How To Obtain A Marriage License In San Francisco?

Getting married in San Francisco is a complex process that requires obtaining a marriage license, having a ceremony, and obtaining a certificate. To get married, you must be unmarried, 18 or older, and have unexpired, government-issued photo ID. You can also choose between public or confidential marriage licenses.

To obtain a marriage license, you must visit the Office of the County Clerk together with your partner, ensuring they have a legal photo ID. The Office of the Assessor-Recorder maintains all public marriage licenses issued in the City and County of San Francisco. There are several ways to obtain a copy of your marriage certificate, including downloading, printing, and turning in the form in person with a valid photo ID at the main office.

Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance for a marriage anywhere in California. Both parties need a valid photo ID to apply for a license, and at least one witness will need to sign the certificate on your wedding day. If your ID doesn’t have your full legal name, bring a certified copy.

To get married in San Francisco, you must make and pay for a marriage license and ceremony reservation, locate availability, receive an appointment confirmation, cancel an existing appointment, and check the license for witness and solemnization requirements. Separate appointments are required for obtaining a marriage license and/or for the ceremony, and reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance.

Can you get a marriage license online in California?

Online marriage license system. Apply for your marriage license online! Start your online marriage license application by clicking the button. Both parties must appear together to get the official marriage license.

What does a foreigner need to get married in California?

ID and age proof. You must be at least 18 to get married in California. Each person must have a photo ID with a photo, date of birth, full name, and dates of issue and expiration. This could be a passport, naturalization certificate, resident alien card, driver’s license, or military ID. Some counties also require a birth certificate. You can expect to pay around $100 for a California marriage license. You pay the fee at the time of scheduling or at the appointment. Check your county’s payment requirements. Card payments may have a small fee. Proof of Divorce. You can’t be married to anyone else when you apply. You should know when and why your last marriage ended. If you were married and divorced in the last 90 days, bring a copy of your divorce papers.

Get Married! Get ready to get married! You both have to be there in person because marriage by proxy is not allowed in California. Military personnel are exempt. Couples with a public marriage license must have at least one witness at their ceremony. If you have a confidential marriage license, no witnesses are needed.

What is the fastest way to get married in the bay area?

A civil ceremony is the simplest and most City Hall-like. This is a quick ceremony with a few guests. You’ll have your license. Then go to Room 168 (County Clerk’s office) 15 minutes before your ceremony. Check-in takes up to 30 minutes. You can have up to six guests at your San Francisco City Hall civil ceremony. This includes your children, your witness, and your photographer/videographer. The rules are not strictly enforced, but they may be invoked at any time.

Civil ceremonies usually take place in the Rotunda, which is at the top of the Grand Staircase. The officiant will decide where it happens. You can ask for a different, brighter area. (Examples: Mayors Balcony, 3rd or 4th Floor).

How quickly can you get married in San Francisco?

If your marriage license was issued in California, you can get married in any California county within 90 days. Get your marriage license first and have your ceremony within 90 days. Your ceremony must be performed by an authorized person. Your marriage license must be recorded in the county where it was issued. The person who performed your ceremony must deliver your signed marriage license to the right place. If you had a San Francisco County Clerk public marriage license, return it to the Office of the Assessor-Recorder.

How do I get my marriage license from San Francisco?

To get married in San Francisco, you can get a marriage license from the Office of the County Clerk and schedule an officiant. You can also use an officiant from your family, friends, or faith community. Clients traveling to San Francisco for a wedding can get a marriage license from their local County Clerk. Your marriage certificate must be filed with the same county as your license.

What documents do you need for a marriage license in California?

To get a marriage license, you must: Both parties must be at least 18 and show photo ID. Examples of acceptable forms of ID include driver’s licenses, state IDs, passports, military IDs, and consulate cards. If photo ID doesn’t have full name, you must provide a certified copy of a birth certificate or court-ordered name change. Applicants must be unmarried. You can’t be married to each other or to anyone else. If either of you was married or in a registered domestic partnership before, you must say when it ended and how.If the previous marriage or SRDP ended within the last 30 days, you must present a certified copy of the final judgment. The license is valid for 90 days and can only be used in California.For info and forms on military power of attorney, click here. We only accept cash, checks, or debit cards for in-person services. After submitting your application online and within 30 days, both parties must come into the office to make a payment, complete the process, and receive the marriage license. The couple must appear together and show ID.

Note: A valid California marriage license is needed before a ceremony can be performed. Complete the marriage license application online (Step 1).

Can I get married the same day I get my marriage license in California?

Ready to get married on the same day? We can help! Call us now to schedule an appointment.

Requirements: Bring your marriage license and photo ID.

Obtaining Your Marriage License: We don’t issue marriage licenses. You can contact the Clerk of the Court in any county to get a marriage license. Some counties, like Kern County, are open to the public and offer same-day service. A license from any county is valid in the whole state. You don’t have to use the county clerk in your county. Please contact the county to check if they are open and issuing licenses to out-of-county residents. Hours and services may change due to the pandemic.

Can you get a marriage license the same day in San Francisco?

How to get married at SF City Hall in 2024. Step 1: Get your marriage license at SF City Hall. You can get your marriage license at San Francisco City Hall up to 90 days before your wedding. You can set up your appointment on the City Hall website. Get your marriage license at least the day before your wedding. You can do it on the same day if it’s more convenient. Click here to set up your marriage license appointment. You can also get your marriage license at any county clerk’s office in California. The license is valid for up to three months after it is issued, as long as it was obtained in California. For more info on California marriage licenses, click the link. Only California marriage licenses are accepted at San Francisco City Hall. They can be obtained at County Clerk offices throughout the state. You can book your marriage license appointment at the San Francisco County Clerk 30 minutes before your City Hall ceremony. If you want to do both on the same day, allow at least an hour between appointments. You can usually just have a 30-minute gap. We like the longer gap so you have more time if things get complicated or you are missing documents. Step 2: Book your wedding ceremony at SF City Hall. Appointments are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Book your civil ceremony here. Once you’ve set up your appointments and paid your fees, you’re ready to go! For popular dates, make your reservation at midnight on the 90th day before the day you want. Wedding dates and Fridays sell fast. What are the significant numbers we’re talking about? A date like 02/22/22 is an example. People like that type of date combination, but there are many more! Check dates in advance and online. Coming up soon is 02/24/24! You’ll see which dates are more and less popular online.

Can I get marriage license and get married same day in San Francisco?

For more info on California marriage licenses, click the link. Only California marriage licenses will be accepted at San Francisco City Hall. You can get them at County Clerk offices throughout the state. You can book your marriage license appointment at the San Francisco County Clerk 30 minutes before your City Hall ceremony. If you want to do both on the same day, allow at least an hour between appointments. This is just a wedding planning tip. You can usually just have the 30-minute gap. We like the longer gap so you have more time if things get complicated or you are missing documents. Step 2: Book your wedding ceremony at SF City Hall. Appointments are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Book your civil ceremony here. Once you’ve set up your appointments and paid your fees, you’re ready to go! For popular dates, make your reservation at midnight on the 90th day before the day you want. Wedding dates with numbers go fast, as do Fridays. What are some of the significant numbers we’re talking about? A date like 02/22/22 is an example. People like that date combination, but there are many more! Check dates in advance and online. Coming up soon is 02/24/24! You’ll see which dates are more and less popular online. It’s been reported that couples who log on to the San Francisco city hall website 90 days before their wedding at midnight can get their desired date. City hall is booking up quickly each month. They now offer fewer ceremony slots. There are now two slots every 30 minutes, down from three. Book 90 days out to be sure.

How long does it take to get a marriage license in California?

California marriage license requirements. You can get your license at any county clerk’s office in California. You don’t need to get your license in the county where you live or where you’re getting married. Call the County Clerk’s office to see if you need an appointment. Some counties have long lines. Both you and your fiancé must apply together at any County Clerk’s office. Bring a photo ID to verify your identity. Some counties say you should bring certified copies of your birth certificates. You must know your parents’ names, your mother’s maiden name, and where they were born. Call the clerk’s office before you go to make sure you have everything you need. California marriage licenses are only valid for 90 days, so get yours within 90 days of your wedding date. There is no blood test or waiting period. The clerk will give you your license right away. If you have been married before, you must show proof of divorce, death, or annulment. The cost for applying varies by county. Some counties only accept cash payments. After your ceremony, your officiant must file your license within 10 days. You can submit requests for certified copies beginning 7 days after the wedding date. Your marriage license packet includes instructions for obtaining certified copies. Bring your marriage license to your wedding. Without it, your officiant cannot marry you. Your officiant will file it with the county, and the county will mail it back to you to confirm that everything is official. There are also options for couples who want to get married online in California. Some couples use an existing California marriage license, but most start a new application. See our California Online Marriage page for more info.

California Confidential Marriage License Requirements. The California Department of Public Health says:

Do I need to register my marriage in the US if I get married abroad?

The US doesn’t have a national marriage registry. U.S. states recognize marriages from other states and countries. If you got married legally in the country or state where you did, your marriage is recognized in the United States. The only exception is for naturalization. Learn more about how marriage affects immigration here. If you are getting married abroad, the U.S. State Department website has helpful information.