Marriage Checklist: What you need to know to make the marriage legal in California.
In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the
document in your state that allows you to get married. A marriage license is a permit
to get married. You are not married until a marriage ceremony is performed. One
witness is required.
You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your
wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax
information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your
marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get
married within a few months.
When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age,
will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a
nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so
plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know
what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to
write that name on the application.
Just because you may have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not
mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious
clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your
marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper
government agency for validation.
Valid: License is valid for 90 days. The license can only be used within the State of
California.
Officiants: Any priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination, of the age of 18
years or over may perform marriages. Ministers must complete the marriage license
and return it to the county clerk within 4 days after the marriage.
Solemnization Authority : Marriage may be solemnized by any of the following who is
of the age of 18 years or older:
1. A Priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination.
2. A judge or retired judge, commissioner of civil marriages or retired commissioner of civil marriages,
commissioner or retired commissioner, or assistant commissioner of a court of record in this state.
3. A judge or magistrate who has resigned from office.
4. Any of the following judges or magistrates of the United States:
1. A justice or retired justice of the United States Supreme Court.
2. A judge or retired judge of a court of appeals, a district court, or a court created by an act of
Congress the Judges of which are entitled to hold office during good behavior.
3. A judge or retired judge of a bankruptcy court or a tax court.
4. A United States magistrate or retired magistrate.
5. A legislator or constitutional officer of this state or a member of Congress who represents a
district within this state, while that person holds office.
Each county offers civil ceremonies performed by a judge or commissioner. The
cost is approximately $40.00. For additional information call your County Clerk's office.
Source:
http://usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/california
