Marriage License FAQs

💍 How Do We Get a California Marriage License?

In California, you must obtain a valid Marriage License before your Wedding Ceremony.

You can obtain your Marriage License through a California County Clerk's office. But if you qualify for a Confidential Marriage License, Great Officiants offers another convenient option.

Our authorized Marriage License agents can issue your license without requiring you to visit the County Clerk's office.

We can arrange to issue it at our Long Beach office or provide mobile Marriage License services at your home, hotel, office, wedding venue or another agreed-upon location.

Both of you must be present together when the license is issued, with the required identification and documentation.

🔐 What's the Difference Between a Public and Confidential Marriage License?

California offers two types of Marriage Licenses: Public and Confidential. Both are legally valid when properly issued, solemnized and registered.

Public Marriage License:

• Available through the County Clerk's office.
• Requires at least one witness at the ceremony.
• Allows up to two witnesses to sign the license.
• Becomes a public marriage record.
• Does not require the couple to be living together.

Confidential Marriage License:

• Requires both parties to be at least 18 years old.
• Requires the couple to already be living together as spouses when applying.
• Does not require witnesses at the ceremony or on the license.
• Is maintained as a confidential marriage record.
• Certified copies are generally available only to the married couple, except through a court order.

Great Officiants issues Confidential Marriage Licenses. If you prefer a Public Marriage License or do not qualify for a Confidential Marriage License, you can obtain a Public License through a County Clerk's office.

🪪 What Identification Do We Need for a Marriage License?

Both parties must present current, valid identification containing a photograph and date of birth.

Common examples include:

• Driver's license or state-issued identification card
• Valid United States or international passport
• Military identification
• Other qualifying government-issued identification

Your identification must not be expired, and the information on your application must match your identification.

If either of you had a previous marriage or registered domestic partnership that ended, additional documentation may be required. For Great Officiants' application process, proof of dissolution is required when applicable within the previous two years.

If your documents are in another language, please contact us before your appointment so we can explain any applicable translation requirements.

✍️ Do We Need Witnesses to Get Married in California?

If you have a Public Marriage License, California requires at least one witness at your ceremony. You may have up to two witnesses sign the official license.

If you have a Confidential Marriage License, no witnesses are required to attend or sign the Marriage License.

This can be especially convenient for couples planning a private elopement, a romantic ceremony for just the two of them, or a small wedding without guests.

Of course, you can still invite family and friends to celebrate with you even when you have a Confidential Marriage License.

🌎 Can We Get Married in California if We Live in Another State or Country?

You do not have to be a California resident or a United States citizen to obtain a California Marriage License.

Couples travel to Southern California from across the country and around the world to get married, and Great Officiants regularly helps visiting couples plan their ceremonies.

You will need acceptable identification, and both parties must meet the applicable marriage eligibility requirements.

For a Confidential Marriage License, you must also meet California's living-together requirement.

If you are traveling internationally, we recommend completing your application information and discussing your documents with us before you arrive.

🚗 Can Great Officiants Issue and Deliver Our Marriage License?

This is one of the services that makes Great Officiants different.

Our authorized Marriage License agents can issue California Confidential Marriage Licenses to eligible couples.

You can arrange an appointment at our Long Beach office, or we can coordinate mobile issuance at a convenient location, subject to scheduling, service area and applicable fees.

That could be your home, hotel, office, wedding location or another agreed-upon meeting place.

Our team will guide you through the application process, review the requirements and arrange the license issuance appointment.

📅 How Far in Advance Should We Get Our Marriage License?

California Marriage Licenses are valid for 90 days from the date they are issued.

Your Wedding Ceremony must take place before your Marriage License expires. If the license expires before your wedding, you will need to obtain a new one.

We generally recommend arranging your Marriage License approximately one month before your wedding whenever practical.

That gives you time to take care of the paperwork without leaving everything until the last minute.

For couples traveling to California, we can also discuss issuing your license closer to your ceremony date.

💒 Can We Get Our Marriage License on Our Wedding Day?

Great Officiants can coordinate Marriage License issuance on your wedding day for eligible couples when an authorized agent is available.

This can be especially helpful for elopements, destination couples and couples who want to simplify their wedding arrangements.

You will still need to complete the required application, provide acceptable identification and meet all eligibility requirements.

Because issuing a Marriage License is a separate authorized service, not every Wedding Officiant can personally issue one.

Our team can coordinate the appropriate Marriage License agent and Wedding Officiant for your plans.

📨 Who Files Our Marriage License After the Wedding?

After your Wedding Ceremony, your authorized Wedding Officiant completes and signs the Marriage License along with any required signatures.

California law requires the Officiant to return the completed Marriage License for registration within 10 days of the ceremony.

When Great Officiants performs your ceremony, we take care of our responsibility for completing and returning the license.

The County Recorder or County Clerk then processes the marriage record according to the type of license issued.

Once the license has been submitted, the county controls the official record and its processing.

📜 How Do We Get a Certified Copy of Our Marriage Certificate?

Your Marriage License and your certified Marriage Certificate are not the same thing.

The Marriage License authorizes your marriage. After your ceremony, the completed license is submitted and registered by the county.

A certified copy of your Marriage Certificate is the official document you may need for name changes, insurance, benefits and other legal or administrative purposes.

For a Confidential Marriage License, certified copies must be requested from the County Clerk in the county where the license was issued.

Great Officiants can explain the available ordering process, including how to request copies when arranging your license. Actual processing and delivery are handled by the county.

Processing times and fees may vary, so check with the issuing county for current information.

💖 Why Get Our Marriage License Through Great Officiants?

Planning a wedding involves enough details already. Getting your Marriage License shouldn't become another stressful project.

Great Officiants offers a convenient Marriage License service for couples who qualify for a California Confidential Marriage License.

• Authorized Marriage License agents
• Appointments at our Long Beach office
• Mobile Marriage License issuance by arrangement
• Assistance understanding application requirements
• Convenient options for visiting and destination couples
• Coordination with your Wedding Ceremony when requested

Whether you're planning an elaborate wedding, an intimate beach ceremony or a simple elopement, our goal is to make the legal process as convenient and straightforward as possible.