Your marriage license is effective immediately and valid for 90 days anywhere within the state of California.
Once you have your marriage license the ceremony can be performed at the location of your choice by any minister, clergyman or wedding officiant, or by the county recorder.
After the ceremony, I would be happy to hand-deliver your marriage license to the processing office of the County Clerk's office on the morning of the first business day following your ceremony, where it will be filed. It is the responsibility of your officiant to file the license, but you may drop it off yourself if you prefer.
After your wedding, certified copies of your license (which becomes your Marriage Certificate) may be purchased one week to 14 days after the license (signed by ONE witness and your officiant) is returned to the county recorder's office. NOTE: California requires one witness be present at the ceremony, although there are two witness signature lines on the license.
If you need to speak with a Marriage Section staff member, call (619) 531-6248. Se habla Español.
CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE LICENSE
The cost for a Confidential Marriage License is $55. Blood test not required. Click here for a CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION.
To obtain a Confidential Marriage License, both the prospective Bride and Groom must appear together at one of San Diego County Clerk office locations. NOTE: The Confidential Marriage License DOES NOT require the signature of a witness.
Each person must present one form of valid photo identification with proof of age. To expedite the identification process, it is recommended that both the Bride and Groom bring a certified copy of their birth certificate.
If either party has been granted a divorce within 90 days, a decree must be presented at the time of issue.
In order to issue a Confidential Marriage License:
- Both parties must swear in writing that they have already been living together.
- The marriage ceremony may be performed ONLY in San Diego County.
- The marriage record will be maintained as Confidential and ONLY the Bride or Groom may obtain copies of the marriage certificate, EXCEPT by order of the Superior Court.
After the ceremony, I would be happy to take your marriage license to the County Clerk's office on the morning of the first business day following your ceremony for filing. It is the responsibility of your officiant to file the license, but you may drop it off yourself if you prefer. After your wedding, certified copies of your license (which becomes your Marriage Certificate) may be purchased one week to 14 days after the license (signed by your officiant) is returned to the county recorder's office.
PLEASE NOTE: The office of the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk issues Regular marriage licenses or Confidential licenses when the confidentiality of the marriage date is important. Couples who choose the Confidential License should be aware that when certified copies of the Confidential Marriage License are requested, the copies can ONLY be issued to the Bride or Groom with proper identification.
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