How to Get a Marriage License in California: Requirements and Steps

To get a marriage license in California, both partners must appear together in person at any county clerk’s office, present valid government-issued photo identification, and pay the required fee. California does not require a blood test or a waiting period, and most counties issue the license the same day. This guide covers the exact requirements, documents, fees, and steps for couples applying anywhere in the state, including Los Angeles County, which serves Glendale, Burbank, and Pasadena.

What Are the Requirements for a Marriage License in California?

To qualify for a marriage license in California, both parties must be at least 18 years old, or have written parental consent and a court order if under 18. Both applicants must be unmarried to anyone else and must appear together in person at the clerk’s office. California does not require blood tests, a waiting period, or state residency, so out-of-state and international couples qualify as well.

Beyond age and presence, county clerks generally require the following:

• In-person appearance: Both applicants must appear together at the county clerk’s office. Neither applicant can apply alone or through a proxy, except in limited cases involving deployed members of the armed forces.
• Photo identification: Each applicant must present a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID.
• Marital status: Each applicant must confirm on the application, under penalty of perjury, that they are not currently married to or in a registered domestic partnership with someone else.
• Parents’ information: Each applicant must provide both parents’ full birth names and the state or country where each parent was born.
• Prior marriage or partnership details: If either applicant was previously married or in a registered domestic partnership, they must provide the exact date it ended, whether by divorce, dissolution, annulment, or death. Some counties also require a certified copy of the divorce judgment, dissolution decree, or death certificate if it ended within the last 90 days.

What Documents Do You Need to Bring?

Bring one valid photo ID per applicant, since counties will not accept a marriage license application without it. If you were divorced, had a domestic partnership dissolved, or were widowed recently, bring the certified court or vital records paperwork showing the date. Some county clerks also recommend a certified copy of your birth certificate, particularly if your photo ID does not clearly show your place of birth. You will also need to know your parents’ full legal names and birthplaces from memory, since most counties do not require documentation for this but do require the information on the application itself.

5 Steps to Get Your Marriage License in California

1. Confirm your eligibility and gather your documents. Check that both of you meet the age and marital status requirements above and have valid photo ID ready.
2. Decide between a public and a confidential marriage license, then choose a county clerk’s office. Any county clerk in California can issue your license, and it is valid for a ceremony anywhere in the state, regardless of which county you apply in. A confidential license is available only if both of you are at least 18 and already living together.
3. Check the office’s appointment policy. Some counties, including Los Angeles, require couples to book a time slot online before showing up, while others accept walk-ins during business hours.
4. Apply together in person and pay the license fee. Both applicants must sign the application in front of clerk staff, and the license is typically issued the same day.
5. Marry within 90 days and return the signed license for recording. After your ceremony, your officiant and witness (public licenses only) sign the license. Your officiant must then return it to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, or the recorder in the county where it was issued, within 10 days of the ceremony. Once recorded, it becomes your official marriage certificate.

Public vs. Confidential Marriage License in California: Which Do You Need?

California offers two license types, and the right one depends on your living situation and privacy preferences. A public marriage license requires at least one witness at the ceremony and becomes part of the public record, meaning anyone can request a copy from the county. A confidential marriage license does not require any witnesses at the ceremony. The record is not public, so only the spouses, or someone with a court order, can obtain a certified copy later.

Confidential licenses are only available to couples who are already living together as spouses at the time of application, so this option will not fit everyone. If you are unsure which license fits your situation, professional help preparing a marriage license application can walk you through the eligibility rules and paperwork for either option before your appointment.

How Much Does a Marriage License Cost in California?

Marriage license fees are set by each county rather than the state, so the cost varies depending on where you apply. In Los Angeles County, the current fee is $91 for a public license and $85 for a confidential license, according to the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

Neighboring counties charge different amounts. Orange County currently charges $61 for a public license and $66 for a confidential one, while other counties fall closer to the statewide average of around $100 for a public license and $107 for a confidential license.

Couples planning ahead should note that in late 2025, the LA County Board of Supervisors considered raising the public license fee from $91 to $176 and the confidential license fee from $85 to $220, but put the increase on hold for further review. Because fees can change, confirm the current amount with your county clerk’s office before your appointment.

Where to Apply for a Marriage License in Los Angeles County

Glendale does not have its own county clerk branch, so residents of Glendale, Burbank, and Pasadena can apply at one of these Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder County Clerk offices:

• Beverly Hills: 9355 Burton Way, 3rd Floor, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
• Van Nuys: 14340 W. Sylvan St., Van Nuys, CA 91401
• East Los Angeles: 4716 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90022
• Norwalk (Headquarters): 12400 Imperial Hwy., Norwalk, CA 90650

Since a marriage license issued anywhere in California is valid statewide, you are not restricted to a specific branch based on where you live or plan to marry. Call ahead or check the county’s website for current appointment requirements, since some offices require booking in advance while others still accept walk-ins.

What Happens After You Get Your Marriage License?

Once issued, your marriage license is valid for 90 days. You must hold your ceremony within that window, or you will need to apply for a new license and pay the fee again. After the ceremony, your officiant and witness (public licenses only) sign the license, and your officiant must return it to the county recorder’s office where it was issued within 10 days of the ceremony. Once recorded, the license becomes your official marriage certificate. You can then order certified copies to use for name changes, benefit updates, and other official purposes.

Marriage is also a natural time to revisit your estate planning documents. Many newly married couples choose to create or update a will after marriage to name their new spouse as a beneficiary, and some also look into how a revocable living trust works to decide whether it fits their financial situation.