Marriage License
Marriage License
GENERAL INFORMATION
You must obtain a Marriage License BEFORE having a ceremony.
A Marriage License is valid for ninety (90) days with NO EXTENSIONS. A ceremony MUST occur within ninety (90) days of the Marriage License issuance and must be within the State of California.
After the ceremony, the Marriage License must be signed by your Officiant and returned (by the Officiant; this is specified on the back of your Marriage License) to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for registration. This must be accomplished within ten (10) days after the ceremony.
After the County has registered the Marriage License, you may purchase copies of your Marriage Certificate (legal Proof of Marriage). The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk will only automatically send you a marriage certificate if you pre-pay for these Certificates.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Both parties MUST appear together before the County Clerk at the time of issuance.
Both parties MUST present a valid and current government-issued photo ID.
Both parties MUST be 18 years of age or older.
Both parties MUST be unmarried at the time the Marriage License is issued.
If either party was previously married and the dissolution is not yet final, even if it will be final before the wedding date, the County will NOT issue you a Marriage License.
If the dissolution was final within the last 90 days, you will be required to provide the Clerk with a copy of the Court's Final Judgement.
If you are in a State Registered Domestic Partnership (SRDP), you may not enter into a marriage or be issued a Marriage License with someone OTHER than your registered Domestic Partner, UNLESS the most recent Domestic Partnership has been terminated or a Final Judgement of Dissolution or Nullity has been entered.
There is no Residency requirement for the issuance of a Marriage License.
If you are currently married, please scan and email me a copy of your Marriage Certificate for my records.
In this circumstance, your ceremony will legally be considered a renewal of vows. Please be assured that we do not need to announce this detail to your guests.
How do I purchase my Marriage License before the wedding day?
STEP # 1: Select the Marriage License you prefer
You can get married anywhere in the State of California. You may have a Marriage License issued in any California County and use it in any other California County. As a general rule, set an appointment with the County to obtain your Marriage License approximately 30 days before your Wedding Day.
California offers you choices in Marriage Licenses:
PUBLIC
You need at least one witness and up to two witnesses present during your ceremony.
The witnesses DO NOT have to accompany you to the County Clerk's Office to purchase your Marriage License.
It is recommended that the witnesses both be adults.
The Marriage Record is recorded and made available to the public.
CONFIDENTIAL
You must state that you are living together as a couple.
No witnesses are required.
The Marriage is recorded, but records are confidential and are only available to the couple or by Court Order.
Step # 2: Visit the County’s Online page
& Complete your marriage license application form.
Do this the week you intend to purchase the Marriage License and not sooner, since the Counties purge their database every 15 days.
Go to the County's Online Website and fill out the Marriage License Application one week BEFORE you go to the County Offices. If you do this, your Marriage License will already be filled out and ready when you approach the clerk at the window.
You should also make an appointment with the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk to obtain your marriage license. Some Counties REQUIRE that you set an appointment.
Los Angeles County Website
Orange County Website
Santa Barbara Website
Ventura County Website
Riverside County Website
San Bernardino County Website
San Diego County Website
Step #3: Go to the County Clerk’s Office and purchase your Marriage License.
You must appear together at the County Clerk/Registrar-Recorder Office to get your Marriage License. You will be required to present Valid Identification to county officials. The valid forms of identification that the county will accept are as follows: driver's license, government-issued identification card, passport or birth certificate, and a valid photo ID.
After signing your Marriage License at the County Clerk's office:
please do not write anything on the document.
do not fold your Marriage License.
keep it and its envelope dry.
COUNTY RECORDER OFFICES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The following County Office locations and days and hours of operation are provided for your convenience.
Location Days and Hours of Operation are subject to change.
You are urged to telephone the particular office you intend to visit and verify the days and hours they are open for business before visiting that office.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
NOTE: Los Angeles County lets you Pre-Pay for Marriage Certificates when you purchase your Marriage License.
If you exercise this option, they will automatically mail your Pre-Paid Marriage Certificates directly to the address you provide to the county.
NORWALK
12400 Imperial Highway Norwalk, CA
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
BEVERLY HILLS
9355 Burton Way, Fourth Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 PM
LANCASTER
44509 16th Street West, Suite 101
Lancaster, CA 93534
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
LAX/COURT HOUSE
11701 S. La Cienega Blvd, 6th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
EAST LOS ANGELES
4716 East Cesar Chavez Avenue, Building B
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
FLORENCE/FIRESTONE
7807 Compton Avenue, Room 102
Los Angeles, CA 90001
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
VAN NUYS
14340 West Sylvan Street
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
ORANGE COUNTY
SANTA ANA
OLD ORANGE COUNTY COURTHOUSE
211 W Santa Ana Blvd. Room #201,
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION SOUTH
601 N. Ross Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
SOUTH COUNTY BRANCH OFFICE
LAGUNA HILLS CIVIC CENTER
24031 El Toro Road, Suite 160
Laguna Hills, CA
Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
NORTH COUNTY BRANCH
WELLS FARGO BUILDING/PARKING
222 S. Harbor Blvd. Suite 110A
Anaheim, CA 92805
Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Main Phone: (714) 834-2500
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
RIVERSIDE (Gateway)
2724 Gateway Dr.
Riverside, CA 92507
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
RIVERSIDE (Downtown)
4080 Lemon St, 1st Floor
Riverside, CA 92502
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
HEMET
880 N. State Street, Suite B-6
Hemet, CA 92543
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
BLYTHE
270 N Broadway
Blythe, CA 92225
Tuesday and Thursday ONLY: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
TEMECULA
41002 County Center Drive, #230
Temecula, CA 92591
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
PALM DESERT
38-686 El Cerrito Rd.
Palm Desert, CA 92211
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
SAN BERNARDINO
222 West Hospitality Lane
San Bernardino, CA 92415
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (909) 387-8314
APPLE VALLEY
LIBRARY
14901 Dale Evans Parkway
Apple Valley, CA 92307
Monday-Friday 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (760) 240-7710
FONTANA
LIBRARY
16860 Valencia Ave.
Fontana, CA 92335
Call for hours (909) 854-6397
VENTURA COUNTY
County Government Center in Ventura County Clerk, Hall of Administration
Main Plaza
800 South Victoria Avenue, VENTURA, CA 93009
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Appointments are highly recommended.
Marriage licenses can also be obtained through the City of FILLMORE Finance Department.
Please call (805) 524-3701 for additional information.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
SANTA BARBARA
Hall of Records
1100 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93102
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
SANTA MARIA
Betteravia Govt. Center
511 East Lakeside Parkway, Suite 115,
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
LOMPOC
Clerk-Recorder's Office
401 East Cypress Street, Rm 102
Lompoc, CA 93436
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
To make an appointment, call (805) 346-8370 in Santa Maria
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
SAN DIEGO
Recorder/Clerk Main Office, County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260
San Diego, CA 92101
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
SANTEE
East County Office
10144 Mission Gorge Rd
Santee, CA 92071
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
CHULA VISTA
590 3rd Ave.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
SAN MARCOS
141 E Carmel St.
San Marcos, CA 92078
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Recorder/Clerk (619) 237-0502
NAME CHANGE (Optional)
If you wish to change your name, please inform the Clerk when purchasing your Marriage License.
The Name Equality Act of 2007 gives specific rights to parties at the time they are applying for a California Marriage License in order to chose and list, on the Marriage License, the new name that each party will go by after the marriage.
While you are not required to change your name after marriage, California does offer you the option to do so if you wish.
If you intend to change your name, please inform the Clerk at the time your Marriage License is issued. This will initiate the name change process.
To legally change your name in California after marriage, you must list your new name on your marriage license application and then use your certified marriage certificate to update your name with the Social Security Administration, DMV, and other agencies. You do not need a separate court order to change your name after marriage.
Before the Ceremony:
Complete a Marriage License Application: Go to your county clerk's office to get and fill out a marriage license application.
List Your New Name: In the designated space on the application, write the new middle or last name you wish to use after the marriage.
Obtain the License: The county clerk will issue the marriage license.
After the Ceremony:
Get Your Marriage Certificate:
Once you are married, you will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
Update Your Social Security Record:
Inform the Social Security Administration of your name change and provide them with the certified marriage certificate. More information from the Social Security Administration at this hyperlink.
Update Your Driver's License/ID:
Go to a California DMV office with your certified marriage certificate to get a new driver's license or identification card. More information from the California Department of Motor Vehicles at this hyperlink.
Update Other Documents:
Use your marriage certificate to change your name on your passport, bank accounts, and any other documents or accounts. More information from the U.S. State Department on how to change your name on your Passport at this hyperlink.
Access services to help you with the protocol and procedures for changing your name at this link
What happens with my Marriage License on my wedding day?
Step #4: your Marriage License on your Wedding Day
Important Reminders for Your Marriage License:
- Bring the License: Please ensure you bring your valid Marriage License with you on your wedding day. I cannot legally officiate the ceremony without it.
- Keep it Pristine: Do not fold or allow the license to get wet, as this can invalidate the document.
- Designate a Responsible Holder: Since you will be busy before the ceremony, I highly recommend entrusting the license to your Wedding Coordinator or another responsible party. This person can present it to me upon my arrival.
If you purchased a PUBLIC Marriage License:
I will need to meet with your two witnesses before the ceremony so they can sign the license. Since members of the wedding party (e.g., Maid/Matron of Honor, Best Man) are often occupied with photos, it is advisable to choose witnesses who are not similarly engaged, such as a parent or grandparent.
If you purchased a Confidential Marriage License:
There will be no witnesses and I do not need to meet with anyone.
I will complete the Marriage License myself.
What happens to
your Marriage License after your Wedding Day?
Step # 5: Your Marriage License after your wedding day:
The officiant is legally required to return your Marriage License back to the issuing County within 10 days after the marriage ceremony.
This legal requirement is clearly printed on the back of your Marriage License.
On the first business day after your wedding I will return your completed Marriage License to the issuing County via the US Postal Service Priority Mail. That evening I will send you an Email with a hyperlink to the US Postal Service and a Tracking Number from the US Postal Service for your Marriage License. You may then visit the US Postal Service website, enter your Tracking Number and see the status of your Marriage License’s delivery to the issuing County.
Step #6: Once the issuing County Clerk’s Office receives your Marriage License from the US Postal Service:
Once the issuing County receives your Marriage License it will take them up to four (4) weeks [Note: it takes Los Angeles County up to eight (8) weeks] to process and record your marriage in the State of California. After the County has recorded your marriage you may obtain Marriage Certificates (legal proof of marriage) from the issuing County.
How do I obtain
copies of my Marriage Certificates (Legal Proof of Marriage)
after my wedding day?
Step #7: How do you obtain Marriage Certificates (legal proof of marriage) from the County that issued you your Marriage License?
At the time you purchase your Marriage License only Los Angeles County offers couples the option to Prepay for Marriage Certificates (proof that a marriage has been recorded between you both in the State of California.) If you prepaid Los Angeles County for Marriage Certificates they will generate and mail your Marriage Certificates to the address you provided the County Clerk on the day you purchased your Marriage License.
Certified copies of the Marriage Certificate may be purchased from the County that issued your Marriage License in three (3) ways:
In Person: You can obtain copies of your Marriage Certificate by visiting the specific County Clerk's Office where you purchased your Marriage License and purchasing the certificates at the Clerk's window in person.
Online: Order Marriage Certificates online through the issuing County's website. Follow the County's Online ordering instructions.
Through the Mail: Ordering Marriage Certificates through the US Mail from the issuing County:
Simply download, print and fill out the County’s Order Form and Proof of Identity Form.
Complete the Forms.
Stable a check made out for the correct amount to the upper left hand corner of the Order Form.
Have a Notary Public notarize your signature on the Proof of Identity Form.
Insert all of these Forms into an envelope and mail them to the issuing County (I recommend using Certified Mail with signature required by the recipient, this will track and provide you evidence of delivery to the issuing County.)
The issuing County will then mail you copies of your Marriage Certificate to the mailing address you provided the County.