Los Angeles County Marriage License: Applications, Appointments and Ceremonies
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) issues marriage licenses, performs civil marriage ceremonies, and records completed licenses issued by its office. This guide explains how to apply, prepare documents, choose a license and ceremony, and request a marriage certificate after recording.
Independent information guide: This website is not affiliated with the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Applications, appointments, payments, eligibility decisions, and official records are handled by the county or other responsible agency.
Start with your appointment type: Complete the official online application and save your confirmation number. Choose a marriage-license-only appointment if you will arrange a ceremony separately, or select “Marriage License and Express Ceremony” if you want the county's combined service. Both parties normally must attend together with valid identification and required supporting documents.
Choose Your Next Step
A marriage license application, an issued license, a ceremony, and a recorded marriage certificate are different stages. Submitting an application or purchasing a license does not make you legally married.
| Your task | Where to start | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for a marriage license | Official application and appointment page. | Personal information for both applicants, identification, prior-marriage details, and any required supporting documents. |
| Obtain a license and arrange your own ceremony | Choose a marriage-license-only appointment, then arrange a qualified officiant. | Application confirmation number, required documents, ceremony date, and witness arrangements when applicable. |
| Obtain a license and have an express county ceremony | Select “Marriage License and Express Ceremony” after completing the application. | Required documents and one witness for a public license, or arrangements for a county-provided witness. |
| Schedule a standard county civil ceremony | Civil ceremony instructions after purchasing the license. | The issued license, payment, preferred location, and questions about witnesses and guest capacity. |
| Return the completed license after the ceremony | Confirm the return arrangements with your officiant and follow the issuing county's instructions. | The completed original document and the correct return address or delivery instructions. |
| Request a marriage certificate copy | Marriage records request instructions. | Marriage details, license type, required copy type, requester eligibility, and applicable payment. |
| Ask about a minor applicant, inmate marriage, or unusual circumstances | Call RR/CC at 800-201-8999 before using the standard process. | The circumstances and any court orders or supporting documents relevant to the request. |
Eligibility and Required Documents
Review the county's official eligibility requirements before applying. For the standard process, both parties must appear together and provide proof of identity and age.
Identification and Translated Documents
The county lists a driver's license and passport as acceptable identification. Documents must be valid; expired identification is not accepted. Confirm acceptable documentation with RR/CC if your situation requires another form of identification.
Documents must be in English. A document in another language must be accompanied by an English translation prepared by a certified translator, and the translation must be notarized.
Previous Marriages
Both applicants must be unmarried. A previous marriage remains valid until the final date of dissolution.
If a divorce or dissolution occurred within the past two years, the county requires a certified copy of the divorce or dissolution document. If the final dissolution occurred more than two years ago, written proof may not be required, but the final dissolution date must still be provided.
Use the date the marriage legally ended, rather than the filing date, separation date, or hearing date. Contact RR/CC before the appointment if the required documentation is unclear.
State-Registered Domestic Partnerships
Applicants whose state-registered domestic partnership ended within the past two years must provide a certified copy of the termination. For an earlier termination, written proof may not be required, but the termination date must be supplied.
Applicants marrying the same person with whom they entered into a state-registered domestic partnership must present a copy of their Declaration of Domestic Partnership.
Residency and Health Requirements
Los Angeles County does not require California residency or a particular citizenship status to obtain a marriage license. A blood test and health certificate are not required.
Minor Applicants and Special Procedures
The county states that an applicant under 18 must provide a notarized parent or guardian consent statement and a Superior Court order granting permission to obtain a marriage license. Confidential licenses are not available to applicants under 18.
Inmate marriages follow specific procedures. For minor applicants, inmate marriages, or circumstances affecting either person's ability to appear, call 800-201-8999 before proceeding. Do not assume that the standard appointment process can accommodate the situation.
Public and Confidential Licenses
California offers public and confidential marriage licenses. The choice affects eligibility, witness requirements, and access to the resulting record.
| Feature | Public license | Confidential license |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Applicants must satisfy the applicable marriage requirements. Minor applicants need the required court approval and consent documentation. | Both applicants must be at least 18 and must be living together as spouses when applying, with the required declaration and other eligibility conditions. |
| Witness | At least one witness is required for the ceremony and must complete the applicable witness portion of the document. | A witness is not required. |
| Record access | The resulting record is public. Eligibility rules distinguish authorized certified copies from informational copies. | The record is not open to routine public inspection. Copies may be obtained by the parties to the marriage or through a court order. |
| Ceremony location | The ceremony must take place in California. | The ceremony must take place in California. |
| Published county license fee | $91; check the current official fee schedule before purchase. | $85; check the current official fee schedule before purchase. |
A confidential license is not simply a way to avoid bringing a witness. Applicants must meet its eligibility conditions. Review the California Department of Public Health license-type guidance and the county's eligibility instructions before choosing.
For certificate copies, use the county's marriage record eligibility instructions rather than assuming that anyone can obtain an authorized copy.
Application and Appointments
Begin at the official marriage license application page. The online application prepares your request; the license is issued after the required in-person review and purchase.
- Review eligibility and gather documents for both applicants.
- Decide which license type and appointment service you need.
- Complete the online application accurately.
- Save the application confirmation number.
- Use that number to book the appropriate appointment.
- Attend together with valid identification, supporting documents, and payment.
- Review the information before the license is issued.
Choose the Correct Appointment
Marriage-license-only appointment: Use this option when you will arrange the ceremony separately. If you want a standard county civil ceremony, you can schedule it after purchasing the license.
Marriage License and Express Ceremony: Use this combined appointment when you want to obtain the license and have an express county ceremony during the same visit. Complete the online application before selecting this appointment type.
Session Limits and Confirmation Numbers
The application portal states that a session expires after 30 minutes of inactivity. Have the necessary information ready before starting, and save the confirmation number after submission.
If you cannot book an appointment immediately, retain the confirmation number and use the official application page to check available dates.
Availability and Arrival Time
The county publishes appointments up to three weeks in advance on a first-come, first-served basis. Its FAQ states that there is no waitlist. If no appointments appear, continue checking the official system for openings.
The county provides a five-minute grace period. Its FAQ states that an appointment will be canceled if you exceed that period. Allow time for travel, parking, building access, and finding the service location.
Review the official FAQ and your appointment confirmation for current instructions.
Reviewing Information and Name Choices
Review names, dates, prior-marriage details, and other entries before the license is issued. The county states that an error discovered before marriage requires purchasing a new license. A lost license also requires a new purchase rather than a reprint.
Choosing a Name After Marriage
California's Name Equality Act permits certain middle-name and last-name choices through the marriage license process. Neither party must change a name, and spouses do not have to use the same name.
Permitted choices include specified current or birth surnames and qualifying combinations. The rules differ for middle names and last names, so review the county's complete name-change instructions before completing those fields.
- A first name cannot be changed through this process.
- An existing middle name cannot simply be dropped through this process.
- Segments are not permitted when forming a new middle name.
- The county cannot amend an issued license to add or change the new name you wish to use after marriage.
- The new name takes effect through the marriage process; updating agency and account records requires separate action.
County Clerk staff cannot provide legal advice about which name you should choose. After marriage, contact the agencies maintaining your identification, benefits, and accounts to confirm their document requirements.
Fees and Payment
The county's published fee schedule lists the following amounts. Check the official fees page and appointment instructions before purchase for any changes or additional charges.
| Service | Published fee | What to note |
|---|---|---|
| Public marriage license | $91 | The license fee is separate from ceremony and certificate-copy charges. |
| Confidential marriage license | $85 | Applicants must meet confidential-license eligibility requirements. |
| County civil ceremony | $35 | County ceremonies require an appointment and prepayment. |
| County-provided ceremony witness | $20 | Confirm witness arrangements when booking a ceremony with a public license. |
| Deputy Commissioner for a Day Program | $75 | This is a separate program with its own requirements. |
| Marriage certificate copy | Check marriage records instructions | Copies require a separate request and applicable payment. |
Payment Methods
The county FAQ lists cash, checks, money orders, debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay. Accepted credit cards include American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
Checks and money orders must be payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Valid identification of the person signing a check is required at purchase.
The FAQ lists a $1.75 service fee for debit or credit card payments, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay. It excludes e-checks, temporary checks, and foreign checks other than those from Canada and Mexico. Confirm current payment instructions before your visit.
Ceremony Options
You may choose a county civil ceremony or arrange a ceremony with another person legally authorized to solemnize marriages in California.
Standard County Civil Ceremony
For a standard civil ceremony, purchase the marriage license first. You may schedule the ceremony when purchasing the license or follow the county's instructions for booking afterward.
The county states that standard ceremonies require an appointment and prepayment and are scheduled for 15 minutes. Guest capacity depends on the location. Outside officiants may not perform ceremonies in the county's chapels.
The county permits one rescheduling without a new ceremony fee; another rescheduling requires a new fee. For current booking instructions, review the civil ceremony page.
Express Marriage License and Ceremony
The county offers “Marriage License and Express Ceremony” appointments at its seven listed offices. These combined appointments are scheduled for 45 minutes.
Both applicants must bring valid identification and all required supporting documents. A public license requires one witness at the marriage license window. If you need a county-provided witness, confirm availability and the additional fee.
A confidential license does not require a witness. Family members and friends who are not serving as the required witness must wait outside, according to the county's express-service instructions.
Choose a standard ceremony or another venue if you want a gathering that exceeds the express appointment's arrangements. Available dates for the combined service are shown in the appointment system.
Another Qualified Officiant
A county ceremony is optional. California authorizes specified religious officiants, judicial officers, civil marriage commissioners, and other qualifying public officials to perform marriages.
The county states that ordained ministers do not need to register with its office before performing a ceremony. It also warns that ordination documents marked for entertainment use do not establish valid ordination.
Confirm your officiant's legal authority, document-completion responsibilities, and return arrangements before the ceremony. Review the county's qualified officiant information and the state's marriage officiant FAQ when needed.
License Validity and Ceremony Location
A California marriage license is valid for 90 days from issuance. The ceremony must occur while the license is valid. Submitting the online application does not start the issued license's 90-day period.
A Los Angeles County license may be used for a ceremony elsewhere in California. It cannot be used for a ceremony outside California. Coordinate the license purchase with your ceremony date and location.
The completed document must be returned to the county that issued it. Los Angeles County records licenses it issued, even when the ceremony occurred in another California county. It does not record a license issued by another county or state.
If the license expires or is lost before the ceremony, contact RR/CC about obtaining a new license. Do not assume that its validity can be extended or that a lost original can be reprinted.
Returning the License and Requesting Records
After the ceremony, the original document must be completed and returned for registration. Recording the marriage and obtaining a certificate copy are separate steps.
Who Returns the Completed License?
The California Department of Public Health guidance states that the person solemnizing the marriage must return the original license to the appropriate County Clerk or County Recorder within 10 days of the ceremony.
Confirm this responsibility with your officiant before the ceremony. Make sure the applicable signatures and required information are completed and that the document is sent to the issuing county.
For a Los Angeles County license, follow the county recording instructions, which direct completed licenses to the Norwalk office. Use the return instructions supplied with your license and confirm the destination if unclear.
Requesting a Marriage Certificate Copy
The county does not automatically send a marriage certificate copy after recording. You must request the copy and pay the applicable fee.
The county explains that a records request may be submitted when the completed document is sent for recording. A copy can be issued only after the record is registered and available for the requested service.
Use the official marriage records request page to choose the correct request method and copy type. Public and confidential records have different access rules.
If you selected a new name during the license process, a certified marriage record may be needed to update other records. Confirm the receiving agency's requirements before ordering.
Errors Discovered After the Ceremony
If you discover an error after marriage, call 800-201-8999 for the required next steps. Explain that the ceremony has already occurred; the process differs from replacing an unused license.
The county cannot simply add or change your selected married name on an issued license. Review those fields before issuance.
Offices and Contacts
Use the official branch locations page and appointment confirmation to check current addresses, services, and hours. Published office hours do not guarantee an available marriage appointment.
| Office | Address | Published weekday hours |
|---|---|---|
| Norwalk Main Office | 12400 Imperial Highway Norwalk, CA 90650 |
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Beverly Hills | 9355 Burton Way, 4th Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90210 |
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| East Los Angeles | 4716 E. Cesar Chavez Boulevard, Building B Los Angeles, CA 90022 |
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Lancaster | 44509 16th Street West, Suite 101 Lancaster, CA 93534 |
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| LAX / Courthouse | 11701 S. La Cienega Boulevard, 6th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90045 |
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Van Nuys | 14340 W. Sylvan Street Van Nuys, CA 91401 |
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Florence / Firestone | 7807 Compton Avenue, Room 102 Los Angeles, CA 90001 |
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
Hours are local Pacific Time. Offices are closed on weekends and observed holidays. Ceremony schedules vary; use the appointment system for the service you selected rather than assuming that every ceremony option is available throughout office hours.
A branch listing same-day license service does not establish that appointments are unnecessary or that a ceremony is available that day.
Telephone Assistance
For marriage licenses, ceremonies, special procedures, and records assistance, call 800-201-8999 and follow the relevant menu options. The official contact page lists current routing information.
Mailing Documents
The county instructs customers to send mail to the appropriate Norwalk headquarters section rather than a branch office. Use the address designated for your transaction.
Marriage record copy requests have their own mailing instructions. Do not assume that a records-request mailing address is also the correct destination for returning your completed original license; follow the instructions supplied with the license or confirm with RR/CC.
Divorce Records
RR/CC does not maintain divorce records. For a divorce handled in Los Angeles County, use the Los Angeles Superior Court to find the appropriate records process.
Marriage Process Checklist
- Confirm the service: Check whether you booked a license-only appointment, an express combined appointment, or a standard ceremony.
- Save your confirmation: Keep the application number and appointment instructions available.
- Check identification: Both applicants should have valid documents accepted by the county.
- Gather supporting records: Bring certified dissolution or partnership documents, translations, and court-related documents when required.
- Review name choices: Decide whether to select an eligible new middle or last name before issuance.
- Check costs: Confirm license, ceremony, witness, payment-service, and certificate-copy charges separately.
- Plan the witness: A public-license ceremony requires a witness; a confidential-license ceremony does not.
- Arrive on time: Allow for parking, building access, and the county's five-minute grace period.
- Check the ceremony date: Use the license within its 90-day validity period and hold the ceremony in California.
- Confirm document return: Arrange for the officiant to return the completed original within 10 days.
- Request copies separately: A recorded marriage certificate copy is not automatically mailed to you.
If you find an outdated detail or broken link in this guide, please contact our website editor. Applications, appointment changes, eligibility questions, payments, corrections, and official records requests should go directly to RR/CC or the responsible agency.