Frequently
Asked Questions

A marriage license is the legal document required to be married in California. Without a valid license, a wedding ceremony alone does not create a legally recognized marriage. The license must be signed by both parties and completed by the officiant on the day of the ceremony. Once recorded with the County, it becomes the official record of your marriage.

A Confidential Marriage License becomes part of a confidential record and is not accessible to the public — only the parties named on the license may obtain copies with valid government-issued identification. A Public Marriage License becomes part of the public record and is accessible to anyone who requests it. Both are legally valid in California.

Many couples prefer to keep their personal information private. Because a confidential marriage record is not publicly accessible, it provides an increased level of privacy and protection that a public marriage license does not offer. Confidential licenses are popular among celebrities, entertainment professionals, business owners, and couples who value privacy, but they are available to any qualified couple living together.

To qualify for a Confidential Marriage License, both parties must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be legally eligible to marry
• Be living together at the time of application
• Present valid government-issued identification

Additional requirements may apply depending on your circumstances.

Public Marriage Licenses must be obtained directly through the County Clerk's office. Individuals authorized by the County Registrar-Recorder may only issue Confidential Marriage Licenses.

Absolutely. You do not need to live in Los Angeles to obtain a Confidential Marriage License through our service. We are located within California and just need the couple to meet the eligibility requirements. We can assist couples throughout Southern California.

No, California does not require either party to be a resident in order to marry here. Couples coming from other states or countries are welcome to use our service. Just meet the standard eligibility requirements and we'll handle the rest.

Possibly. In California, a marriage license is generally required before the ceremony takes place. If you have already celebrated your wedding and would like to make it legally official, please contact us directly. We can review your situation and help determine the appropriate next steps.

Because the application is completed in advance, any name change you wish to make should be decided before your appointment. After the license has been issued, it may be used to update your name with government agencies, financial institutions, and other organizations. There is no deadline for completing these updates, and you can do so at your own pace.

Because the application is completed in advance, most appointments take ten minutes or less. We prepare everything ahead of time so the meeting itself is quick, smooth, and stress-free — giving you more time to focus on your wedding day.