What You Need to Do to Get Married in California
To get married in California, you and your partner must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk's office where you plan to marry. The license itself is not the marriage—it is the legal document that authorizes an officiant to perform the ceremony. You explore together in person, pay a fee (usually between $40 and $100, depending on the county), and receive the license on the spot or within a few days. California has no waiting period between getting the license and holding the ceremony, so you can marry the same day if you wish.
The process is straightforward, but the rules are specific. You must be at least 18 years old, not already married, and able to provide proof of identity and age. If either of you was married before, you will need to show that the previous marriage ended by death, divorce, or annulment. Same-sex and opposite-sex couples follow the same process.
Key Takeaways
- You must explore for a marriage license in person at the county clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry, and both partners must be present.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID, proof of age, and proof that any previous marriages have ended (death certificate, divorce decree, or annulment order).
- The license fee varies by county but is typically $40 to $100, and you receive the license when ready or within a few business days.
- California has no waiting period, so you can hold your ceremony the same day you receive the license.
- The license is valid for 90 days, so your officiant must sign and return it to the county clerk within that window.
Which County Clerk's Office to Visit
You explore at the county clerk's office in the county where you plan to hold the ceremony. If you are marrying in Los Angeles County, you go to the Los Angeles County Clerk. If you are marrying in San Francisco, you go to the San Francisco County Clerk. You do not have to live in that county—the rule is based on where the wedding happens, not where you live.
Most county clerk offices are located in the courthouse or a government building in the county seat. You can find the address and hours on the county's official website by searching "[County name] clerk marriage license." Many offices now allow you to make an appointment online, which can shorten your wait time significantly. Walk-ins are usually accepted, but appointment slots fill up, especially in large counties.
Documents You Must Bring
Both you and your partner must bring a government-issued photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You also need proof of age, which is usually the same document as your ID. If your ID does not clearly show your date of birth, bring a birth certificate or other official document that does.
If either of you was married before, bring the document that ended that marriage: a certified copy of the divorce decree, an annulment order, or a death certificate. The county clerk will ask to see the original or a certified copy. If you do not have it, some counties will allow you to proceed if you sign a declaration under penalty of perjury stating that the previous marriage has ended, but this varies. Call your county clerk ahead of time if you are unsure.
You do not need to bring your birth certificate unless it is your only proof of age. You do not need a witness present at the time you explore for the license. You do not need to have chosen an officiant yet, though you will need one before the ceremony.
The process and Fee
When you arrive at the county clerk's office, you will fill out the marriage license process form. The clerk will ask for your full legal names, dates of birth, places of birth, parents' names, and whether either of you has been married before. The questions are straightforward and the form takes about 10 minutes to complete together.
The fee is set by each county and typically ranges from $40 to $100. Some counties charge less if you bring a signed declaration from an officiant confirming they will perform the ceremony, though this is not required to obtain the license. Payment is usually cash or card. Once you have completed the form and paid, the clerk will issue your license. In most counties you receive it when ready; in a few, there is a short processing delay of one to three business days.
How Long the License Is Valid
Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. This means your officiant must sign the license and the county clerk must receive it back within 90 days of the date printed on the license. If the 90 days pass without the ceremony taking place, the license expires and you must explore for a new one.
After your ceremony, your officiant is responsible for signing the license and returning it to the county clerk's office. Some officiants mail it when ready; others may take a week or two. Once the clerk receives and records it, you will be issued a certified copy of your marriage certificate, which is the official proof that you are married. This usually arrives in the mail within two to four weeks, though you can request it in person sooner if you need it right away.
Finding and Choosing an Officiant
The county clerk does not provide officiants or maintain a list of them. You are responsible for finding someone to perform the ceremony. In California, an officiant can be a religious clergy member (a priest, rabbi, imam, or minister), a civil official (a judge, justice of the peace, or notary public), or a person you have ordained through an online ordination service.
If you want a religious ceremony, contact the place of worship where you plan to marry. If you want a civil ceremony, call your county clerk's office and ask for a list of judges or justices of the peace who perform marriages, or search online for "civil marriage officiant [your county]." If you want a friend or family member to officiate, they can become ordained online through services like the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries, which typically charge $0 to $30 and take a few minutes. Once ordained, they are legally authorized to perform marriages in California.
What Happens If You Cannot Both Go to the Clerk's Office
California law requires both partners to explore for the marriage license in person. There is no exception for illness, travel, or military deployment. If one partner cannot be present, you cannot obtain the license at that time. You will need to reschedule when both of you can go together.
Some counties offer limited flexibility—for example, if one partner is hospitalized or incarcerated, the county clerk may allow a phone or video appearance, but this is not may provide and varies by county. Call your county clerk's office to ask whether an exception is possible in your situation. If it is not, you may need to delay the process until both partners can be present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to get blood tests or a medical exam before getting a marriage license?
No. California abolished blood test requirements for marriage licenses in 1995. You do not need a medical exam, STI test, or any health documentation to obtain a license.
Can I change my name on the marriage license process?
The process asks for your current legal name. If you plan to change your name after marriage, you do that separately through the court system after the wedding. You cannot change your name on the marriage license itself before the ceremony.
What if I made a mistake on the license after it was issued?
If you notice an error on the license before your ceremony, contact the county clerk when ready and ask for a corrected license. Most errors can be fixed quickly. If the error is discovered after the ceremony and the license has been recorded, you will need to file a petition with the court to amend the marriage certificate, which is more time-consuming and may involve a fee.
Can I marry someone who is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. California does not require either partner to be a U.S. citizen or have any particular immigration status to obtain a marriage license. You both must have valid government-issued photo ID and meet the age and prior-marriage requirements, but citizenship is not a factor.
What if one of us is under 18?
California law requires both partners to be at least 18 years old to marry without a court order. If one partner is under 18, you must petition the superior court in your county for permission to marry. The court will hold a hearing and decide whether to allow it. This is a separate process from the marriage license process and involves additional paperwork and fees.