About Amador County

As early as 1843, John Sutter dispatched men - some with families - to stands of cedar and sugar pine on the ridge between today's Amador and Sutter Creeks. He called the place "Pine Woods." Sutter's men worked there sawing wood, producing charcoal, and manufacturing other items needed at Sutter's Fort. Even for a time after the gold discovery, Sutter's men still worked at Pine Woods. Before statehood, what is now Amador was part of the San Juaquin District and in 1849 had at least three precincts - Drytown, Volcano, and Buena Vista Ranch - in the statewide elections of 1849. When California became a state in 1850, Calaveras was one of the original 27 counties organized. But citizens northerly of the Mokelumne River were quickly dissatisfied with being a stepchild province. After several years agitation, the county was finally divided in 1854 and on June 14th, Amador was born. In later years it acquired land north of Dry Creek from El Dorado County and gave up its easterly Sierra territory when Alpine County was formed in 1863. Jackson, which had been the county seat of Calaveras for a time in 1851-1852, edged out Volcano to become county seat of the new county. Volcano threatened to wrest the honor away in 1857, but the effort was stymied in the legislature at the eleventh hour. Jackson may be the only city which has been the county seat of two counties. Amador County is the only county in the state named after a native Californian - Jose Maria Amador, a wealthy ranchero before the gold rush, whose great ranch covered much of what is now Amador Valley near Danville. He and his employees mined along a creek in this county in 1848 and 1849. That creek became known as Amadore's Creek, and soon after, camps called Amadore Crossing and South Amadore or Amadore City were founded. Miners in the latter camp in 1852 first petitioned that a proposed new county be called "Amador" In 1854, when legislation dividing Calaveras was debated, a motion to name the new county Amador instead of Washington was adopted. Facts provided by: Larry Cenotto, Amador County Archivist

This item is courtesy of the Amador County Chamber of Commerce

www.amadorcountychamber.com
517 South Highway 49, Jackson, CA 95642
209-223-0350

Amador County Public Agencies

Licensing | Marriages 

Amador County Airport / Westover Field
Amador County Animal Control & Adoption
Amador County Archives
Amador County Film Commission
Amador County Grand Jury
Amador County Library
Amador County Recreation Agency
Amador County Supervisors
Amador County Transportation
Amador County/Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA)
Amador County Water Agency
Amador Firesafe Council
Other Amador County Departments

Amador County License Information 

County Clerk's Office:

  • Vital Statistics (Births/Deaths)
  • Official Records
  • Passport Applications
  • Marriage License Issuance
  • Fictitious Business Names
  • Photocopier
  • Unlawful Detainer License
  • Notary Bond filings
  • Oaths
  • Confidential Marriage Certificate
  • Process Servers
  • Legal Document Assistant

Marriage License Information

State of California  

Both Parties must be present
Both Parties must be 18 years of age or older
Identification: Valid Photo Identification
Must have Full Name of Parents including Mother’s Maiden Name
Must know the State their Parents were born in.
Wedding Licenses Are Available
Monday – Friday from 8 am – 3:30 p.m.
No Waiting period or blood test necessary
License fee is $65 - (must be used within 90 days or it expires)
Check or Cash - NO DEBIT CARDS
If divorced in the last year you
must have a copy of your judgment order.

Amador County Clerk-Recorder’s Office
810 Court Street
Jackson, CA 95642
(209) 223-6468

California Public Marriage License may be obtained in any county clerk’s office in the State of California and used in any other County in the State
License fee - $65.00 in Amador County Only
Cost may be higher in other counties.
Check with the proper agencies for more information
Hours: Monday – Friday Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
For questions, please call 209-223-6468.