Guides
County-by-county wedding basics
Marriage license rules can change from one county or state to the next. We keep the essentials in one place so you can plan the paperwork and the ceremony with less guesswork.
Courthouse wedding
Marriage License
Marriage licenses
Marriage license waiting periods and expiration dates
Marriage license waiting periods and expiration dates explained: how long licenses last, when you can marry, and how to avoid common timing mistakes.
Read the guide →Deputy for a day: letting a friend officiate your civil wedding
Can a friend legally officiate your civil wedding? Learn where one-day appointments exist, how they work, and what to verify before you apply.
Read the guide →Confidential vs. public marriage licenses in California
Learn the real differences between California confidential and public marriage licenses, including privacy, witnesses, copies, and courthouse wedding rules.
Read the guide →Getting married in a different county or state
Getting married away from home? Learn how county and state rules work, what to check, and how to avoid license, timing, and record mistakes.
Read the guide →