Los Angeles County Marriage License

Getting Married at the "Court House"

2010-01-11T15:36:00.000-08:00

We have all seen it in the movies the couple goes down to the court house and gets married the same day. Well here in Los Angeles County that is not possible. They will never be able to marry you the same day your purchase our license. You will have to come back at a later date to get married there.

If you purchase the license and want to get married the same day you will need to come to a minister that can marry you and process your marriage license.

This is not that complicated but you really need to make sure you go to a reputable place that will send in your license quickly and not make any mistakes.
Trust your wedding to us and we will handle the rest.

Price Increase January 21, 2010

2010-01-11T15:33:00.000-08:00

Price Increase January 21, 2010:
The Los Angeles County Recorders office is set to increase the price for marriage licenses on January 21, 2010.

Get married now before the price for marriage licenses increases.

Certified Copies are now $14 each. We pay for the first copy in all of our packages. The couple may purchase more at the time of the wedding or in person after the license is recorded.

When you purchase a Marriage license only it does not include any copies in our price. You will have to order them when you are married. Copies are $14 each.

St. Patrick's Day Wedding 3/17/2010

2010-01-11T15:26:00.000-08:00

Wedding Special
Wednesday March 17, 2010 Packages start at $200
Free 8x10 Wedding Photo
Get married in our chapel or your location on this special day.
Time slots are filling up fast so book your wedding ASAP.
We will stay open late to accommodate all the couples wanting to get married. If you bring your own license we can marry you too. If you have purchased your license we can marry you also just deduct $50 from the fees above. We issue marriage licenses too if you have not purchased one yet.

We will give each couple one free 8x10 wedding print. We photograph the ceremony and formals of the couple. Each couple will be given one 8x10 print from the wedding in our chapel.

This offer can not be transfered to another day and is only valid on 3/17/2010 weddings in our chapel.

Valentine's Day Wedding 2/14/2010

2010-01-11T15:24:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day Wedding Special
Sunday 2/14/2010 Packages start at $250
Free 8x10 Wedding Photo
Get married in our chapel or your location on this special day.
Time slots are filling up fast so book your wedding ASAP.
We will stay open late to accommodate all the couples wanting to get married. If you bring your own license we can marry you too. If you have purchased your license we can marry you also just deduct $50 from the fees above. We issue marriage licenses too if you have not purchased one yet.

We will give each couple one free 8x10 wedding print. We photograph the ceremony and formals of the couple. Each couple will be given one 8x10 print from the wedding in our chapel.

This offer can not be transfered to another day and is only valid on 2/14/2010 weddings in our chapel.

New Rules for 2009.... The Name Equality Act of 2007 AB 102

2008-12-30T14:38:00.000-08:00

New Rules for 2009.... The Name Equality Act of 2007 AB 102
The Name Equality Act of 2007 AB 102Changes the Marriage License for California.Now couples will have the opportunity to indicate the new married name on the marriage license.Please check out the link to the full text on our website here:
http://www.cherishedvows.com/marriagelicenserequirements.html

The Name Equality Act of 2007 (AB 102, Chapter 567, Statutes of 2007) allows one or both applicants for a California marriage license to elect to change the middle or last names by which each party wishes to be known after solemnization of the marriage.Effective 01/01/2009, one party or both parties to a marriage may elect to change the middle or last names by which that party wishes to be known after solemnization of the marriage.

Each party applying for a marriage license may choose to include on their marriage license the new name in the spaces provided on the marriage license application without intent to defraud. Changing one’s name through this process can only be done at the time the marriage license is issued by the County Clerk or authorized Notary Public, as applicable.

Year End Wedding

2008-11-18T13:47:00.000-08:00

GET MARRIED NOW...NO WAIT WEDDINGS We issue the license and marry you in our wedding chapel.

Get married now before the end of the year. Contact us for our end of the year elopement specials. The County Recorder's office is all booked and if you already have your marriage license we give you a $50 discount off our price.

So do not wait, if you want to get married in 2008 call us now.

Same Sex Weddings in California are no longer permited

2008-11-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

Notaries that issue marriage licenses can no longer issue to same sex couples.

We are waiting for permission to issue them again. With so many lawsuits in the works it is only a matter of time before we can issue them again.

Check back for more info.

Same Sex Couples are urged to marry before Election in California

2008-09-08T11:43:00.001-07:00

We have an election here in November that could ruin the chances for same sex couples to marry. We are urging all couples to get married before November 4th or you may miss your chance to get married here in California.

Gay and Lesbian couples have flocked here to get married and it will be a shame to turn away even one couple in love after the election. We hope that everyone can get the word out to vote NO on Prop. 8 November 4th.

Protect the rights of every American to marry the person they love, regardless of the sex of their partner.

County Offices are Booked for 08/08/08

2008-08-01T17:31:00.001-07:00

If you need a license for your 08/08/08 wedding you should get it early. Do not wait until friday to get the license. Lines will be long and they will not be able to marry you on the spot.

If you find yourself with a license and no one to marry you we can help.
Call our office and ask about our 8pm special in the garden at The Wedding Center.

Obtaining a Same-Sex Wedding License in California

2008-08-01T17:30:00.000-07:00

You have several options when coming to California to get married. Not all county offices that issue licenses can marry you on the spot. Some offices do not conduct marriages so you need to find out in advance before you go to the recorder office.

Your best bet is to use a Notary Public that is authorized to issue the Los Angeles County Marriage License. We are able to issue the license and marry you on the spot.

You will need to provide a valid photo ID when you file for the license. If you have gotten a divorce within the last two years, you will also need official proof of that. California does not require a health check or blood test.

Same Sex couples should get married before November

2008-07-12T13:42:00.001-07:00

To date we have married almost 100 same sex couples since June 17th. Couples have come from all over the US to get married in California since the ban was lifted. Get married now before voters have a chance to change the constitution here in California.

The Los Angeles County recorders office has told us that all marriages performed before November will remain legal and can not be overturned. But if voters change the constitution in November then no more licenses will be issued to same sex couples.

So anyone married between June 17th and November will have legal marriages recognized by the State of California as legal and binding. New York State currently recognizes California Same Sex marriages. So if you wait you may miss your chance to be legally married here in California.

We will continue to update our blog with news as we get it from the recorders office.

Warning for Couples coming to California to get married

2008-06-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

Sunday June 22 we received a desperate call from a Texas couple here for a wedding at the Beverly Hills Hotel. It seems the "Internet Minster" they hired did not show for their wedding.
This scam seems to be directed at Gay and Lesbian couples coming here for destination weddings.

The person claimed to be able to issue the Los Angeles County Marriage license and assured the couple they would be there for the wedding that evening. Lucky for them Rev. David Nixon was available and he drove to Beverly Hills to marry this couple.

There are many people out there that claim to be ministers and able to issue the LA County Marriage License. If you are not sure you can always call the LA County Recorders office in Norwalk and confirm the identity of the person before you hire them. This couple sure wished they had done that before flying here and finding out they had been scammed.

Marriage License changed for same sex couples

2008-06-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

We will issue the new licenses on June 17th. The new license says Party A and Party B instead of bride and groom.
Call our office if you need a marriage license for your wedding. We issue the license while you wait.

No need to wait in long lines in the hot sun. Avoid the long lines and crowds by coming here to our office in Torrance.

Los Angeles County offices are expecting large crowds

2008-05-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

The LA County offices are expecting large crowds and a crush of media.
If you would like to have a private ceremony devoid of all the crowds and media give us a call.

Cherished Vows will be ready to meet the increased demand for Civil & Religious marriage ceremonies and license applications on June 16, when the recent state Supreme Court ruling overturning a same-sex marriage ban will take effect.

The county offices only perform civil ceremonies and if you would like a religious ceremony you will need to use a chapel like Cherished Vows in Torrance.

Wedding Chapel... CLICK HERE

June 17, 2008 will be the big day for same sex couples...

2008-05-22T12:39:00.001-07:00

It looks like the first day we can issue marriage licenses to same sex couples will be June 17, 2008. We are still waiting for the "Official" confirmation but the buzz is June 17th. Sign up now for the best times.

Go to our website: http://www.cherishedvows.com/gayandlesbianweddings.html and join our waiting list.

We will contact you and help you set up your wedding appointment.

Official says L.A. County will be ready for gay marriages

2008-05-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

The county clerk says ceremonies could begin June 16, the first possible day that the state Supreme Court's ruling allowing same-sex marriages could take effect.

By Jean-Paul Renaud, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer 1:27 PM PDT, May 20, 2008

Acting Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan told county supervisors today that his office would be ready to perform same-sex marriages on June 16.That is the earliest date on which the state Supreme Court's overturning of the ban on same-sex marriages could take effect.

Logan said he would extend the corps of volunteers needed to officiate at marriages, and would seek to open new offices to facilitate the ceremonies."We expect that when the decision goes into effect, that there will be an initial peak in the volume of people coming into our office," he said. "We want to be sure we're prepared for that. We want to make sure we're staffed up for that."Logan said he already has received a request from city officials in West Hollywood to have the county open a marriage-license office there.

"It's also possible that they may have somebody in their own staff" to perform the ceremonies, Logan said.Supervisors have also asked Logan to convene an advisory group with gay community leaders to get a better handle on the numbers of couples expected to seek licenses.The Sheriff's Department and the Office of Public Safety, which protects county buildings, also have been asked to provide extra security during the first few weeks the marriages are permitted.Last week, justices struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage in a broadly worded decision that would invalidate virtually any law that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation.Officials said it would be at least 30 days from the court's action before marriage licenses could be issued. But opponents could ask the court to rehear the case. Even if the court declined, such a request could delay the effective date by up to 90 days.
LA Times Story dated May 20, 2008
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lagay21-2008may21,0,6730541.story

Los Angeles County Confidential Marriage License

2008-05-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

We also issue licenses to couples that we do not marry. So even if you have your own officiant or pastor that is performing your ceremony you can purchase your license from us. Our office is private and there are no long lines like the county offices.

California lifts the ban on Gay marriage

2008-05-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO - The California Supreme Court has overturned a ban on gay marriage, paving the way for California to become the second state where gay and lesbian residents can marry.The case involved a series of lawsuits seeking to overturn a voter-approved law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.With the ruling, California could become the second state after Massachusetts where gay and lesbian residents can marry."What happens in California, either way, will have a huge impact around the nation. It will set the tone," said Geoffrey Kors, executive director of the gay rights group Equality California.California already offers same-sex couples who register as domestic partners the same legal rights and responsibilities as married spouses, including the right to divorce and to sue for child support. It's therefore unclear what additional relief state lawmakers could offer short of marriage if the court renders the existing ban unconstitutional.A coalition of religious and social conservative groups is attempting to put a measure on the November ballot that would enshrine California's current laws banning gay marriage in the state constitution.The Secretary of State is expected to rule by the end of June whether the sponsors gathered enough signature to qualify the marriage amendment, similar to ones enacted in 26 other states.The cases before the California court were brought by the city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples, Equality California and another gay rights group in March 2004 after the court halted San Francisco's month long same-sex wedding march that took place at Mayor Gavin Newsom's direction.Story from the Associated Press May 15, 2008

Valentine's Day Wedding 2009 Plan now

2008-01-07T15:18:00.000-08:00

No need to wait in long lines at the county to get married. Get married now in our beautiful chapel.

Do not miss your chance to get married on Valentine's Day 2009

Quick no wait weddings in our beautiful wedding chapel.

LA County offices are all booked...

2007-12-27T15:16:00.002-08:00

The LA County offices are all booked this Friday 12/28 for year end weddings. If you have purchased your license and would like to get married this weekend we have openings.

If you have not purchased a license, that is no problem, we can issue it while you wait.

We will be open extended hours this weekend and on Monday 12/31/07 to accommodate all the couples.

So do not delay, please call us to book your appointment.

Year End Elopement - Get married now

2007-12-27T15:16:00.001-08:00

GET MARRIED NOW...NO WAIT WEDDINGS
Get married now before the end of the year. Contact us for our end of the year elopement specials.The County Recorder's office is all booked and if you already have your marriage license we give you a $50 discount off our price.

So do not wait, if you want to get married in 2007 call us now.

Winter Wedding Destinations - California

2007-12-10T08:22:00.001-08:00

Are you planning your escape from the winter weather? Beach and Cliff weddings in the winter are very popular. How would you like to have wedding pictures of you on a beach in December or January to show your friends and family back home? Well, that is where we come in. Book your Winter Beach Wedding with us and we will make your day very special.

We take care of everything. Give us a call for more details or visit our website... http://www.instantlywed.com/

Winter Wedding Destinations - California - Instantly Wed 310.325.3930

Christmas Wedding and you need a marriage license !

2007-12-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

Last minute wedding around the holiday's? The county offices are closed and what do you do? That is where we come in. Call our office and you can get your license in less than one hour.

Los Angeles Wedding Photographer Sunset Bride also has packages for last minute weddings around the holiday's. 2 hour holiday special just mention this blog.

08/08/08 Weddings - Book Early

2007-12-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

Plan ahead to get your license. Reserve your marriage license now and you do not have to wait in line at Norwalk. Convenient evening and weekend appointments.

Well here we go again. The 07/07/07 Wedding was a phenomenal success and it looks like the 08/08/08 wedding might surpass that. That day is will be very busy for all wedding professionals. We have had many calls from brides about that date and we have several bookings already.

So plan now and get your reservations booked. We were able to marry 28 couples on 07/07/07 and we will accommodate as many or more in '08.

What ID do I need?

2007-11-26T15:47:00.000-08:00

Below are the valid forms of Identification we can accept to issue you a marriage license. You must have ID to obtain a marriage license.

State Issued Drivers License
Issued by Canada, Mexico or the United States

Passport
Any county as long as it is not Expired

Military ID & Gov't Issued

Matricular Consular Card
Yes, We can issue you a marriage license if the card is valid and not expired.
We accept this card as ID for a marriage license.
If you let the card or your passport expire you will need to get them renewed before we can issue the license.

Tarjeta Consular De Matricular
Sí, podemos publicarle una licencia de la unión si la tarjeta es válida y no expirada. Aceptamos esta tarjeta como identificación para una licencia de la unión.
Si usted deja la tarjeta o su pasaporte expirar usted necesitará conseguirlos renovados antes de que poder publicar la licencia.
Llame nuestra oficina si usted tiene cualesquiera preguntas.

Birth Certificate is not a form of identification. A Notary can not use creditable witnesses for the purpose of identification.
Any form of identification must be valid and not expired. If you have let your ID expire you will not be able to get a marriage license.
If you have any questions please give us a call.

Online Application

2007-10-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

For faster service and to set up an appointment click here to apply online.

ONLINE MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION CLICK HERE

What is a Confidential Marriage License?

2007-10-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

In California, there are two types of licenses - the regular public license which requires a witness, and the Confidential which requires no witnesses.

Originally the Confidential was designed (in 1970) so that people living together didn't have to take the dreaded blood test. Now California requires no blood test, but both kinds are still being issued.

The Confidential is the only license they allow notaries to issue - and the only kind you can obtain off site of a County Office. At a County Office you can purchase one or the other. But, they are only open weekdays, from 8:30 to 4:30 - no holidays. I am open 7 days a week by appointment. So if you get your license from us, it will be the Confidential one that requires no witnesses, and is recorded in private, so that only the bride and groom can get a copy.

Some couples dislike it because they can't send mom to get a copy for them at the Recorder's office, others don't like that fact that it states you "have been living together as husband and wife" - so I put this information here for you to choose which type of license suits you. Remember you are just as married with either license.

The fine print...Rules for obtaining a marriage license

2007-10-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

Here are the requirements to obtain a marriage license in Los Angeles County California.

MARRIAGE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS-California

The following are the requirements to be issued a Los Angeles County Confidential Marriage License by a Notary Public:
1. You must be at least 18 years of age.
2. You must possess a valid State driver's license or State issued ID card, Passport, Military ID -- with picture and signature or Matricula Consular Card from your county of origin (Mexico and most South American counties issue these in the USA) A birth certificate alone is not valid identification. These ID's must be valid, and NOT expired.
3. You must get married within the next 90 days. If you don't get married in that time period, the license will expire and you must purchase another license.
4. There is NO blood test or waiting period.
5. Ceremony must be performed in Los Angeles County. California is a "ceremonial state" which means that just getting the license does not mean you are married -- you must have a third person to perform the ceremony -- ordained clergy person, judge, retired judge or deputy commissioner of marriage.
6. Two persons of the same sex cannot be issued a license in Los Angeles County.
7. If either of you has been divorced in the last two (2) years, you must bring along a copy of your divorce papers.
8. If either of you has been widowed in the last (2) years, bring along a copy of the death certificate.
9. Minors 17 years old and younger, must contact the County Recorder's office for the rules of issuance of a license to a minor. We cannot issue.
10. If you are getting married in a county other than Los Angeles, my license is not valid. Contact the county recorder's office nearest you and apply for the license that is good throughout the state (the public license).

More reasons to get a Confidential Marriage License...

2007-10-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

♥Are you planning to get married in a foreign country like Mexico, France or Italy? Some countries have strict requirements and residency restrictions. Avoid the hassle and get married before you leave.

♥You and your spouse are the only ones that can get a copy of the recorded license. This protects your privacy and prevents anyone from obtaining a copy. So often recorded documents wind up on tabloid websites. You can avoid this by getting married with a confidential marriage license.

♥Often you do not want a former spouse to know you have remarried.

♥You are planning a church wedding but need to get married now for health insurance coverage.

♥For tax reasons, before the birth of a baby or you are purchasing a home.

♥So you can change your name on your passport before you travel on your honeymoon. Often brides would like to change their names before they travel so they have the same name as their new husband. If you are divorced you may not want the former spouses name on your passport, airline tickets etc.

♥You are planning a church wedding here or in your home country but need to start the immigration process. Get married now and with the Express mail option you will have your certified copy in 2 weeks. You will need that certified copy for your Immigration appointment.

♥You are being deployed and want to marry your sweetheart before you leave. To change your Status you will also need the Express mail option. When you receive the certified copy you present it to your commanding officer. We offer this for FREE to all active military. It is our way of saying thanks to all the Armed Forces.

Los Angeles County Confidential Marriage License

2007-10-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

We issue the Los Angeles County Confidential Marriage License. As a Notary Public and with special authorization from the Los Angeles County Recorder's office we can issue you a marriage license.

No need to drive to Norwalk and wait in long lines. Most couples will take off around 3-4 hours to complete the process. Here in our office or your location we can complete the entire process in around half an hour.

Complete private and confidential process, no one will be able to see that you have been issued a license or if you have even been married in this state.