Please check the type of marriage license you would like to apply for. Apply for a marriage license contra costa county clerk. This web page will give you general information regarding the requirements for the issuance and registration of public and confidential marriage. All applicants are required to complete an electronic marriage application on a kiosk located within one of the recordercounty clerk facilities.
A couple must sign under penalty of perjury that they are over 18 years of age and currently living together as spouses. California marriage license how to get married in ca. Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from issuance date for a ceremony anywhere in the state of california. Confidential marriage certificates are only available to the parties to the marriage and cannot be viewed by a third party without a court order. How much does california marriage license cost in 2020. The registration of public and confidential marriages in california is a local and state function. The county supervisor, city clerk, or mayor shall obtain. Fees marriage licenses cost by state us marriage laws. In california, marriage licenses are issued by each county and must be applied for by the couple in person. If you know the answer to this question, please register to join our limited beta program and start the. 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 choose and list, on the marriage license, the new name that each party will go by after marriage. The fees and hours of issuance for a marriage license. A marriage license is only a permit to get married and you are not married until a ceremony is performed by an authorized person.
Certified copies are required for federal and state governmental purposes, such as immigration issues, military proof and name change after marriage. Marriage license fees california under ca marriage license laws requirements. The name equality act of 2007 changed california s marriage laws effective january 1, 2009 california family code section 306. If divorced within the last 6 months, copy of dissolutiondecree will be required. Ca marriage license laws requirements marriage license ca. If you do not get married within 90 days, the license becomes void and you must reapply to purchase a new license. Jaimie mackey was the brides real weddings editor from 20 to 2015. It seals your private information from the public so that nobody can access that information without a court order. Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. There is 1 marriage license office per 581,833 people, and 1 marriage license office per 2,324 square miles the state of california is ranked 36th in marriage license offices per capita, and 33rd in marriage license offices per square mile. For each county, the county clerk is designated as a commissioner of civil marriages. There is no waiting period, blood test nor residency requirements to be married in california. Marriage information san bernardino county, california.
The california confidential marriage license is one of a kind in this country. Marriage licenses will be issued by appointment only at honda center in anaheim at the corner of e. The license may be used only in the state of california and. Getting your marriage license sacramento county, california. She also worked as a luxury wedding planning producing over 100 highend weddings. How much does the marriage license fee cost in fullerton, california. The name equality act allows the couple, at the time they are applying for their marriage license, to choose and list on the marriage license the new name that each party will go by after marriage. Ceremonies at the clerks offices have been suspended until further notice as the clerks office is limiting public access at all. You do not have to be a california resident or citizen of the united states to be married in california. With the tight regional jurisdiction of the california confidential marriage license being waved, california county clerkrecorders are facing a whole new problem. Obtaining a marriage license marriage licenses may be obtained at. Anyone may purchase from the county clerk in the county in which the license was issued a certified copy of the marriage certificate.
Certified copy of court order is required when applying for a marriage license. If both applicants reside outofstate and are able to present valid proof of photo identification indicating their outofstate address at the time of filing the. Everything you need to know about getting married in. If a minor is obtaining a marriage license, a certified copy of the court order will be required. The license can be used anywhere in the state of california. California residency and us citizenship are not requirements for marriage in california. How much does a marriage license cost in california. Valid picture identification of party a and party b. The only exceptions to the 3day waiting period are. Marriage license application acceptance statement before beginning the marriage license application process, please complete the acceptance statement below.
The marriage record is made available to the public upon formal request. California marriage license software california prenuptial agreement form v. For guidance on additional methods of payment, please call ahead. Any of the county clerks offices in one of california s 58 counties can be visited by the couple to obtain a marriage license. Parties must physically appear together in person at the county clerks. The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.
Information for marriage license applicants marriage license issuance between 8. A confidential marriage license is valid for ninety 90 days. At the time of applying for a california marriage license, one or both. Applying for a marriage license alameda county, california. A blood test is not required to obtain a marriage license. Marriage certificate application mono county california. Accepted forms of payment are cash and money order. Changes to your name cannot be made once your license is issued the name equality act. Getting a marriage license in san diego anytime weddings. See the fees page for the cost of certified copies.
A marriage license is valid for 60 days from date of issuance and can be used in any county in florida not just the one in which it was issued. This type of marriage license requires the signature of at least one witness and one person solemnizing the marriage. The license issued at the time of appearance is valid for 90 days. There is no waiting period to receive your license. Requests for marriage licenses must be made before 4. Apply for a marriage license santa clara county, california. Alameda county clerkrecorders office, 1106 madison street, oakland ca 94607 or 7600 dublin boulevard, dublin, ca 94568. And, hiring a professional marriage license filing service is the answer. The license may be used in any county within the state of california.
To prepare for this process, it is recommended that applicants download and complete a paper. The name equality act of 2007 ab 102, chapter 567, statutes of 2007 gives specific rights to parties, at the time they are applying for a california marriage license. If youre getting married in california, you must first apply for a marriage license. A copy of a marriage certificate can be obtained by mail if the marriage license was issued in orange county. License and certificate of marriage vs 117 this is the standard type of marriage license. How much does a marriage license cost in california answers. California marriage license, registration and ceremony. Whoever performs your marriage ceremony has, by law, ten 10 calendar days from the date of the ceremony to file the marriage certificate with our office.
Application for license to marry confidential marriage record application marriage record application. There is no appointment needed to apply for a marriage license. You will also need to order at least one certified copy of your marriage license and certificate on your wedding day. There are 67 marriage license offices in california, serving a population of 38,982,847 people in an area of 155,747 square miles. The ceremony may take place anywhere in the state of california, at least one witness must be present to sign the license, and applicants must be unmarried and at least 18 years of age. Both figures belong to inyo county and san francisco county, respectively. The cost for a marriage license in california varies from county to county. The office of the county clerk is currently closed to the public to prevent the spread of covid19. Obtaining a marriage license stanislaus county, california. California couples can choose from two types of marriage licenses. A marriage license must be purchased prior to a marriage ceremony occurring and may be obtained at the county clerkrecorder office between the hours of 8. Select an application method from the table below to download applications and get additional information. Please read the following important information about name changes before completing your marriage license application. California marriage license, registration and ceremony information.
Couples may apply for either a public marriage license or a confidential marriage license. To qualify for a public marriage license, you must be 18 or older or have written consent from one parent or legal guardian along with permission from a california. A marriage ceremony may be performed at the church or chapel of your choice by persons authorized to. California marriage license software free download. Most county websites allow you to download and complete the application form prior to visiting the clerks office. An orange county marriage license can be used anywhere in california and will expire 90 days after the day that the license is issued. A california marriage license is a permit to get married. California marriage license general information cdph ca. The regular public marriage license and the confidential license can be used in any county in california. Marriage can take place in any california county even if the license is purchased in san joaquin county. Limited services are available by mail or online ordering. The cost varies based on county, city or municipality, residential status, and in some cases, completion of a premarital counseling or education course. The california family code provides for a continuous and permanent marriage registration system.
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