First Name: Last Name: California Wedding Officiants

Marriage Laws United States California CA Wedding officiants

Marriage license Laws in the state of California, here is what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the California marriage laws before filling out the California marriage license application.

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Marriage License in California

Residency Requirements:

You do not need to be a California resident to marry in California.

Application and ID Requirements:

To marry in California, the two parties may not be already married to each other or other individuals. Both parties must appear in person and bring valid picture identification to the County Clerk’s Office to apply for a marriage license in California. Valid picture identification is one that contains a photograph, date of birth, and an issue and expiration date, such as a state issued identification card, drivers license, passport, military identification, etc. Some counties may also require a copy of your birth certificate.

Proxy Marriages:

Marriage by proxy is NOT allowed in California. Family Code, Section 420(a) requires the two parties, marriage officiant and witness if applicable, be physically present together in the same location for the marriage to be performed.

Blood Test:

Blood tests are NOT required to obtain a marriage license in California.

Fees:

All fees and hours of issuance for a marriage license may vary by county.

Previous Marriages:

If you have been married before, you will need to know the specific date your last marriage ended, and how it ended (Death, Dissolution, Divorce or Nullity). Some counties may require a copy of the final judgment if your previous marriage ended by dissolution or nullity.

Valid:

Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you do not get married within 90 days, the license will no longer be valid. You must purchase a new license.

Civil Marriages:

Many County Clerks in California perform civil marriage ceremonies in their offices. For further information regarding civil marriage ceremonies, please contact the County Clerk’s Office directly to see if they provide this service.

Solemnization Authority:

California Family Code, Section 400 states the persons authorized to solemnize marriage ceremonies in California are as follows:

A priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination.

A judge or retired judge, commissioner of civil marriages or retired commissioner of civil marriages, commissioner or retired commissioner, or assistant commissioner of a court of record in this state.

A judge or magistrate who has resigned from office.

Any of the following judges or magistrates of the United States.

A justice or retired justice of the United States Supreme Court.

A judge or retired judge of a court of appeals, a district court, or a court created by an act of Congress the judges of which are entitled to hold office during good behavior.

A judge or retired judge of a bankruptcy court or a tax court.

A United States magistrate or retired magistrate.

A legislator or constitutional officer of this state or a member of Congress who represents a district within this state, while that person holds office.

The person solemnizing the marriage must return the original marriage license to the County Clerk or County Recorder as applicable within 10 days of the date of the ceremony. Addresses should be on the county site.

You will NOT receive a copy of your marriage license after you have been married unless you request and pay for a certified copy from the County Clerk or County Recorder as applicable.

ALL information on the marriage license MUST be legible, unambiguous and reproducible. DO NOT change any information on the license, cross out information, use white out, etc., as that will require the payment for and issuance of a duplicate marriage license. Contact the County Clerk’s Office if you have questions about completing the marriage license and/or incorrect information contained on the marriage license.

Types of Marriage Licenses:

Registration and Ceremony Information:

Copy of Certificate of Marriage:

You have to contact the County Recorder's Office in the county in which the marriage occurred to get a certified copy of a marriage license.

It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.

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To notify us of corrections or additions send an email to update@usmarriagelaws.com.  Please include the state and county information.

California County Clerk's Office

Alameda County Recorder Oakland, CA 510.272.6363	Alpine County Recorder Markleeville, CA 530.694.2281	Amador County Recorder Jackson, CA 209.223.6469
Butte County Recorder Oroville, CA 530.538.7691	Calaveras County Recorder San Andreas, CA 209.754.6375	Colusa County Recorder Colusa, CA 530.458.0500
Contra Costa Recorder Martinez, CA 925.646.2360	County Of Orange Recorder Santa Ana, CA 714.834.2500	Del Norte County Recorder Crescent City, CA 707.464.7216
El Dorado County Recorder Placerville, CA 530.621.5490	Fresno County Recorder Fresno, CA 559.600.2575	Glenn County Clerk Willows, CA 530.934.6407
Humboldt County Recorder Eureka, CA 707.445.7593	Imperial County Recorder El Centro, CA 760.339.4427	Inyo County Records Independence, CA 760.878.0410
Kern County Clerk Bakersfield, CA 805.868.3588	Kings County Clerk Hanford, CA 559.582.3211	Lake County Clerk Lakeport, CA 707.263.2293
Lassen County Recorder Susanville, CA 530.251.8217	Los Angeles County Clerk Norwalk, CA 562.462.2137	Madera County Clerk Madera, CA 209.675.7724
Marin County Recorder San Rafael, CA 415.499.6092	Mariposa County Recorder Mariposa, CA 209.966.2007	Mendocino County Clerk Ukiah, CA 707.463.4370
Merced County Recorder Merced, CA 209.385.7501	Modoc County Clerk Alturas, CA 530.233.2512	Mono County Recorder Bridgeport, CA 760.932.5241
Monterey County Salinas, CA 831.647.7906	Napa County Clerk Napa, CA 707.253.4246	Nevada County Clerk Nevada City, CA 530.265.1221
Placer County Clerk Auborn, CA 530.889.7948	Plumas County Recorder Quincy, CA 530.283.6305	Riverside County Clerk Riverside, CA 909.486.7000
Sacramento County Clerk Sacramento, CA 916.874.5522	San Benito County Clerk Hollister, CA 831.636.4029	San Bernardino Recorder San Bernardino, CA 909.387.8314
San Diego County San Diego, CA 619.237.0502	San Francisco County San Francisco, CA 415.554.4176	Orleans Town Clerk Albion, NY 716.589.5100
San Joaquin Clerk Stockton, CA 209.468.2362	San Luis Obispo County San Luis Obispo, CA 805.781.5088	San Mateo County Clerk Redwood City, CA 650.363.4711
Santa Barbara County Clerk Santa Barbara, CA 805.568.2250	Santa Clara County Recorder San Jose, CA 408.299.2481	Santa Cruz County Recorder Santa Cruz, CA 831.454.2800
Shasta County Clerk Redding, CA 530.225.5378	Sierra County Recorder Downieville, CA 530.289.3295	Siskiyou County Clerk Ureka, CA 916.842.8084
Solano County Recorder Fairfield, CA 707.421.6319	Sonoma County Clerk Santa Rosa, CA 707.527.3800	Stanislaus County Clerk Modesto, CA 209.525.5265
Sutter County Recorder Yuba City, CA 530.822.7120	Tehama County Recorder Red Bluff, CA 916.527.3350	Trinity County Recorder Weaverville, CA 916.623.1222
Tulare County Clerk Visalia, CA 559.733.6518	Tuolumne County Clerk Sonora, CA 209.533.5573	Ventura County Recorder Ventura, CA 805.654.2263
Yolo County Clerk Woodland, CA 530.666.8130	Yuba County Clerk Marysville, CA 530.741.6341

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