Jacqueline Soares,

Non Denominational Officiant

I DoToday.com

I Do Today & Forever More

Officiant for Orange County and Greater Los Angeles

Marriage License

Recording the Marriage Certificate

Name Change

Marriage License

Public Marriage License- Fee $61-91

(Fees vary from  county to county)

A public marriage license is a public record, and anyone can request a copy or information from the record. This license can be used anywhere in the State of California. (After license is returned for recording and has been recorded its clarified now as a Marriage Certificate.)

Confidential Marriage License- Fee $66-$85

A confidential marriage license becomes a confidential record, and the only people able to obtain information about it are the couple, except by special court order. The requirements to obtain this type of license are:

  • Couple must be living together prior to the marriage.
  • This license can be used anywhere in the State of California.

To complete the application for a marriage license, a couple must:

  • Appear together in person.

  • Each present one form of a valid non-expired photo identification (such as a driver's license or passport).

  • If divorced within the last 90 days, please provide a certified copy of the divorce decree. If spouse is deceased within the previous 90 days, please provide a certified copy of the death certificate. For Orange County Superior Court click here  for more information on obtaining a certified copy of your divorce decree.

  • Select the name each wishes to use after marriage, to be listed on the marriage license. Couples are not required to change their names nor are they required to take the same name. However, if a name change is desired, it must be correctly reflected before the marriage license is signed. Once the license is signed, names can only be changed by a court order.

  • Both individuals must be able to read, speak and understand English. If not, the couple must bring a third party translator to obtain a license and to have a ceremony performed. The department does not provide translation services.
    (information quoted from http://www.ocrecorder.com/services/marriage)


Recording your License

As an officiant I am required to send your license back in for recording. Once received by the county recorder it takes appx. 20 business days to be recorded.


Requesting certified copy/ies of your marriage license:


Orange County Recorder's Fee is $17/ea certified copy. I usually encourage my couples to purchase 2 for their records and name changes. (After your license has been returned to the Recorder's Office and once recorded it is identified as a marriage record/certificate thereafter.)


 


Name Change: