How to Get Married in Los Angeles County, California - 2011 Edition

General Marriage License Information

Let's get started! Your first step to getting married in Los Angeles County is to apply for, and obtain, your Marriage License. A Los Angeles County Marriage License must be used in the State of California. Blood tests are not required. You do not have to be a California resident or Citizen of the United Stated to marry in California. To obtain the official license you must present a valid government issued photo ID. Acceptable forms of identification include: a valid (not expired) California Driver's License, ID, passport, or alien resident card as proof of age. A certified birth certificate accompanied with a government picture ID may be accepted in lieu of the aforementioned. All documents must be in English, or accompanied with a certified English translation. If a civil ceremony will be performed you are required to bring at least one witness. As of July, 2010, the fee for a Marriage License is $90. This fee can be paid by cash, money order, or check with proper ID. All payments should be made payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (or abbreviated as RRCC).

You must be 18 years of age. Individuals under 18 will need the permission of a Parent or Guardian, as well as authorization from a California Superior Court judge. The license can only be issued to an unmarried First Person and an unmarried Second Person. For applicants that have been married in the previous 2 years, a copy or the divorce or annulment papers must be presented. If you are divorced, you will need to know the exact date your divorce was finalized. If it was within the last 90 days, bring your divorce decree with you. For widows of less than 2 years, a copy of the spouse's death certificate is required.

Same Sex Marriages and A Statement of Domestic Partnership

California state law currently does not allow same-sex marriages but does provide for registering a domestic partnership. The fee for filing a Statement of Domestic Partnership for same-sex couples is $33. Simply click the link below, complete it and mail it in with the filing fee. If you prefer to deliver the form in person, there is an additional $15 filing fee. Call the closest RRCC office nearest you for more information.

Download the Declaration of Domestic Partnership Form NP/SF DP-1 here:

http://www.sos.ca.gov/dpregistry/forms/sf-dp1.pdf

Public License Vs. Confidential License

With a Public Marriage License, you can get married anywhere in the State of California. You only need one witness, and the record of your marriage will be made available to the public. Most couples opt for a Public Marriage License.

Confidential Marriage Licenses are not accessible to the public. Both parties must be living together as a married couple, and must be getting married in the county where the Marriage License was obtained. There are no witnesses required, and the record is kept confidential, out of public access. The ceremony must be performed in Los Angeles County.

The Name Equality Act
(effective January 1, 2009)

Be sure to discuss how your name will appear on your Marriage License prior to getting married--Once the application is issued, the marriage license can not be changed.

If desired, either or both parties may choose to have their new married name listed on the marriage application and license prior to the ceremony. This is completely optional. Both parties can choose and list on the marriage license the last name they will use after marriage. First names cannot be changed on the marriage license or application. Either applicant, or both, may change their names to the current last name of the other spouse, last name of either spouse given at birth, a name that is a combination of all or a segment of either spouses current last name, or a hyphenated version of both spouses last names.

To clarify what is needed prior to applying for a marriage license, you can contact a clerk's office from the list below.

Apply for a Marriage License In Person

A Marriage License is valid for 90 days from the date of official issuance by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RRCC). Both parties are required to appear in person to obtain the official license to marry. You can either complete the application online, or simply come in person. Keep in mind the RRCC offices tend to get crowded, and the earlier you can arrive, the better. The wait can be as much as four hours, so it is recommended that you arrive early to ensure receipt of your marriage license that day. Applicants arriving after 3:30 may be required to return together the following day to pick up their marriage license Call the RRCC closest to you for appointment information.

Los Angeles County Clerk's Offices

Avalon
Catalina Island Branch Court
(310) 510-0026

Beverly Hills
9355 Burton Way, 1st Floor
(310) 288-1261

Lancaster
1040 W. Avenue J
(661) 945-6446

East L.A.
4716 E Cesar Chavez Avenue
(323) 260-2991

Compton
7807 S. Compton Ave, # 215
(323) 586-6192

Norwalk
12400 Imperial Highway
(562) 462-2137

Van Nuys
14340 West Sylvan Street
(818) 374-7176

Apply for Your Marriage License Online

https://lavote.net/SECURED/MARRIAGE/mrglicense.asp

Your Online Application will be kept on file for 15 days from the date submitted to the RRCC. This is an optional service. Both parties are still required to appear in person in order to obtain the official license to marry.

Wedding Ceremony Information

The ceremony itself is usually the focal point of getting married. You can choose a venue, or keep it simple and wed with a civil ceremony. If you chose to have a civil ceremony, be prepared to pay a $25.00 fee. The RRCC locations listed above can provide you with more information.

You can also be married by your choice of one of the following : 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, or a Deputy Commissioner For-a-Day. The Deputy Commissioner For-a-Day program costs $75.00, and gives someone the authorization to perform a wedding ceremony. For more information about this program, call (562) 462-2081.

Best wishes to you!

This information was current as of Jan 24, 2011. Please check with your local RRCC office to ensure all procedures still apply as written.