Your Marriage License Checklist
What Do You Need to Get a Marriage License in California?
You have found your person. Now let’s get your paperwork ready! Great Officiants helps you prepare for your marriage license appointment so you can spend less time wondering what to bring and more time looking forward to saying “I do.”
Start with the checklist below, gather your identification, and let us know if you have a previous marriage, domestic partnership, or documents that need translation.
This guide focuses on preparing for our marriage license services and Los Angeles County requirements. If you apply through another county, confirm its document requirements before your appointment.
Your Appointment Checklist
- Come together. Both applicants must attend the appointment at the same time.
- Bring identification. Each person should bring an original, current photo ID showing their date of birth.
- Check the expiration date. For our appointments, bring the actual document, not a photocopy or phone image. Expired identification is not accepted.
- Prepare any previous-marriage documents. Tell us about a divorce, annulment, death of a spouse, or domestic partnership before your appointment.
- Arrange translations early. Let us know if any documents are not in English.
No blood test is required. You also do not need California residency or U.S. citizenship to apply.
Age and Confidential License Eligibility
Our confidential marriage license service is for couples who are 18 or older, are living together as spouses, and meet the applicable marriage eligibility requirements. Both applicants must sign an affidavit confirming that they are living together as spouses.
If either applicant is under 18, contact the County Clerk about the separate court approval process for a public marriage license. Minors cannot obtain a confidential marriage license.
Not living together? Ask us about obtaining a public marriage license through a County Clerk.
Visiting California to Get Married?
Welcome! Couples visit California from across the country and around the World to celebrate their wedding.
You do not have to live in California or the United States. You still need to meet the marriage eligibility requirements and present acceptable identification.
Traveling with foreign documents? Contact us before your trip so we can help you prepare for your appointment.
What Identification Should You Bring?
A current driver’s license or passport is a straightforward starting point. Check that your identification is readable and shows your photograph and date of birth.
Using Another Type of Identification?
Contact us before your appointment if you plan to use a state identification card, U.S. passport card, military ID, permanent resident card, naturalization document, matrícula consular, or another consular identification card.
We will confirm whether your particular document is acceptable and whether supporting documents, such as a birth certificate or translation, are needed. Do not assume every document or consular card is accepted simply because it includes a photo.
Check your passport before traveling. A valid visa does not make an expired passport acceptable for this appointment.
Previously Married or in a Domestic Partnership?
A previous marriage must be legally ended before you marry someone else. For a divorce or dissolution within the past two years, Los Angeles County requires a certified copy of the final document. Bring the final date even for older cases.
Recent domestic partnership terminations also require certified records. If you are marrying your current registered domestic partner, bring your Declaration of Domestic Partnership.
Have an annulment, a deceased former spouse, or paperwork you are unsure about? Contact us beforehand so we can confirm what to bring.
Documents in Another Language
Los Angeles County requires English translations prepared by a certified translator and notarized when documents are in another language.
Before arranging translation, ask us which documents need it. This is especially helpful for foreign birth certificates and consular identification.
Need Help Arranging a Birth Certificate Translation?
We can help arrange a birth certificate translation through the translation service we use.
- Translation fee: $100, paid in advance.
- Typical turnaround: About one week.
- Rush requests: Additional charges apply. Contact us to confirm availability and timing.
- Completion: We will notify you when your translation is ready.
Please allow time for document review and translation before your planned license appointment.
Let’s Make Your Marriage License Appointment Easy
Start by completing our application. Our team can then help you confirm the documents and appointment arrangements for your situation.
You can meet with us at our Long Beach office or ask about mobile marriage license services.
Want to compare your options and fees? See how to obtain your marriage license .
For official requirements, visit Los Angeles County marriage license eligibility and the California Department of Public Health license information .
Your “I Do” Starts Here
Gather your documents, bring your favorite person, and let Great Officiants help you take the next step toward your California wedding.