Marriage License

We provide a marriage license and officiate your marriage the same day!

Our notaries are specially authorized by the LA County Registrar-Recorder's Office to issue marriage licenses to the general public. They provide you with the same official marriage license that you would obtain directly from a state agency, commonly known as "City Hall."

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CALIFORNIA CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE LICENSE:

Who Qualifies:

Any couple who is at least 18 years old and can confirm that they live together is eligible to obtain a California Confidential Marriage License. There are no residency requirements for California or the United States. Both parties must be physically present to obtain the marriage license—no online or phone services are available, with no exceptions.

Identification Required:

To obtain a marriage license, both parties must present one valid government-issued photo ID, such as a passport, driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, consular ID, or green card. The ID must be current and not expired. If either party has been previously married and the marriage ended within the last 2 years, a copy of the divorce decree or annulment papers is required. If either party is widowed and the spouse passed away within the last 2 years, a copy of the death certificate is required.

Wedding Locations in California:

Although the marriage license is issued by the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, your wedding ceremony can take place anywhere in California. You are no longer restricted to Los Angeles County for your ceremony.
Follow this link to download Confidential Marriage License Application

Out-of-County and Out-of-State Residents:


Even if you are a resident of a different state or county, once you obtain your marriage license through our services or use us for your wedding, your marriage will be recorded in Los Angeles County.


Important Notice:


Documentary evidence confirming whether or not the parties have been living together is not required or demanded. However, both parties must acknowledge that, under penalty of perjury, they are stating they have been living together as husband and wife (or as partners).


Cost:


The fee for a Confidential Marriage License in Los Angeles County is $85. In addition, you will need to order at least one certified copy of your marriage license and certificate on your wedding day. Certified copies are necessary for federal and state purposes, such as immigration matters, military benefits, and post-marriage name changes. The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office will mail you a certified copy of your marriage certificate within 6 to 8 weeks. Each additional certified copy costs $19.


Convenience:


One major benefit of obtaining a Confidential Marriage License in Los Angeles County is the ability to receive an immediately signed and notarized duplicate of your marriage license from a specialized notary (often a notary authorized to officiate weddings). This certificate serves as temporary proof of your marriage. The entire process is simple, fast, and typically takes about an hour of your time. Unlike a public marriage license, which can only be issued by the County of Los Angeles and does not offer same-day services, a confidential marriage license provides added convenience.


Privacy Protection:


A Confidential Marriage License ensures that all personal information on the marriage license is protected from public view. Once the marriage is officially recorded, this information will only be accessible to the married couple, benefiting those who wish to keep their details private and avoid public records.


Legalities:


A Confidential Marriage License is legally valid and can be issued either by the County Clerk’s office or by a specially authorized notary from Los Angeles County. There are only six County Clerk’s offices in Los Angeles, which operate during regular business hours. For many couples, it’s often more convenient to skip the trip to one of these offices, as both parties must appear together to obtain a marriage license. A specially authorized notary can issue your marriage license at any time during the week.


Requirements:


A couple must declare to the notary or Los Angeles County Clerk’s office that they have been living together as husband and wife or partners— not as roommates. There is no specific duration requirement for how long the couple has lived together, and the notary has no means of verifying this information.



Required Documents for a Confidential Marriage License
The State of California requires both parties to be physically present when applying for a marriage license. Each party must present one of the following valid forms of identification:

Driver's License (from any state or country)
State-issued ID card (from any state)
U.S. Passport or Passport Card
Passport (from any country)
Military ID
Consular Identification Card (Matricula Consular ID)
Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) Card (also known as a "Green Card")
All identification documents must be valid; expired documents will not be accepted. Please note, marriage licenses cannot be issued to minors under any circumstances.

If Either Party Was Previously Married:

If either you or your partner has been previously married and the marriage ended within the last 2 years, a copy of the final divorce decree or annulment documents is required. If the divorce decree is not in English, it must be accompanied by a certified English translation. (We offer translation services for most languages—please contact us for more details.)