State guide
California
In California, county clerks issue both public and confidential marriage licenses, and the license is effective immediately and valid for 90 days within California. Public-license ceremonies need at least one witness, while confidential-license ceremonies need none; counties also commonly offer clerk-run civil ceremonies and Deputy Commissioner for a Day appointments. ([cdph.ca.gov](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Marriage-License-Information.aspx?utm_source=openai))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who issues licenses
- County clerk; for each county, the county clerk is designated as Commissioner of Civil Marriages. ([cdph.ca.gov](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/California-Marriage-License-General-Information.aspx?r=seo%3Fr&utm_source=openai))
- Waiting period
- none; licenses are effective immediately. ([sccoclerk.santacruzcountyca.gov](https://www.sccoclerk.santacruzcountyca.gov/CountyClerkHome/MarriageLicenses/PublicMarriageLicenses.aspx?utm_source=openai))
- License valid for
- 90 days. ([cdph.ca.gov](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/CDPH%20Document%20Library/CHSI-CaliforniaMarriageLicenseRegistrationandCeremonyInfo-2017.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- Witnesses
- public: 1 required; confidential: not required. ([cdph.ca.gov](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Types-of-Marriage-Licenses-.aspx?TSPD%255F101%255FR0=087ed344cfab2000382bb3938fe5a308e9c49f581176788df27558c721a1c03132f1&utm_source=openai))
- License fee
- Varies by county; official pages found public $58-$129 and confidential $66-$144. ([fresnocountyca.gov](https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/County-ClerkRegistrar-of-Voters/County-Clerk/Marriage-License?OC_EA_EmergencyAnnouncementList_Dismiss=99080a42-aa20-4b57-b1ab-a95fb2f073cd&utm_source=openai))
- Friend or one-day officiant
- Yes. California Family Code section 401 allows Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages, and counties such as Los Angeles and Monterey publish 'Deputy Commissioner for a Day' programs. ([cdph.ca.gov](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/California-Marriage-License-General-Information.aspx?r=seo%3Fr&utm_source=openai))
Official resources in California
California Family Code § 501
Official statute for confidential marriage license issuance by the county clerk.
Los Angeles County RR/CC: Fees
Large-county official fee page showing current marriage license, ceremony, witness, and Deputy Commissioner for a Day fees.
Key facts for California
- California marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from issuance. ([cdph.ca.gov](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/CDPH%20Document%20Library/CHSI-CaliforniaMarriageLicenseRegistrationandCeremonyInfo-2017.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- Public-license ceremonies require at least one witness; confidential-license ceremonies require none. ([cdph.ca.gov](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Types-of-Marriage-Licenses-.aspx?TSPD%255F101%255FR0=087ed344cfab2000382bb3938fe5a308e9c49f581176788df27558c721a1c03132f1&utm_source=openai))
- Each county clerk is a Commissioner of Civil Marriages and may appoint Deputy Commissioners. ([cdph.ca.gov](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/California-Marriage-License-General-Information.aspx?r=seo%3Fr&utm_source=openai))
- Marriage license fees vary by county; official pages found public fees from $58 to $129 and confidential fees from $66 to $144. ([fresnocountyca.gov](https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/County-ClerkRegistrar-of-Voters/County-Clerk/Marriage-License?OC_EA_EmergencyAnnouncementList_Dismiss=99080a42-aa20-4b57-b1ab-a95fb2f073cd&utm_source=openai))
- The officiant must return the original license within 10 days after the ceremony. ([cdph.ca.gov](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Marriage-Officiant-Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx?utm_source=openai))
Courthouse ceremonies in California
| County | Details |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | RR/CC performs appointment-only civil ceremonies, including express ceremonies, at all RR/CC offices. ([lavote.gov](https://www.lavote.gov/home/county-clerk/marriage-licenses-ceremonies/ceremonies/general-info?utm_source=openai)) |
| San Diego County | Recorder/County Clerk offers license-and-ceremony appointments at multiple office locations. ([sdarcc.gov](https://www.sdarcc.gov/marriages/?utm_source=openai)) |
| Orange County | Clerk-Recorder performs ceremonies at available office locations; public-license ceremonies require the couple to provide a witness. ([ocrecorder.com](https://www.ocrecorder.com/services/marriage-services?utm_source=openai)) |
| Santa Clara County | Clerk-Recorder operates a wedding chapel with county deputy marriage commissioners. ([clerkrecorder.santaclaracounty.gov](https://clerkrecorder.santaclaracounty.gov/marriage-birth-and-death/marriage-services/plan-your-marriage-ceremony?utm_source=openai)) |
What to do next
- Decide first between a public and confidential license, because witness rules and record access differ. ([cdph.ca.gov](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Types-of-Marriage-Licenses-.aspx?TSPD%255F101%255FR0=087ed344cfab2000382bb3938fe5a308e9c49f581176788df27558c721a1c03132f1&utm_source=openai))
- If you want the clerk to perform the ceremony, book the license-and-ceremony appointment together; some counties also offer express ceremonies. ([sdarcc.gov](https://www.sdarcc.gov/marriages/?utm_source=openai))
- If a friend or relative will officiate, ask the county about a Deputy Commissioner for a Day appointment before the ceremony date. ([lavote.gov](https://www.lavote.gov/home/county-clerk/marriage-licenses-ceremonies/ceremonies/deputy-commissioner-for-a-day-program?utm_source=openai))
Helpful guides
- How to get married at the courthouse
- What to bring when you apply for a marriage license
- Marriage license waiting periods and expiration dates
- Do you need witnesses for a courthouse wedding?
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