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There are two types of marriage licenses a couple may apply for: Regular and Confidential.
Both licenses may be obtained at the County Clerk-Recorders Office.
NEW LAW PERTAINING TO NAME(S) ON MARRIAGE LICENSES EFFECTIVE 01-01-2010
What you should know about the Name Equality Act of 2007.
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Regular (Non Confidential) Marriage License
A regular (non confidential) marriage license is valid for ninety (90) days from the date it was issued. It is a permit to
marry. You are not legally married until the marriage is solemnized by a person authorized to do so. The
license can be used anywhere in the State of California. You do not need a blood test. You must present
the license to the person who is to perform the marriage ceremony. It is their responsibility to return
it to the County Clerk for filing within ten days after the ceremony.
To apply for a regular (non confidential) marriage license you will need:
- Both Applicants must be present to apply.
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$57.00 for the marriage license fee. Issuing a duplicate license costs $20.00
(In case the first one is lost, destroyed, or altered.)
- The Applicant's parents full birth names, including mother's maiden name.
- State or country of birth of Applicant's parents.
- Date of dissolution of most recent previous marriage.
- Photo ID required.
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Confidential Marriage License
A confidential marriage license is valid for ninety (90) days. It can only be used in the
county it was issued in. A couple must sign under penalty of perjury that they are over
18 years of age and currently living together as spouses. A certified copy of the marriage
license may be obtained by either applicant, with photo ID or by court order.
To apply for a confidential marriage license you will need:
- Both Applicants must be 18 years or older and be present to apply.
- $60.00 Confidential License Fee.
- Both Applicant's parents full names, including mother's maiden name.
- State or country of birth of both Applicant's parents.
- Date of dissolution or death of most recent previous marriage.
- Photo ID required.
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Who may solemnize marriages
Family Code Section 400
Marriage may be solemnized by any priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination, a judge or
retired judge, commissioner or retired commissioner, or assistant commissioner of a court of record, a
judge or magistrate who has resigned from office, or by a person authorized to do so under Family Code
Section 401.
Family Code Section 401
For each county, the county clerk is designated as a commissioner of civil marriages. The commissioner
of civil marriages may appoint deputy commissioners of civil marriages who may solemnize marriages under
the direction of the commissioner.
Civil marriage ceremonies are performed at the Clerk-Recorder's Office, Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM by appointment
only, for a processing fee of $35.00. Appointments are made 24 hours in advance.
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Marriage License Applications
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