walled off from the long winding outdoor line. It reminded me of a ticketing booth for an amusement park. The line moved slowly.
Once we were up, the process was quick and the woman who helped us was polite and competent. We got our marriage license taken care of, and as far as I know, anyway, we are officially married in the eyes of God, country, and the Los Angeles County registrar.

I went yesterday with my fiancé to apply for our marriage license.
You have to wait in line outside and wait for a window to open up and the clerk will waive you in. I had already filled the application out online so it made the process much smoother. They were able to locate our application by searching our names.
We showed our IDs, verified the information on the application, paid the fee, and were pretty much on our way. The clerk helping us was very nice. We had a pleasant experience.
Tip: There’s a parking lot behind the building. We didn’t know and parked in the residential area around the corner. Pay by cash or check as there is a «convenience fee» for debit/​credit cards.

Monday afternoon, came to get a marriage license. Waited in line for maybe 20 mins. Not bad. It wasnt really packed. Even the girl working there was a little surprise. This office is really small. Only has like 4 windows, servicing all. Marriage licenses, copies of everything as well.
The lady who helped us was really nice and she explained/​answered all our questions.