CaliforniaWedding Laws
What to expect when officiating a wedding.
Get Ordained
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Document Submission: After Ceremony
- Minister ID Issued: No
Ministers must be 18+ to officiate in California. No residency, belief, or gender restrictions. No statewide registration is required, but County Clerks may request documentation after the ceremony. Ministries of Love recommends keeping official credentials on hand to avoid delays.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
All participants (couple, officiant, witness) must be physically present. Witnesses need no age minimum but must sign and understand their role. Exceptions for Armed Forces require legal steps.
Essential ceremony elements:
- Couple consents (“I do”).
- Minister pronounces them married.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In-Person Only
- Validity: Any County in California
- Cost: Varies by County
- Accepted ID: Photo ID (birth certificate or affidavits may be required in some cases)
- Proof of Divorce: Varies
- Blood Test: Not Required
Couples must pick up their license at the County Clerk’s office. Licenses are valid statewide, and fees vary. Divorce decrees may be requested.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: None
- License Validity: 90 Days
- Submission Deadline: 10 Days After Ceremony
Couples must obtain a “religious” license for Ministries of Love ceremonies. The license can be used immediately and must be returned within 10 days of the wedding.
Requirements for the Couple
- Witness Age: Not Applicable
- Consent: Required
- Pronouncement: Required
Couples must be 18+ to marry, though minors with parental consent and a court order may qualify. No residency is required, and same-sex marriages are legal.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
Ensure the license is completed correctly. Use “Minister” as the title, list “Ministries of Love” as the ordaining body, and avoid errors to prevent delays or fees. Maintain records of all ceremonies performed.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Document Submission: After Ceremony
- Minister ID Issued: No
Ministers must be 18+ to officiate in California. No residency, belief, or gender restrictions. No statewide registration is required, but County Clerks may request documentation after the ceremony. Ministries of Love recommends keeping official credentials on hand to avoid delays.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
All participants (couple, officiant, witness) must be physically present. Witnesses need no age minimum but must sign and understand their role. Exceptions for Armed Forces require legal steps.
Essential ceremony elements:
- Couple consents (“I do”).
- Minister pronounces them married.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In-Person Only
- Validity: Any County in California
- Cost: Varies by County
- Accepted ID: Photo ID (birth certificate or affidavits may be required in some cases)
- Proof of Divorce: Varies
- Blood Test: Not Required
Couples must pick up their license at the County Clerk’s office. Licenses are valid statewide, and fees vary. Divorce decrees may be requested.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: None
- License Validity: 90 Days
- Submission Deadline: 10 Days After Ceremony
Couples must obtain a “religious” license for Ministries of Love ceremonies. The license can be used immediately and must be returned within 10 days of the wedding.
Requirements for the Couple
- Witness Age: Not Applicable
- Consent: Required
- Pronouncement: Required
Couples must be 18+ to marry, though minors with parental consent and a court order may qualify. No residency is required, and same-sex marriages are legal.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
Ensure the license is completed correctly. Use “Minister” as the title, list “Ministries of Love” as the ordaining body, and avoid errors to prevent delays or fees. Maintain records of all ceremonies performed.