Marriage Licenses

Jim McCauley, County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters

Clerk-Recorder Office
2954 Richardson Drive
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 886-5610
Fax: (530) 886-5687
E-mail: clerk@placer.ca.gov

Effective January 1, 2009, The Name Equality Act of 2007 (AB 102, Chapter 567, Statutes of 2007) gives specific rights to parties who are applying for their California marriage license, to choose and list on the marriage license, the new name(s) that each party will go by after marriage (Family Code 306.5) This new law only pertains to marriage licenses issued on or after January 1, 2009 and does not apply to marriage licenses issued prior to that date.

NOTE: Parties are not required to have the same name, nor are they required to change their name. If one or both of the parties want to have their new name(s) shown on their marriage license, the new name must be entered on the marriage license application at the time they are applying for their marriage license. The name you indicate on your marriage license application will be your name on the marriage license certificate and cannot be changed by the County Clerk. If you do not indicate a new name on your marriage license, a court order might be required to do a name change.

For more information please visit The Office of Vital Records

Wedding Keepsakes are now available.

The following is information regarding: public marriage licenses and confidential marriage licenses; who may solemnize a marriage; miscellaneous information; and frequently asked questions.

As of, November 5, 2008, Placer County suspended the issuance of marriage licenses and the performance of marriage ceremonies for same sex couples. This is being done in response to the current results posted for Proposition 8 on the Secretary of State website, and responding to the direction given by the offices of the Governor and the Attorney General for the State of California

There are two types of marriage licenses a couple may apply for: Public and Confidential. Both types of marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date they are issued. The Public Marriage license can be used anywhere in the state of California. The Confidential Marriage license must be used in the county where it was purchased. You must present the license to the person who is to perform the marriage ceremony. After the ceremony is performed, it is their responsibility to complete the license and to return it to the County Clerk for filing within 10 days after the ceremony.

Applying for a Public or a Confidential Marriage License

Marriage License Appli cation

Parties to be married must do the following to apply for a marriage license:

1.	Apply together and apply in person.
2.	Present a government issued picture identification, such as a driver's license, passport or military ID.
3.	Provide full names, including mother's maiden names, and state or country of birth for parents.
4.	If previously married or in a State Registered Domestic Partnership, provide the date of dissolution, death or termination.

If Purchasing a Confidential Marriage License, the three additional requirements also apply:

Confidential Marriage License Application

1.	Both applicants must be over 18 years of age.
2.	Currently living together.
3.	Being married in the county where the license was purchased.

Who May Solemnize Marriages per Family Code §401

Marriage may be solemnized by any priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination, a judge or retired judge, commissioner or retired commissioner, or assistant commissioner of a court of record, a judge or magistrate who has resigned from office, or by a person authorized to do so under Family Code Section §401.

Family Code Section §401
For each county, the county clerk is designated as a commissioner of civil marriages. The commissioner of civil marriages may appoint deputy commissioners of civil marriages who may solemnize marriages under the direction of the commissioner.

Civil Marriage Ceremonies

On a limited basis, ceremonies are performed through the Clerk-Recorders Office, Monday through Friday by appointment only. Please call at least 24 hours in advance for scheduling the appointment.

Miscellaneous Information

1.	Minors, emancipated minors included, cannot be licensed to marry in California without a parent's written consent and a Superior Court Order, and cannot purchase a Confidential Marriage license. Please call for more information.
2.	There are no residency requirements for the parties to be married, or witnesses to the ceremony.
3.	The Public marriage license can be used anywhere in the state of California. The Confidential marriage license can only be used in the county it was issued in.
4.	One witness is required on the Public marriage license. Two are also acceptable. No witnesses are necessary for the Confidential marriage license.
5.	The Public license is a public record and available for anyone's inspection. It may be published in a local newspaper. The Confidential marriage license is not a public record, and a certified copy can only be purchased by the parties of the marriage without a court order.
6.	Certified copies are available at the Recorder's Office for a fee of $14.00 for a Public license and $19.00 for a Confidential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How far ahead of time do we need to get our Marriage License?
A: The license is valid the same day it is issued and usable for up to ninety (90) days.

Q: Do we need a blood test?
A: No. As of January 1, 1995, blood tests are no longer necessary.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: $56.00 for a Public Marriage License. $60.00 for a Confidential Marriage License. Please see Fee Schedule for more information.

Q: Where do we go to get the License?
A: To the County Clerk-Recorder's Office, 2954 Richardson Drive, Auburn.

Q: Do we get a copy of the license?
A: No. You may purchase a certified copy at the Recorder's office for a fee of $14.00 for a public and $19.00 for a confidential.


Home > Departments > Clerk - Recorder > Marriage Licenses	Friday, May 25, 2012