Marriage license · California
How to Get a Marriage License in California
Everything California couples need — fee, waiting period, ID requirements, where to apply, how long the license stays valid, and what happens after the wedding.
At a glance
| License fee | $35–$120 (varies by county) |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | None |
| License valid for | 90 days |
| Minimum age | 18 (under 18 requires court order) |
| ID required | Government photo ID |
| Blood test | No |
| Witnesses | 1 (for public license); 0 for confidential license |
| Apply online | Yes (varies by county) |
| Where to apply | Any County Clerk |
Step-by-step
- Decide where to apply. In California, you apply at any county clerk.
- Gather your documents. Bring government photo id for both partners.
- Apply online or in person. Most California offices charge $35–$120 (varies by county) per license.
- Wait the required none. There's no waiting period — you can use the license the same day.
- Use the license within 90 days. After it expires you'll need to apply (and pay) again.
- Have it signed. 1 (for public license); 0 for confidential license witness(es) must sign at the ceremony.
- Return the signed license. Your officiant files it with the issuing office; you'll receive a certified marriage certificate within a few weeks.
When should you apply in California?
The two dates that matter are the issue date and the expiration. A California license is good for 90 days. Working backwards from your wedding day:
| Timing | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm the office hours and appointment rules for any county clerk. Check whether your officiant must be registered in California. |
| Earliest you can apply | 90 days before the ceremony (any earlier and it expires). |
| Sweet spot | 2–4 weeks before the wedding — no wait required, but leaves time to fix a name or document error. |
| Wedding week | Possible in California, but any document problem becomes an emergency. |
| After the ceremony | Officiant files the license; order 2–3 certified copies for name changes. |
What it actually costs to get legally married in California
The license is only part of the legal cost. Here's the realistic total for a California couple doing the paperwork properly:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $35–$120 (varies by county) |
| Certified copies of the certificate (order 2–3) | $10–$25 each |
| Courthouse or civil ceremony fee | $25–$100 |
| Independent officiant (if you hire one) | $200–$800 |
| Name change filing (Social Security is free; state ID/passport are not) | $0–$190 |
Everything else — venue, catering, photography — sits outside the legal paperwork. See average wedding costs by city for what the celebration itself runs.
After the wedding: certificates and name changes in California
- Confirm the license was filed. Call the issuing office 2–3 weeks after the wedding if you haven't received anything.
- Order certified copies. Photocopies aren't accepted for name changes — you need certified copies with the raised seal or official stamp. Two or three is the practical number.
- Social Security first. File Form SS-5 with a certified certificate. It's free, and every other agency checks against it.
- California driver's license or state ID next. Most states require you to update within 30 days of the Social Security change.
- Passport, banks, employer, insurance, voter registration. Passport renewal is free within one year of issuance, otherwise $130–$190.
Mistakes California couples make
- Applying too early. A California license expires after 90 days. Apply outside that window and you pay twice.
- Names that don't match. The name on your license must match your ID exactly — nicknames and missing middle names cause reissues.
- An unregistered officiant. Confirm your officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in California before booking.
- Ordering only one certified copy. Agencies keep them; you'll be reordering for weeks.
Important notes for California
Two license types: public (witnesses required) and confidential (no witnesses, both must be living together).
Wedding costs in California
Once the paperwork is handled, here's what weddings actually cost in California metros:
- Average wedding cost in San Francisco — $58,000 average, $230 per guest
- Average wedding cost in Los Angeles — $52,000 average, $210 per guest
- Average wedding cost in San Diego — $44,000 average, $185 per guest
Common questions specific to California
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a marriage license cost in California?
- In California the marriage license fee is $35–$120 (varies by county). Budget another $10–$25 per certified copy of the marriage certificate afterwards.
- Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in California?
- No — California has no waiting period. The license can be used the same day it's issued.
- How long is a California marriage license valid?
- A California marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.
- Can you apply for a marriage license online in California?
- Yes — many California counties accept online applications, though final issuance typically requires an in-person visit.
- Do you need witnesses to get married in California?
- Yes — California requires 1 (for public license); 0 for confidential license witness(es) to sign the marriage license at the ceremony.
- Do you need a blood test to get married in California?
- No — California does not require a blood test. No US state has required one since 2019.
- Can out-of-state couples get married in California?
- Yes. California issues marriage licenses to non-residents, and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply at any county clerk and allow for the same-day issuance.
- What's the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
- The license is the permission you get before the wedding — in California it costs $35–$120 (varies by county) and is valid for 90 days. The certificate is the proof issued after the signed license is filed, and it's what you use for name changes.
- How many certified copies of the marriage certificate should you order in California?
- Two or three. Social Security, the California DMV, and passport services each want to see a certified copy, and some agencies keep them.
Marriage license guides for other states