Marriage Licenses:
Marriage Steps
Steps 1 through 3 below must be completed in the proper order for a valid marriage.
1. Obtain a marriage license:
For regular and confidential marriage licenses, both the bride and groom must be present, able to provide picture ID
and pertinent information, and take an oath at the County Clerk/Recorder office. A regular marriage license may be used in any county in California. A confidential marriage license may only be used in the county of issue. (Family Code 350-352, 354, 355, 358, 359, 501-506).
2. Solemnize the Marriage (The Ceremony):
The license must then be presented to the person solemnizing the marriage within 90 days of issuance. One witness is required on the regular license. The person solemnizing the marriage will endorse the license as required in Family Code 422. (FC 356, 359, 422, 504, 507, 508)
3. Authenticate the Marriage:
No later than 10 days after the ceremony, the person who solemnized the marriage shall return the endorsed license to the county recorder of the county where the license was issued to be registered. (FC 306, 359, 423).
4. Optional Step:
If a party wishes to change their name with social security, complete the application included in the packet given to you by the Clerk/Recorder office when the license was issued. Deliver the application, with a certified copy of your registered license, by mail or in person to:
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
500 Jefferson Blvd. RM #B195
West Sacramento, CA 95605
916-373-3850
800-772-1213
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