California Marriage License

As stated in our contract, you MUST have a marriage license issued by a California County Clerk’s office BEFORE the ceremony in order for me to perform your ceremony and have it legally recognized. You must BOTH be present to have the Marriage License issued to you.

First, there are two types of licenses in California.

Public marriage license details:

  • Effective immediately (there is no waiting period in California);
  • Valid for 90 days from the date of issuance;
  • The ceremony may be anywhere in the State of California;
  • No residency requirement;
  • No blood test required;
  • If under 18 years of age, must contact Juvenile Court;
  • A witness required for the ceremony (one witness is required, but there is space on the license for two witnesses);
  • Certified copies available in approximately two to eight weeks;
  • Certified copies may be obtained, for a $15 fee;
  • A public record. This means anyone with your name and the $15 fee can obtain an “informational copy” of your Marriage Certificate, which includes sensitive information such as your parents’ full birth names, your birth date, address and your full birth name.

Confidential marriage license details:

  • Effective immediately (there is no waiting period in California);
  • Valid for 90 days from the date of issuance ;
  • The ceremony may be anywhere in the State of California;
  • No residency requirement;
  • No blood test required;
  • If under 18 years of age, must contact Juvenile Court;
  • No witnesses required;
  • Certified copies available in approximately two to eight weeks;
  • Certified copies may be obtained, for a $15 fee;
  • A confidential record is only accessible by you. This protects your identity and personal information such as your parents’ full birth names, your birth date, address and your full birth name from being accessible by anyone with your name and $15 for an “informational copy” of your Marriage Certificate!

Get Your California Marriage License

Here are your links to the Clerk’s offices of the California Counties I regularly serve:

Northern California

Southern California


If you have any questions about obtaining your license or other legalities, I am more than happy to assist you in any way I can.