| What are the
different types of Marriage Licenses?
Public and Confidential
What is the
difference between a Public and a Confidential Marriage
License?
With a Public
Marriage License the record will become public record once recorded,
and with this type of Marriage License the Wedding Ceremony can take
place anywhere in California. In plain English that means that
anybody can obtain a copy of your Marriage License because it will
be a public record.
With a Confidential
Marriage License the record will be closed, and not opened to public
once recorded, and with this type of Marriage License the Wedding
Ceremony has to take place in Los Angeles County. In plain
English that means that nobody other than the Bride and Groom can
obtain a copy of this type of Marriage License since the
record won’t be open to the public.
Are all Notaries authorized to
issue a Marriage License?
No, only those that are part of
the Authorized Notary Program are allowed to issue a Marriage
License; Authorized Notaries are acting as agents of the
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
Can Authorize Notaries issue the
same Licenses issued by the County Clerk?
No, Authorized Notaries can ONLY issue Confidential
Marriage Licenses.
Do we need a
blood test to obtain a Marriage License?
No,
a blood test and health certificate
are NOT required to obtain a Marriage License.
Do I need to live in California to
obtain a Marriage License?
No, there is no residence or
citizenship status requirement.
What are
the requirements to obtain a Confidential Marriage
License?
1.
Both the Bride and Groom must be 18 or older.
2.
To obtain a Confidential Marriage License the applicants must be
living together as a couple.
3.
Both the Bride and Groom must be present and produce "Proof of
Identity" and age documents, such as a driver's license,
identification card, passport, or alien resident card.
4.
Applicants must be unmarried (a previous marriage is valid until the
final date of dissolution). Written proof of a divorce or the
dissolution of a previous marriage is required, if the event
occurred within the last two years or less. If the final dissolution
was more than two years ago, written proof is not required, but the
date of the final dissolution must be provided.
5. If
either the Bride or Groom became widowed in the last 2 years, he or
she must bring a copy of the death certificate. If it has been
more than 2 years we only need the date of spouse's death.
6. A
Ceremony has to be performed before the Marriage License expires (a
marriage license is good for 90 days). You may be married by a
priest, minister or rabbi of any religious denomination who is 18
years of age or older; an active or retired Judge, Commissioner, or
Assistant Commissioner of a court or record or Justice Court in this
State; or by a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages.
7. With a Confidential Marriage
License the Wedding Ceremony MUST take place
in Los Angeles County.
Are we legally
married once the Marriage License is issued?
No, for your
Marriage to be legal a Ceremony has to be performed. No particular
form for the Ceremony of Marriage is required, but the parties shall
declare, in the presence of the person solemnizing the marriage and
necessary witnesses, that they take each other as husband and wife.
What happens if my
fiancé can't be present for the Wedding Ceremony?
For a Marriage to be legal in California the Bride and Groom and
the officiant must be present at the same time and at the same
place. Proxy Marriages are NOT legal in the State of
California. A proxy marriage is
one where someone stands in for the other party; when either the
bride or the groom is not physically present for the wedding.
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