Marriage License in California: A Full Info

From majestic mountains to silky sand seashores, the Golden State is residence to quite a few dreamy backdrops for a unprecedented wedding ceremony ceremony. Plus, with a strong vendor market and (counting on the place inside the state you’re tying the knot) virtually good year-round local weather, it’s no shock that California is no doubt one of the crucial sought-after wedding ceremony ceremony areas inside the continental United States. Nonetheless regardless of whether or not or not you’re tying the knot on the long-lasting San Francisco Metropolis Hall, web internet hosting a recent affair inside the coronary coronary heart of Los Angeles, or planning a rustic celebration at a vineyard in Napa Valley, there’s one issue you’ll utterly have to do sooner than it’s possible you’ll say “I do” beneath the Californian photo voltaic: To ensure your marriage is legally acknowledged, you’ll first need to use for a marriage license in California.

Much like in each different state, California has just some nuances referring to buying this significant pre-wedding doc—and that nuance begins with understanding the two sorts of licenses the state presents. Once you resolve which license is biggest for you, it would be best to take into consideration the suitable timeframes and areas to make use of, the required documentation to hold to your appointment, and the post-ceremony steps you’ll need to take.

To be taught additional in regards to the utility course of, that is an in depth data on how one can pay money for a marriage license in California, from what variety of witnesses you’ll have to how prolonged will most likely be official for.

The Fully totally different Sorts of Marriage Licenses in California

Inside the state of California, it’s possible you’ll apply for a confidential marriage license or a public marriage license. Whereas every are legally binding (which means you’ll have to break as much as end the marital union), each has completely totally different requirements, which we unpack beneath.

Confidential Marriage License in California

A confidential marriage license is a confidential report, not a public report. So, solely the married couple would possibly request licensed copies of the doc, as long as they current their IDs and pay the associated cost. For anyone exterior of the union who wants a reproduction, they’ll should present a courtroom order to take motion.

Once you’re considering this kind of license, you ought to be residing collectively on the time of constructing use of (which you’ll should affirm by signing an affidavit). You don’t need any witnesses to attend the ceremony or sign on the dotted line—making it an incredible selection for elopements. There are moreover age restrictions: You and your future associate must be 18 years earlier, and there aren’t any exceptions for minors.

Public Marriage License

Similar to the title implies, a public marriage license is a public report. Due to this anyone (not merely the married couple) can request licensed copies of the doc within the occasion that they pay the required cost. Once you’re fascinated by buying this kind of marriage license, you’ll desire a minimal of 1 witness to attend your ceremony and as a lot as two witnesses to sign the doc. You must even be a minimal of 18 years earlier to make use of for a public marriage license, nevertheless within the occasion you are a minor, it’s possible you’ll proceed with written consent from a approved guardian and permission from a California superior courtroom determine.

The place to Apply for a Marriage License in California

As quickly as you’ve got bought determined which sort of license to amass, you may start the equipment course of. Inside the state of California, it’s possible you’ll head to any county clerk’s office; your in-person appointment (which every you and your companion ought to attend) wouldn’t have to occur inside the county by which you plan on getting married. So, within the occasion you apply in Orange County, you’re free to marry in Napa County or each different county all through the state. You will, nonetheless, should file the doc in that particular person county.

When to Apply for a Marriage License in California

Since your license is official for 90 days from the date it’s issued, on the very most, it’s possible you’ll apply in your California marriage license three months sooner than your nuptials. Once you don’t deal with to have your ceremony inside that time interval, though, your license will expire, so that you just’ll need to use and pay for a model new license—and there is not going to be any refunds. After you acquire your license (which is ready to happen on the day of your appointment), there isn’t any prepared interval in California, which means it’s possible you’ll tie the knot as rapidly as you get the doc.

Documentation Wished to Apply for a Marriage License in California

There are only a few objects you’ll have to carry to your appointment on the county clerk’s office. Whereas the requirements will fluctuate counting on the actual county, normally, it would be best to come again equipped with the following paperwork:

• Proof of Identification and Age: To point out your identification and age (a minimal of 18 years earlier), each particular person will need official image identification containing {a photograph}, date of starting, full approved title, and dates of issue and expiration. This generally is a passport (US-issued or worldwide), naturalization certificates, resident alien card, driver’s license, or military ID. Some counties also can request your starting certificates or Social Security amount.
• Proof of Divorce: This goes with out saying, nevertheless it’s possible you’ll’t be married to anyone else when you apply in your marriage license. When you will have been beforehand married, you would possibly need to provide the date of the divorce decree and the rationale your marriage ended or the date of your former associate’s lack of life. When you will have been beforehand married and the dissolution was closing all through the earlier 90 days, a reproduction of your closing judgment is required.
• Money: Whatever the place you e ebook your appointment, you’ll have to pay a cost in your marriage license. The payment varies counting on the county, ranging from $57 to $119, and some counties solely accept cash, so be sure you confirm the requirements of the actual county ahead of time. You could current the payment each when you schedule the appointment or all through the appointment.

Discover ways to Get Married in California

On the day of your appointment up until 90 days after your marriage license is issued, it’s possible you’ll make your method over to your venue to say “I do.” Since marriage by proxy is simply not permitted in California (other than military personnel), you’ll every must be in attendance. You might also have to hold your marriage license with you, so your officiant and witness (solely related with public marriage licenses) can sign. Whereas anyone of any age is normally a witness (as long as they’re in a position to ending their job), your officiant must be a priest, minister, rabbi, determine, magistrate, or one different accredited official.

After you commerce vows, your officiant will fill out the paperwork and sign it. When you will have a public marriage license, this accredited explicit particular person might even acquire signatures from you, your associate, and a minimal of 1 witness. Inside 10 days after your wedding ceremony ceremony ceremony, the presider will return the doc to the county clerk’s office to file it, the place it is going to develop to be a marriage certificates. One different 10 days after the doc is saved, you can purchase licensed copies of your marriage certificates on-line, by mail, or in particular person for a cost.