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Free, Personalized Wedding Ceremony Guide Reservations, Deposits & Payments Guide To A Stress-Free Wedding For Ministers, Officiants, JPs & Celebrants Only |
California Marriage License Requirements Below is the information on what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the marriage laws before filling out the marriage license forms. In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document that allows you to officially be married under the law. Always check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are. Licenses are usually not valid for more than 30 days so you'll typically need to apply for your marriage license within one month of your wedding ceremony. You need to submit your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application. IMPORTANT: You are not officially married when you receive a marriage license. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your officiant your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation. Requirements vary as each marriage license bureau in California have their own requirements. If you have questions, please contact the appropriate California clerk's office ID Requirement: Picture id such as Drivers License or other valid identification. Some counties recommend bringing certified copies of your birth certificates. Know your parents names, mothers' maiden name and places of their birth. Application Requirement: Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the time of applying. Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Califorina. Waiting Period: No waiting period.
Previous Marriages: You must show proof of divorce, death or annulment. You need to bring a copy of your final divorce decree if you have divorced within the 90 days through past year (varies by county.) Fees: $40.00. Some counties will only accept cash. Other Tests: No tests. Under 18: If either the bride or groom is under 18, at least one of the minor's parents, Proxy Marriages: No. Cousin Marriages: Yes. Common Law Marriages: No. Same Sex Marriages: No. However, Domestic Partnership Certificates are available in San Francisco, Marin Counties and here. One partner must live or work in that county and both must have photo ID. Officiants: Any priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination, of the age of 18 years or over may perform marriages. Ministers must complete the marriage license and return it to the county clerk within 4 days after the marriage. Valid: License is valid for 90 days. Confidential License: A regular marriage license is a public record. A license and Certificate of Confidential Marriage is only accessible by the husband, wife, or by decree signed by a superior court judge. At least one witness is required to observe the solemnization for a regular, public ceremony. No witnesses are required to observe a confidential marriage ceremony. A regular license may be used throughout the state. However, the confidential license may only be used in the county of issue. The confidential license costs $80.00 same as the regular license.
Solemnization Authority : Marriage may be solemnized by any of the following who is of the age of 18 years or older:
Each county offers civil ceremonies performed by a judge or commissioner. The cost is approximately $40.00. For additional information call your County Clerk's office. Valid: License is valid for 90 days. IMPORTANT: State and county marriage license requirements can change so make sure you check with your local town clerk. This information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any plans. < County Clerk Address and Phone Number ListAlameda County Recorder1106 Madison St Oakland, CA 94607 510-444-1396 Map Alpine County Recorder P.O. Box 266 Markleeville, CA 96120 530-694-2281 Map Amador County Recorder 108 Court St Jackson, Ca, CA 95642 209-223-6469 Map Butte County Recorder 25 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 530-538-7691 Map Calaveras County Recorder Government Center San Andreas, CA 95249 209-754-6375 Map Colusa County Recorder 546 Jay St Colusa, CA 95932 530-458-0500 Map Contra Costa County Recorder P.O. Box 350 Martinez, CA 94553 925-646-2360 Map Del Norte County Recorder 457 F St Crescent City, CA 95531 707-464-7216 Map El Dorado County Recorder 360 Fair Lane Placerville, CA 95667 530-621-5490 Map Fresno County Clerk 2221 Kern St Fresno, CA 93721 559-488-3003 Map Glenn County Clerk P.O. Box 391 Willows, CA 95988 530-934-6407 Map Humboldt County Recorder 825 5th St Eureka, CA 95501 707-445-7593 Map Imperial County Recorder P.O. Box 1560 El Centro, CA 92243 760-339-4427 Map Inyo County Records P.O. Box F Independence, CA 93526 760-878-0410 Map Kern County Clerk 1655 Chester Ave Bakersfield, CA 93301 805-868-3588 Map Kings County Clerk 1400 West Lacey Blvd. Hanford, CA 93230 559-582-3211 Map Lake County Clerk 255 North Forbes St Lakeport, CA 95453 707-263-2293 Map Lassen County Recorder 220 South Lassen St Susanville, CA 96130 530-251-8217 Map Los Angeles County Registrar Records/County Clerk 12400 East Imperial Hwy 2nd Floor, Room 2207 Norwalk, CA 90650 562-462-2137 Map Madera County Clerk 209 West Yosemite Ave Madera, CA 93637 209-675-7724 Map Marin County Recorder Civic Center, Room 290 San Rafael, CA 94903 415-499-6092 Map Mariposa County Recorder P.O. Box 35 Mariposa, CA 95338 209-966-2007 Map Mendocino County Clerk P.O. Box 148 Ukiah, CA 95482 707-463-4370 Map Merced County Recorder Administration Building 2222 "M" St Merced, CA 95340 209-385-7501 Map Modoc County Clerk 204 Court St, Suite 107 Alturas, CA 96101 530-233-2512 Map Mono County Recorder P.O. Box 537 Bridgeport, CA 93517 760-932-5241 Map Monterey County 240 Church St,Rm 305 Salinas, CA 93901 831-647-7906 Map Napa County Clerk P.O. Box 298 Napa, CA 94559 707-253-4246 Map Nevada County Clerk 950 Maidu Ave Nevada City, CA 95959 530-265-1221 Map Orange County Recorder County Recorder P.O. Box 238 Santa Ana, CA 92702 714-834-2500 Map Placer County Clerk 11960 Heritage Oaks Place, #15 Auborn, CA 95604 530-889-7948 Map Plumas County Recorder P.O. Box 10706 Quincy, CA 95971 530-283-6305 Map Riverside County Clerk 2724 Gateway Drive Riverside, CA 92502 909-486-7000 Map Sacramento County Clerk P.O. Box 839 Sacramento, CA 95812 916-874-5522 Map San Benito County Clerk 440 5th St, Room 206 Hollister, CA 95023 831-636-4029 Map San Bernardino County Recorder Hall Of Records 222 West Hospitality Lane San Bernardino, CA 92415 909-387-8314 Map San Diego County Marriage Licenses P.O. Box 121750 San Diego, CA 92112 619-237-0502 Map San Francisco County Recorders City Hall, #167 San Francisco, CA 94102 415-554-4176 Map San Joaquin County Clerk P.O. Box 1968 Stockton, CA 95201 209-468-2362 Map San Luis Obispo County Recording Dept City Government Center Room 102 San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 805-781-5088 Map San Mateo County Clerk 401 Marshall St, 6th Floor Redwood City, CA 94063 650-363-4711 Map Santa Barbara County Clerk P.O. Box 159 Santa Barbara, CA 93102 805-568-2250 Map Santa Clara County Recorder 70 West Hedding San Jose, CA 95110 408-299-2481 Map Santa Cruz County Recorder 701 Ocean St, Rm 230 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-454-2800 Map Shasta County Marriage License Courthouse, Suite 102 Redding, CA 96001 530-225-5378 Map Sierra County Recorder Courthouse Square P.O. Box D Downieville, CA 95936 530-289-3295 Map Siskiyou County Clerk P.O. Box 8 Ureka, CA 96097 916-842-8084 Map Solano County Recorder 580 Texas St Fairfield, CA 94533 707-421-6319 Map Sonoma County Clerk P.O. Box 6124 Santa Rosa, CA 95406 707-527-3800 Map Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder 912 11th St Modesto, CA 95354 209- 525-5265 Map Sutter County Recorder Hall Of Records 466 2nd St Yuba City, CA 95991 530-822-7120 Map Tehama County Recorder 633 Washington Red Bluff, CA 96080 916-527-3350 Map Trinity County Recorder 101 Court St Weaverville, CA 96093 916-623-1222 Map Tulare County Marriage License County Civic Center, Room 203 Visalia, CA 93291 559-733-6518 Map Tuolumne County Clerk 2 South Green St Sonora, CA 95370 209-533-5570 Map Ventura County Recorder Office Lower Plaza, Admin Bldg L#1210 800 South Victoria Ave Ventura, CA 93009 805-654-2263 Map Yolo County Clerk P.O. Box 1820 Woodland, CA 95695 530-666-8130 Map Yuba County Marriage License 215 5th 4 Marysville, CA 95901 530-741-6341 Map |
