How to Get a Marriage License in California
California marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- varies by county (~$35-$105; public vs confidential license differs)
- Waiting period
- none
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Confirm the fee before you go. The marriage-license fee in this state is set by the county and varies, so the figure above is a representative range — check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
Couples seeking to marry in California must obtain a marriage license from the County Clerk or Recorder's office in the county where they intend to marry. Both parties must present a valid government-issued photo ID. California imposes no residency requirement. The state has no mandatory waiting period, and once issued, a license remains valid for 90 days. Applicants must be at least 18 years old; those under 18 may marry only with both parental consent and a court order, with no absolute age floor—the decision rests with the court. Some counties offer remote or online application options, though availability varies.
California offers two license types with different requirements. A public license requires one witness present at the ceremony; a confidential license requires no witnesses but mandates that both parties have already been cohabiting. The license fee varies by county, typically ranging from approximately $35 to $105, and the exact amount and payment methods differ depending on the county. Applicants should verify the current fee, application procedures, and any county-specific rules directly with their local County Clerk or Recorder's office or the county's official website before applying, as fees and regulations are county-set and subject to change.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | California |
|---|---|
| License fee | varies by county (~$35-$105; public vs confidential license differs) |
| Fee set by | County (varies by county) |
| Waiting period | none |
| License validity | 90 days |
| ID required | valid government photo ID for both parties |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; under 18 requires a court order AND parental consent (no absolute floor — court discretion) |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | 1 witness for a public license (up to 2 lines); 0 witnesses for a confidential license |
| Online option | some counties (e.g., remote video appointments) offer online/remote issuance; varies by county |
| Where to apply | County Clerk / Recorder (county-administered) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full California requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record California marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.