It’s easy to obtain a California Marriage License in any County Clerk’s office in California.

Photography By Kirk Moore To obtain a California marriage license, the bride and groom must both go to the County Clerk’s office and request one. Most people file for a public license, so that is the information we are providing. The information below is specifically for the State of California.

• Blood tests are no longer required.
• Both parties must be at least 18 years old, or otherwise have a guardian’s consent.
• Both parties must have a valid photo I. D. such as a driver’s license, military I. D. or passport.
• It is necessary to bring a certified copy of your birth certificate if your full name doesn’t appear on your identification.
• If you have been married before, you must know the exact date your previous marriage ended. If your last marriage ended within the past 90 days, you must provide a certified copy of the divorce decree.
• You must have your ceremony within 90 days of issuance of a California marriage license.
• You do not have to be a resident of California to get a marriage license here.
• You’ll receive the marriage license on the spot. It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• A confidential license is another option for a license, but the fee for a confidential license is often higher than for a regular license.
• You will not receive anything from the County Clerk’s office automatically after your certificate is mailed in by the officiant. You must request and pay for a Certified Copy from the County Clerk’s office you received your license.

Please call the County Clerk’s office before you travel to their office. Office addresses sometimes change, please be certain about the most current addresses. San Francisco is the only one you need to make an appointment for, the others you come during their office hours and in most cases apply online. San Mateo County has an online application process you can choose. Regardless, you still both have to appear in person and sign the legal document you will be bringing to the ceremony for one witness and the officiant to sign. Information on obtaining a Certified Copy of your license after your ceremony. It usually takes from 4-6 weeks after your ceremony to obtain a Certified Copy.