MARRIAGE LICENSE

A marriage license can be issued on the same day from one of the following locations if requested during hours listed. The processing time usually takes approximately 1 hour; however, the time will vary based on client volume and location. By law the license cannot be issued by mail.

YOU CAN APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE ONLINE. IT'S EASY AND SAVES TIME. Once you complete the online application you can come to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk headquarters in Norwalk or go to any one of our branch offices to pick up your marriage license, pay the license fee and arrange for a civil marriage ceremony, if desired. See Marriage License information below for further details.

Catalina Branch Court	Avalon	(310) 510-0026	(Call for appointment)
9355 Burton Way, 3rd Floor, Room 300	Beverly Hills	(310) 288-1261	Hrs: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., M-F
1028 W. Avenue J2	Lancaster	(661) 945-6446	Hrs: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., M-F
11701 S. La Cienega Blvd, 6th Floor	LAX Courthouse	(310) 727-6142	Hrs: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., M-F
4716 East Cesar Chavez Avenue	Los Angeles	(323) 260-2991	Hrs: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., M-F
7807 S. Compton Avenue	Los Angeles	(323) 586-6192	Hrs. 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., M-F
12400 Imperial Highway	Norwalk	(562) 462-2137	Hrs: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., M-F
14340 West Sylvan Street	Van Nuys	(818) 376-3700	Hrs: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., M-F

Please return to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk main page, click on Branch Office Locations for information about available services at the branch office nearest you. You must present your application to the cashier no later than the hour listed in the above chart to obtain the license on the same day. For same day services we recommend that you be at the office by 3 p.m. Applications presented after 4 p.m. are placed on "will-call pick-up" on the next business day. Both parties must both appear together to pick up the marriage license.

The Name Equality Act

The Name Equality Act of 2007 (AB 102, Chapter 567, Statutes of 2007) gives specific rights to parties at the time they are applying for a California marriage license to choose and list on the marriage license the name that each party will go by after marriage.

Parties are not required to have the same name, nor are they required to change their name.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NAME EQUALITY ACT OF 2007

One or both parties to a marriage may elect to change the middle and/or last names by which that party wishes to be known after solemnization of the marriage. Each party applying for a marriage license may choose to include on their marriage license the new name in the spaces provided on the marriage license application without intent to defraud. Changing one’s name through this process can only be done at the time the marriage license is issued by the County Clerk or authorized Notary Public, as applicable.

Each party to the marriage may adopt any of the following last names:

• The current last name of the other spouse.
• The last name of either spouse given at birth.
• A name combining into a single last name all or a segment of the current last name or the last name of either spouse given at birth.
• A hyphenated combination of last names.

Each party to the marriage may adopt any of the following middle names:

• The current last name of either spouse.
• The last name of either spouse given at birth.
• A hyphenated combination of the current middle name and the current last name of the person or spouse.
• A hyphenated combination of the current middle name and the birth last name of the person or spouse.

NOTE: You may not change your first name using this process. IMPORTANT: You may not amend the marriage license after it has been issued to add or change the name you wish to be known as after you are married. The name you indicate on the marriage license application will be your name on the marriage license/certificate and cannot be changed by the County Clerk .

 You are not required to change your name, nor are parties required to have the same name.

If one or both parties do not wish to identify a new name on the marriage license, fields 30A thru 31C, as applicable, on the marriage license will be completed with two single dashes. You may not change the information on the marriage license after it has been issued by the County Clerk .

The marriage certificate is used by multiple local, state, federal and private agencies, each of which have different rules and/or regulations regarding what documents are acceptable to change your name on their records following marriage. It is recommended that you contact these agencies to verify their requirements prior to applying for your marriage license.

It is unlawful for our employees to answer questions of a legal nature. County Clerk staff cannot advise you how to complete the marriage license application as it relates to your entry of a new name or retention of your former name on the marriage license application. For your protection, if you have any questions regarding whether you should or should not list your new name on the marriage license application, and/or how the Name Equality Act of 2007 may affect you, please consult an attorney prior to applying for your marriage license.

How to Obtain a Marriage License

• To obtain a marriage license, which is valid for 90 days, by law both parties must appear together to complete the application and pay the required fee, which is $90 for a public license and $85 for a confidential license. Payments can be made in cash, check, credit/debit card or money order made payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk or RRCC. If paying by check or credit card, valid identification i.e. driver's license of the signer is required and must be presented at time of request.
• Both parties must be present together and produce "Proof of Identity" and age documents, such as a driver's license, passport or alien resident card. Photo and age verification is mandatory. All documents must be in English. Documents in any other language must be submitted with an English translation by a certified translator. Documents that have expired will not be accepted.
• A blood test and health certificate are not required to obtain a marriage license.
• There is no residence or citizenship status requirement.
• Parties must be unmarried. A previous marriage is valid until the final date of dissolution. Written proof of a divorce or the dissolution of a previous marriage is required, if the event occurred within the last two years or less. If the final dissolution was more than two years, written proof may not be required, but the date of the final dissolution must be provided at the same time the license is requested.
• Parties who have entered into a State Register Domestic Partnership must provide proof of termination, if the termination occurred within the last two years or less. If the termination was more than two years, written proof may not be required, but the date of the termination must be provided at the same time the license is requested.
• Parties marrying the same partner, who each entered into a State Register Domestic Partnership must present a copy of the Declaration of Domestic Partnership.
• Parties living together as spouses who meet the required conditions may request a confidential marriage license that must be used in Los Angeles County.
• Proxy marriages are not legal.

You may complete your marriage application online by clicking here

A person "Under 18" must provide a Notarized Parent or Guardian Consent Statement and an order from the Superior Court granting the minor permission to marry to obtain a marriage license.

Inmate Marriage:

There are specific procedures for inmate marriages. Please call (562) 462-2137 for additional information.

Solemnizing Qualifications:

Civil Ceremony:

Marriage ceremonies conducted by the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriage are performed at the following offices of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk:

We cannot guarantee that your marriage license will be issued on the same day as your appointment for the ceremony so you must obtain your license prior to the date your ceremony is to be performed. At least one witness must be present at the ceremony unless the couple is marrying using a confidential marriage license in which case no witness is required. Parties are responsible for bringing their own witnesses If you do not have a witness one can be provided for a fee of $18. Please contact the office nearest you for more information.

The fee for the civil ceremony is $25. Payment can be made in cash, check, credit/debit card or money order, made payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk or RRCC. If paying by check or credit card, valid identification (i.e., Driver's License) of the signer is required and must be presented at time of request.

Deputy Commissioner for a Day Program:

The Registrar/Recorder-County Clerk has a program that allows individuals to be deputized for a day to perform a wedding ceremony. All those requesting to be deputized should fill out the form provided on the web or send in a letter detailing:

• the full name of the person to be deputized
• the telephone number and address to contact that person
• the name of the parties that are to be married
• the date of the wedding
• the location of the wedding

The letter or application should be mailed in to the address below with a check or money order for $75, made payable to RR/CC, 2 months prior to the wedding. Applications received less than one month prior to the wedding if accepted, will be subject to a $13 expediting fee. Mail the letter or application to:

Deputy Commissioner For A Day
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
PO Box 389
Norwalk, CA 90651-0389

Once the letter and fee are received a confirmation letter of approval will be sent to the sender. The confirmation letter will request the individual who is to be deputized to contact our office and make an appointment to be sworn in. Individuals are deputized on Thursdays only, at 11:00 a.m. and only by appointment. No appointments will be issued without the fee being paid.

For emergency situations where an individual cannot be deputized on Thursday, special accomodations may be made, depending on staff availability. There will be an additional nominal fee changed for this service.

Individuals coming in to be deputized should expect to spend an hour here at the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Because our space is limited, we ask that you do not bring guests.

The $75 is non-refundable; however it can be applied to another deputy appointment within the same calendar year.

Should you have any additional questions please call (562) 462-2081.

APPLICATION FOR DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR A DAY 

Marriage Ceremony Volunteer Program:

Beginning in 1997, volunteers began performing civil wedding ceremonies at the department's headquarters in Norwalk where a wedding chapel is located. Volunteers now perform ceremonies in our branch offices, as well as the department's headquarters in Norwalk. The volunteers enjoy being a part of this major event in the lives of loving couples. This very successful, award-winning volunteer program provides citizens from all walks of life the opportunity to volunteer in public service while saving taxpayers money. Departmental staff, who performed marriage ceremonies before the volunteer program was in place, are now able to complete more specialized tasks. Currently we are in need of volunteers for most of our locations. If you are interested please write to:

Portia Sanders
Division Manager
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
PO Box 389
Norwalk, CA 90651-0389