In most circumstances you may apply for a marriage license at any California county clerk office and it can be used anywhere in California. The marrage license offices are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the procedures you must follow to obtain your license.

Cost of License
What is the cost of a marriage license?
The marriage license fee is $50.00 to $80.00 dollars. Accepted forms of payment are cash.

Residency Requirements
What are the residency requirements for California?
None. You do not have to be a previous or current resident of California to obtain a marriage license that is valid statewide.

Waiting Period
Is there a waiting period from the application date to the date the license is issued? No, you will receive your license immediately.

Is there a waiting period from the date the license is issued to the date I am allowed to marry?
No, you can marry immediately after receiving your license.

Age Requirement
What is the minimum age a man or woman may marry? You must be 18 years old or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.

What if one or both of us is younger than 18?
If either partner is under 18, one parent or legal guardian must be present. If a parent can not be present, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, proper evidence must be presented for verification. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. The couple must schedule an appointment with a counselor and then appear before a superior court judge.

Blood Tests and Physical Exams
Are blood tests and physical exams required? No blood test or physical exam is required.

License Expires
How long does a marriage license remain valid once it's been issued? Your license will expire 90 days from the date it is issued.

Divorced and Widowed Applicants
What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die? If previously married, the date of divorce or date of spouse's death must be provided. If the divorce or spouse's death had taken place within the last 90 days, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. A copy of your divorce records or spouse's death certificate can be ordered online.

How Do I Legally Change My Name?
What's the process of legally changing my last name after marriage? Following your wedding ceremony, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This certificate will serve as evidence of your marriage, which you'll need when you begin the process of notifying several goverment agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc).

Various Other Questions

Are proxy marriages legal?
Yes, marriage by proxy is allowed. Bill SB 7 was sponsored by Republican Sen. Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga and Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, D-San Francisco and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 10, 2004.

Are common law marriages legal?
No, common-law marriages are not allowed.

Are cousin marriages legal?
Yes, cousin marriages are allowed.

Are same sex marriages legal?
No, same-sex marriages are not allowed.

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