How to Get Married in California: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting married in California is refreshingly straightforward from a legal standpoint — there's no waiting period, no blood test, and the paperwork itself typically takes less than an hour. The steps below walk through exactly what's required, from the marriage license to choosing where you'll actually say "I do."

Step 1: Get Your Marriage License

Both partners must appear together in person at a County Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license — this can't be done by mail or online, and one partner can't apply on behalf of the other. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or similar) for each person. California has no waiting period and no blood test requirement, so if your paperwork is in order, you can walk out with a license the same day. Fees, accepted payment methods, and office hours vary by county, so check with your local county clerk's office before you go.

Once issued, a California marriage license is valid for 90 days. Your ceremony needs to take place within that window, and the signed license needs to be returned for recording afterward — confirm the exact deadline and process with the county that issued it.

Step 2: Choose Between a Public or Confidential License

California offers two types of marriage licenses, and picking the right one matters:

• Public marriage license — requires at least one witness at the ceremony, and the resulting marriage record becomes part of the public record, searchable by anyone.
• Confidential marriage license — available to couples who are already living together, does not require a witness, and the record is sealed, accessible only to the couple themselves (with some exceptions for legal proceedings).

Most couples default to a public license, but if privacy matters to you and you already share a home, ask the clerk's office whether you qualify for the confidential option.

Step 3: Choose Your Officiant

California recognizes ceremonies performed by ordained or licensed clergy, active or retired judges, and a range of other authorized officiants, including many friends or family members who become ordained online for the occasion. Whoever you choose, confirm they're comfortable filling out and signing their portion of the license paperwork correctly, since a simple mistake here can delay getting your marriage recorded.

Step 4: Decide Where to Get Married

With your license in hand, you have real flexibility in where the ceremony itself happens:

• A courthouse civil ceremony — quick, affordable, and often available the same day at many county clerk's offices, sometimes right after you pick up your license. Our Los Angeles courthouse wedding photography guide covers what to expect if you go this route, and the historic Old Orange County Courthouse is a popular, photogenic option for an Orange County civil ceremony.
• A full-service venue — banquet halls, gardens, estates, and hotels across California can host both ceremony and reception on one property.
• A private location — a backyard, park, beach, or another personally meaningful spot, provided your officiant is willing to travel and any required permits for public land are sorted out ahead of time.

FAQs

How do I get married in California? Both partners appear together at a County Clerk's office with valid photo ID to get a marriage license — no waiting period or blood test required. From there, you choose an officiant and a location, hold your ceremony within 90 days of the license being issued, and have your officiant (and witness, if required) sign the license so it can be returned to the county for recording.

How can I get married? Legally, all you need is a valid marriage license from a California county clerk and an authorized officiant to perform the ceremony. Everything else — the venue, the guest list, the outfit — is entirely up to you, which is why California ceremonies range from a five-minute courthouse appointment to a full-day celebration at a banquet hall or private estate.

Where do you get married? Anywhere your officiant can be there. Popular options include a courthouse civil ceremony, a dedicated wedding venue or banquet hall, or a private, personally meaningful location like a backyard or park. Your marriage license is issued by a county clerk's office, but it doesn't tie you to getting married in that same building.

Do we need a blood test or waiting period to get married in California? No. California does not require a blood test, and there's no waiting period between when your license is issued and when you can hold your ceremony, so you can legally marry the same day if your paperwork is ready.

Planning your California wedding day? Explore our rates and packages or get in touch to check our availability for your date.