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| Mobile Marriage License Service IS your Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder alternative. |
What's the difference between a public and a confidential marriage license?
- Public marriage license: A public marriage license requires the couple to appear together at the Registrar/Recorder's office during regular business hours to obtain the marriage license. During this process you may encounter a long (2-3+ hours) wait. Public marriage licenses create a public record and will allow anyone access to your vital information. This license can be obtained and used in any county within California, and witnesses are required.
- Confidential marriage license: The confidential license is only for couples currently living together. While no proof is required, you're both stating under penalty of perjury that you are. With the confidential license, your vital and personal information is not public record (no junk mail, media or internet searches) and information can only be obtained by the couple, or by a court order. This type of license is is perfect for high profile couples such as; celebrities, business leaders, politicians, law enforcement, etc., and anyone else who does not have the luxury of time off from work and waiting in long lines. This license can be obtained in any county in California, but may only be used in the county in which it is issued. Witnesses are not required, and the license can be notary issued afterhours and on weekends.
Is there a waiting period and is a blood test required?
- California does not have a waiting period or require a blood test.
Do I have to be a California resident?
- There are no residency requirements to obtain a marriage license in California.
How do I get a confidential marriage license?
- The Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder has authorized a small number of notary publics to assist with the issuance of marriage licenses, or you may wish to visit their office. As an authorized notary we can issue a license to you at your convenience, afterhours and weekends in the comfort of your home or office. A license issued by Mobile Marriage License Service is just as legal and binding as if you had appeared before the Registrar/Recorder.
What are the requirements for a confidential marriage license?
- You must be an unmarried couple, age 18 or older that is living together as husband and wife, and you both must appear together in person in front of the Registrar/Recorder or authorized notary issuing the license.
- You both must possess a valid, nonexpired state issued I.D. card, driver's license, or U.S. govt. issued I.D card, passport, military I.D., or Alien Registration Card (formerly known as the “Green Card”) etc. Acceptable identification is one that contains a photograph, date of birth, an issue and expiration date, and may contain a physical description. A birth certificate alone is not valid identification and all documents must be in English.
- If you have been divorced within the last two (2) years, you must bring a copy of your divorce decree. If the marriage was dissolved more than two years ago, you must know the official date that it was finalized. NOTE: Until the final date of dissolution you are still married and a license and ceremony cannot be completed.
- If you have been widowed within the last two (2) years, you must bring a copy of the death certificate.
- You will need to know your mother's maiden name and the state (country, if foreign born) of birth of both your parents.
How long is the license valid for?
- The marriage license is good for ninety (90) days from the date of issuance and can ONLY be used in the county of issuance. If your license expires before you have your ceremony you will have to purchase a new license. Ideally you should get your license about 1 month prior to your wedding.
I have my license, now what?
- Once you are issued a license, this does not mean that you are married, as it is only a permit. You must have a ceremony before an officiant, who will sign the license and submit the original copy to the Registrar/Recorder within ten (10) days.
I'm under 18, can I get a license?
- No, both parties must have written parental consent and a court order granting permission to get married using a public marriage license. Contact your local Registrar/Recorder for more information.
Can I get a marriage license and get married over the phone/internet?
- No. California is a "ceremonial" state. Marriages over the phone or the internet are NOT LEGALLY VALID in California. You both must appear in person together in front of the Registrar/Recorder or authorized notary issuing the license. The bride and groom as well as the officiant must be physically present together in the same location, at the same time for the ceremony.
What about proxy marriages?
- There is only one exception, otherwise see above.
SB 7 was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 10, 2004.
Because it was passed as an urgency measure, the law took effect immediately.
The law allows marriage-by-proxy in California for members of the armed forces who are stationed overseas in wars or conflicts. It allows them to give their power of attorney for someone to stand in for them during their wedding ceremony. Contact your local Registrar/Recorder for more information, as ONLY they can issue a proxy license.
What about same sex marriages?
- As of June 17, 2008, we can issue a license to same sex couples, the California Supreme Court has ruled in favor to give same sex couples the right to marry.