| Welcome to the State of California, Department of Health
Services web page. This web page will give you general information
regarding the requirements for the issuance and registration of public
and confidential marriage licenses in California, as well as answer many
frequently asked questions regarding the laws pertaining to marriage
licenses and ceremonies in California. For further information, please
contact the County Clerk or County Recorder’s Office in the county where
you will be applying for the marriage license. General Information
You do not need to be a California resident to marry in California.
Only an unmarried male and an unmarried female may marry in
California.
Marriage by proxy is NOT allowed in California. Family Code,
Section 420(a) requires the bride, groom, marriage officiant and witness
if applicable, be physically present together in the same location for
the marriage to be performed.
Blood tests are NOT required to obtain a marriage license in
California.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All fees and hours of issuance for a marriage license may vary by
county.
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. Download a copy
of the
Application for Certified Copy of Marriage or Divorce Record (VS 113A).
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.
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