Q. What type of Marriage license do you issue?
A. We issue Los Angeles County Confidential Marriage Licenses.
Q. What is the difference
between a Public and a Confidential Marriage License?
A. A Public license is a matter of public record and can be viewed by anyone.
It requires one or two witnesses to sign the license and a qualified Officiant to perform the ceremony. With a Public license you
can get married in any County in the State. It is issued only by the County.
A Confidential license is recorded by the County but not made accessible to public view. It only requires the Couple’s signature and the Officiants signature. No Witness required. Only the Bride or Groom can obtain a copy or by court order. With a Confidential license you can only get married in the County in which the license was issued. It can be issued by the County or by someone like me, authorized by the county to issue them.
Q. Who
can perform the ceremony?
A. 1) A Priest, Minister or Rabbi of any religious denomination who is 18 years of age or older; 2)
an active or retired Judge, Commissioner, or Assistant Commissioner of a court or Justice Court in this State; or 3) by a Deputy
Commissioner of Civil Marriages.
We are Ordained Non-Denominational Ministers and can perform your wedding. Visit www.SoCalOfficiant.com wedding
Site for more details about ceremonies.
Q. Do we need blood tests?
A. No. They are not required in California
Q. If we live out
of state or another country can I get married in
A. YES!! You do not need to be a
Q.
Is there a waiting period to get your license?
A. No, you will receive your license immediately.
Q. What if I want to get
married in a county other than Los Angeles?
A. You can get a public license from any County office or I can issue you the license
at my office and perform a simple ceremony and you can have your "Big Ceremony" anywhere you like.
Q. What is the minimum age a man
or woman may marry?
A. You must be 18 years old or older to be issued a Confidential Marriage License.
A. The License is valid for 90 days from when the license was issued to me by the County. You must have your wedding ceremony
prior to that date. I will advise you of the expiration date on your license.
Q. Can I apply online?
A. You can apply on line on this
site.
A valid government-issued, picture identification is required to verify name, age, and identity; and any other document that
may be applicable for the issuance of a marriage license (e.g. divorce decree, death certificate, adoption papers, superior court
name change, etc.). Before applying call and explain your specific situation in detail.
If you do not bring the appropriate documentation,
you will not be issued a marriage license.
The names on your application MUST match your ID exactly or we may not be able to issue your license.
Q. How do I get copies of the license?
A. There will be a application for marriage record form along with the license
(the pink sheet). The copies are $13 each and I recommend getting at least 2 copies. Once the license is recorded you will be
sent the copies you requested. Make the check payable to RRCC (registrar recorder county clerk).
Q. How long does it take to get our
copies?
A.
Q. Who sends the license in after it is signed?
A. Traditionally it is the Officiants job to return the
license to the County.
Q. What if I was divorced or widowed in the past what do I need to bring?
A. If either party has been married
before, you must present a copy of the divorce decree or death certificate only if the dissolution occurred LESS than two years
ago. If the previous marriage was dissolved more than that, you must know the approximate date of dissolution.
Q. Do both of
us have to be there?
A. Yes you both MUST appear in person. Proxy Marriages or Marriage over the phone or internet are NOT LEGAL in
California. Do not be fooled by companies that offer this option.
As with any legal decision please consult an attorney to understand
all the implications that marriage presents