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Two types of marriage licenses are issued.

                          I. STANDARD MARRIAGE LICENSE

Both parties must be present to obtain a license.  Each must present evidence of age and if you were previously married, you must know the date your marriage was terminated.  The requirement for blood tests and a health certificate has been discontinued.  There is no waiting period after the license has been issued, but it is valid only for 90 days.  The fee varies by county but is typically from $50 to $75. 

                     II. CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE LICENSE

Couples must already be living together as husband and wife but not married.  Both must present evidence of being over the age of 18.  A marriage health certificate is not required.  The ceremony must take place in the county in which the license is issued.  The fee also varies by county, and is usually more expensive than the Standard Marriage License. 

Unless you have a compelling reason for your marriage to be unpublicized, the Standard License makes the most sense.  It is generally less expensive and no longer requires the blood test certificates.

                                                     TO OBTAIN:

Alameda County

MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATIONS
To apply for a marriage license both parties one male and one female, must be present and be 18 years of age or older. Picture identification is required. The license is valid for 90 days from date of issuance and only in the state of California.

For marriage licenses issued at the Alameda County Clerk's Office, 1106 Madison Street, Room 119, Oakland, CA 94607, the fee is $80, and includes one copy of the marriage certificate.

For marriages issued at our satellite offices the license fee is $67. This does not include a copy of the marriage certificate. A copy of the marriage certificate can be purchased for $13.00 in the Oakland Office after the person performing the ceremony has submitted the certificate for recording. Satellite offices are located at:

Superior Court
24405 Amador St., Rm 108
Hayward, CA 94544
Phone: (510) 670-5060

Superior Court
5672 Stoneridge Dr. 2nd floor
Pleasanton, CA 94544
Phone: (510) 551-6895

Fremont Municipal Court
39439 Paseo Padre Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538
Phone: (510) 795-2328

You may request a copy of a marriage certificate from the Oakland office in various ways:

Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and the necessary fee for each copy requested.

Contra Costa County

How do we obtain a marriage license?
A license to be married may be purchased at the Clerk's Office in downtown Martinez at 822 Main Street. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; however, to ensure proper processing, please arrive no later than 4:00 PM

Both parties must appear together before the Clerk. An application form will be provided for you to complete. Blood tests are no longer required. Applicants must be unmarried and at least 18 years of age. Both must have a government issued valid picture ID that include full legal name and date of birth. If either party has been granted a dissolution within the last 12 months, a filed copy of the final judgment will be required. The license is issued at the time of appearance and is valid for 90 days.
 

Fees:
Public License Fee: $64.00
Confidential Fee: $69.00
Certified Copy of License: $13.00 as of October 1, 2001

Payment: Cash only (exact amount preferred)

There is no waiting period in California between the issuance of the license and the ceremony. If you wish to be married in a civil ceremony in our office by our staff, an appointment is required and can be scheduled by calling the office at 925-646-2360.

If either party is a juvenile, or if a confidential license is needed, please call the office and speak to a staff member at 925-646-2360.

If the license has already been issued but has been altered, lost or destroyed, please call the office and speak to a staff member at 925-646-2360.
 

How long is a marriage license good for?

The marriage license is good for 90 days from the date issued. If not used within 90 days, a new license must be obtained.

What happens to the license after the ceremony?

After the ceremony, the license is completed by the person performing the ceremony and is returned to the Recorder's office. It is required that the license be returned within 30 days after the ceremony. Once the license is received and if it is completed correctly, the license is recorded. At that time, you may purchase a certified copy of the license either by internet, telephone, mail or in person.

Napa County:

Marriage License & Ceremony

To be married in California you must obtain a marriage license prior to the marriage ceremony. If either party is under the age of eighteen, a license cannot be issued without the consent of a parent and a court order. To obtain a regular license the bride and groom (both over 18 years of age) must appear in person and provide information including parents full names and places of birth. If there was a prior marriage, the way in which and date the last marriage ended is required. If the last marriage ended less than 90 days prior to the new license being requested, a copy of the document ending the marriage must be provided.

The fee for a regular license is $70.00. It is suggested, but not required, that a certified copy also be paid for at the time the license is issued for an additional $12.00. A regular license can be obtained from any of California's 58 county clerks and, once issued is good for 90 days. The ceremony can be performed anywhere in the State of California. We issue marriage licenses between 8 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday except for holidays. Our office can also perform the marriage ceremony if an appointment is made in advance. The cost of a ceremony is $40.00. We prefer that the couple provide at least one witness for the ceremony. We perform ceremonies between 8 AM and 11:00 AM and between 2 PM and 4:00 PM.

San Francisco County:

General Information and Requirements For a Marriage License

Where can I go to get married?

General information about marriage in the State of California

You do not need to be a California resident to marry in California.
Only an unmarried male and an unmarried female may marry in California.
Marriage by proxy is not allowed in California.

What is the difference between a Public and a Confidential marriage license?

San Mateo County:

Santa Clara County:

Applying for a Marriage License

To obtain a marriage license, both the prospective bride and groom must appear together at the Clerk-Recorder’s Office during Marriage License business hours. The couple must be an unmarried man and an unmarried woman, both 18 years of age or older. Each person must present valid picture identification. A blood test is NOT required. If either party has been granted a divorce within 90 days of applying for a new marriage license, a copy of the final divorce decree must be presented at the time of issue.

There are two types of marriage licenses: public and confidential. A public marriage license is a public record. Once issued, a public marriage license is effective immediately and valid for 90 days anywhere within the state of California. The fee for a public marriage license is $73.00.

To qualify for a confidential marriage license, the parties must already be living together. Note that with a confidential marriage license the marriage ceremony may be performed ONLY in Santa Clara County. A confidential marriage license is effective immediately and is valid for 90 days. The marriage record will be maintained as confidential and only the bride or groom may obtain copies of the marriage certificate, except by court order. The fee for a confidential marriage license is $78.00.

To expedite your visit to the Clerk-Recorder's Office, you may download a marriage license application from this site and complete it ahead of time.

View the requirements for a marriage license application 62.2KB

Download a public marriage license application 62.6 KB

Download a confidential marriage license application 65 KB

If the prospective bride or groom is under 18 years of age, you must go through the Family Court and comply with the requirements set by them. For more information, call (408) 299-3741.

Once you have your marriage license, the ceremony can be performed at the church of your choice, a wedding chapel, or you may schedule a civil ceremony to be performed by this office.

         HOW TO CHANGE YOUR NAME

                 Changing your Driver's License:

 1.     Call your local Department of Motor Vehicles.  Look in your White pages under: "California, State of", then under "Motor Vehicles Dept".  They are usually open an extra hour on Thursdays.  Calling for a reservation is recommended!

DMV Phone Number:                          

Address:                                           

My Appointment:                                 

 2.     There is a $12.00 fee for the change.  You will need to bring your marriage license and your current driver's license.  Your picture will be taken again.

               Changing your Social Security card:

 1.     Call the Social Security Department at 1 800 772-1213 for the office nearest you.  Local office:                                                            

 2.     You will need to have two pieces of identification.  (1) one with your old name (eg your prior Social Security Card) and (2) one with your new name (eg your marriage license).