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Marriage License Or Confidential Marriage License

Most people don’t give much thought to the laws in effect which govern marriages within the state of California. Here is a summary of these laws to help ensure that everything in your upcoming marriage is in order.

Marriage License

• Can get married in any county within California
• License is filed by county clerk and becomes public record.
• No blood test required
• 1 or 2 witnesses required to sign at time of wedding
• Valid for 90 days from date issued
• May obtain certified copy after wedding (Additional fee required)
• Can be obtained from county clerk’s office

Confidential Marriage License

• Must get married in county where license is issued
• License is filed by county clerk, but does not become public record
• No blood test required
• No witnesses required to sign, but deputy or notary journal acts as witness
• Valid for 90 days from date issued
• May obtain certified copy after wedding (Additional fee required)
• Can be obtained from county clerk’s office OR authorized notary publics
• Couple must be living together as man & wife

To apply for and obtain a Marriage License in the greater Los Angeles area, both applicants must appear together at the Office of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk to complete an application and submit it to the cashier no later than 3p.m. The processing time to complete the license is up to 2 hours. For same day service, we recommend that you be at the office by 2 p.m. A valid California I.D., drivers license, passport or alien resident card must be presented as proof of age. All persons previously married must present a copy of divorce/annulment papers if the event occured within two years or less. The fees for both Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses is now $70.

Locations Where Marriage License Can Be Obtained:

LAX Airport
Registrar Recorder
County Clerk’s Office
11701 S. La Cienega Bl., 6th Flr.
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm M-F
(310) 727-6142

Norwalk
12400 Imperial Hwy.
Room 1002
Hours: 8am-5pm
(562) 462-2137

Beverly Hills
9355 Burton Way, 1st Flr.
Hours: Tues-Thurs, 8:30am-4pm
(310) 288-1261

Van Nuys
14340 West Sylvan St.
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm
(818) 374-7176

Los Angeles
4716 E. Cesar Chavez Ave.
(formerly Brooklyn Ave.)
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm
(213) 260-2991

Florence Firestone
7807 S. Compton Ave.,
Room 215
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm
(323) 586-6192

Orange County
211 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Rm. 201, Santa Ana
Hours: 8am-4:30pm
(714) 834-2710
Fees and requirements differ slightly. Please call for details.

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