How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in California?

It will take 6-12 weeks to receive your requested certified copies of your marriage license, but much longer if you do not file your request for certified copies at the time of your marriage.

How do I find my marriage certificate in California?

How do I find marriage records in California? In addition to conducting searches online, marriage records can be obtained by contacting the Vital Records department of the California Department of Public Health. It maintains public records of marriages that occurred between July 1905 to 2000 and from 2008 till present.

What is a marriage certificate in California?

A PUBLIC marriage license is a public record. The license allows you to have the ceremony anywhere within the State of California and witnesses are not required during the ceremony. The marriage record is only made available to the parties to the marriage. Both types of marriage licenses are legally valid.

Can I get my marriage certificate the same day in California?

There is no paperwork hassle – we provide a marriage license, file it with the Los Angeles County Recorder’s office and order a marriage certificate for you. Whether you live in California or are just visiting from another state or country, we will be able to get you married on the same day.

Do you need birth certificate to get married in California?

Proof of Identity and Age. You must be at least 18 years old to get married in California. Each person will need valid photo identification containing a photo, date of birth, full legal name, and dates of issue and expiration. Some counties also require a birth certificate.

Do I need a witness to get a marriage license in California?

Effective 1/01/15 – The couple may be married in any county in California. No witnesses are required to be at the ceremony, AND no witnesses sign on the marriage license. The marriage license is a confidential record and is registered at the County Clerk’s Office in the county where it was purchased.

Are marriage records public in California?

Are California marriage records public? California is unique in that it offers both confidential and public marriage licenses. Roughly one in five marriages in the state was confidential in 2012 and in 1982 it was one in three. The state has offered confidential marriages since 1878.

Where can I find California marriage records for free?

Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and some FamilySearch Centers. Free; index of marriage records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and some FamilySearch Centers.

Are witnesses required for marriage in California?

Can I get married without a marriage license in California?

In order to get legally married in the state of California, you need to obtain a marriage license before your marriage ceremony. However, before you apply, the first step is knowing that there are two different options: a public marriage license and a confidential marriage license.

What is needed to get married in California?

Key requirements for obtaining a marriage license: Show a valid California I.D., driver’s license, passport, certified birth certificate, baptismal record and photo I.D., or alien resident card proving that you are over 18 years of age. Both of you must be unmarried.

How much does a marriage certificate cost in California?

California marriage license fee is $35 – $105. Legal age to marry is 18. No waiting period, blood test or residency requirements.

How do you get a copy of your marriage license in California?

In California, you must request a copy of your marriage license because it is not automatically sent to you. Whether you are newly married or need a copy later in life, contact the County Clerk or County Recorder’s Office in the county in which the marriage occurred to get a certified copy of a marriage license.

What is California confidential marriage?

In some jurisdictions, a marriage between a man and a woman where only the two parties and the officiant are present at the ceremony, is known as confidential marriage. California is an example of such a state. Confidential marriages are recorded in nonpublic records. Although rarely performed, they are generally legal.

What is a duplicate marriage license?

Duplicate Marriage License. A duplicate marriage license is issued when the original license has been lost, misplaced or damaged, and was not recorded with the Clerk. Both parties on the marriage license must come in together in person. Both parties must have a valid government issued photo ID.

What is a public marriage certificate?

A marriage certificate (also known as marriage record or certified certificate of marriage) is an official recorded document issued by a governmental authority that proves that the couple listed on the marriage certificate have a legal marriage. In most areas, a marriage record is part of the public record.