california wedding laws - perform weddings in california - universal life church
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2/23/2014 California Wedding Laws - Perform Weddings in California - Universal Life Church
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Become a Minister Minister Store Perform a Wedding ULC Forum Marriage Laws
California Wedding Laws
How to Officiate a Wedding in California
Performing a wedding in the state of California is a simple and straightforward
process. Neither the state nor any county within it maintains a registry of clergy and
in many ways the government of California keeps a hands-off policy in regard to
marriage documents.
Wedding officiants are responsible for ensuring that the marriage is legal and that
all marriage license papers are properly filed. Otherwise, the format of the wedding
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is entirely at the discretion of the people getting married. This lackadaisical
approach to marriage legislation makes it simple for any minister ordained by the
Universal Life Church Monastery to officiate a wedding. That said, it is important that
anyone hoping to officiate a wedding keep track of the policies for your area so that
the legality of those weddings cannot be disputed.
How to Become an Ordained Minister in California
According to the California Family Code, any individual over the age of 18 who is
also an ordained member of the clergy of any recognized faith may officiate a
wedding. This includes those who are ordained ministers of the Universal Life
Church Monastery via our online ordination platform. As an ordained minister,
you are endowed with several rights and responsibilities within the state of
California not granted to the everyday layperson.
How to Perform a Wedding Ceremony in California
The two individuals getting married must, in the presence of the officiant, declare
their wish to be husband and wife. There must be at least one additional witness to
this agreement. The witness may be any age, though must also be able to
understand what he or she is witnessing. The Universal Life Church Monastery can
be a great resource for its ministers; those seeking additional guidance in how to
properly officiate a wedding ceremony might look to the three-step guide we
have made available as a tool for ministers.
Marriage Paperwork Required in California
The state of California requires a marriage license issued by the County Clerk's
office. The officiant is required to examine the license and attach a statement to it
that displays satisfaction with several facts, including:
The time and location at which the wedding took placeThe names and places of residence of all official witnessesThe religious organization in which the officiant is ordainedThe printed name and address of the officiant
This paperwork must be returned to the County Clerk within 10 days of the
ceremony. The couple getting married may request a copy of these documents if
they so choose.
For more detailed information, review California's code for yourself.
California Marriage Laws
The following is from California's FAQ page:
Where do I register to perform marriages in California? The
laws of the State of California make it unnecessary for
persons performing marriages to file credentials with the
clerk of the court or with anyone else. The county and state
are removed from any responsibility for verification of credentials. The State does
not maintain a central registry of members of the clergy. Any such concern for
verification is totally at the discretion of the parties to the marriage. (The Universal
Life Church Monastery still recommends that you check with the county clerk where
the ceremony will be held.)
What authorization do I need to perform a marriage in California? In California, it is
the ordination or investment by the denomination that gives each clergy member
the authority to perform the marriage rite. Family Code, Sections 400-402 are the
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statutes pertaining to whom can solemnize a marriage in California.
The following is from California Family Code sections:
400. Marriage may be solemnized by any of the following who is of the age of 18
years or older:
420. A priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination. No particular form for
the ceremony of marriage is required for solemnization of the marriage, but the
parties shall declare, in the presence of the person solemnizing the marriage and
necessary witnesses, that they take each other as husband and wife.
421. Before solemnizing a marriage, the person solemnizing the marriage shall
require the presentation of the marriage license. If the person solemnizing the
marriage has reason to doubt the correctness of the statement of facts in the
marriage license, the person must be satisfied as to the correctness of the
statement of facts before solemnizing the marriage. For this purpose, the person
may administer oaths and examine the parties and witnesses in the same manner
as the county clerk does before issuing the license.
422. The person solemnizing a marriage shall make, sign, and endorse upon or
attach to the marriage license a statement, in the form prescribed by the State
Department of Health Services, showing all of the following: (a) The fact, date
(month, day, year), and place (city and county) of solemnization. (b) The names and
places of residence of one or more witnesses to the ceremony. (c) The official
position of the person solemnizing the marriage, or of the denomination of which
that person is a priest, minister, rabbi, or member of the clergy. (d) The person
solemnizing the marriage shall also type or print the person's name and address.
423. The person solemnizing the marriage shall return the marriage license,
endorsed as required in Section 422, to the county recorder of the county in which
the license was issued within 10 days after the ceremony.
424. At the request of, and for, either party to a marriage, the person solemnizing
the marriage shall issue a marriage certificate showing the facts specified in Section
422.
Please note that, when filling out a marriage license, the State requests that you
use the title "Minister" or "Reverend", and not "Officiant", in Box #29D.
The County Clerks also require that you enter your denomination, "Universal Life
Church", in box #29B. Failing to state a denomination results in a rejection, and
requires a duplicated marriage license.
Gay Marriage and Same Sex Wedding Laws:
This state currently has legal same-sex marriage by Court Decision.
To perform a marriage in California you need to be
ordained and may be required to provide proof of
ordination such as an ordination credential, wallet
credential, or a letter of good standing from the
church.
California Wedding Laws by County
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Alameda County Recorder
1106 Madison Street
Room 214
Oakland, California
94607,
Phone: (510) 272-6362
Fax: (510) 208-9957
E-mail: [email protected]
Alameda County Recorder website »
Alpine County Recorder
99 Water Street
P.O. Box 217
Markleeville, California
96120,
Phone: (530) 694-2281
alternate phone: (530) 694-2286
Fmx: (530) 694-2491
Amador County Recorder
810 Court Street
Jackson, California
95642,
Phone: (209) 223-6469
alternate phone: (209) 223-6468
Fax: (209) 223-620
Amador County Recorder website »
Butte County Recorder
25 County Center Drive
Administration Bldg.
Suite 105
Oroville, California
95965,
Phone: (530) 538-7690
alternate phone: (530) 538-7691
Fax: (530) 538-7975
E-mail: [email protected]
Butte County Recorder website »
Calaveras County Recorder
891 Mountain Ranch Road
Government Center
San Andreas, California
95249,
Phone: (209) 754-6375
alternate phone: (209) 754-6372
Fax: (209) 754-6733
E-mail: [email protected]
Calaveras County Recorder website »
Colusa County Clerk
546 Jay Street
Suite 200
Colusa, California
95932,
Phone: (530) 458-0500
Fax: (530) 458-0512
Colusa County Clerk website »
Contra Costa Recorder
555 Escobar Street
Martinez, California
94553,
Phone: (925) 646-2360
alternate phone: (925) 335-7900
Contra Costa Recorder website »
Orange County Recorder
Santa Ana, California
Phone: (714) 834-2500
Del Norte County Recorder
981 H Street
Suite 160
Crescent City, California
95531,
Phone: (707) 464-7216
Fax: (707) 465-0321
El Dorado County Recorder
360 Fair Lane
Placerville, California
95667,
Phone: (530) 621-5490
Fax: (530) 621-2147
E-mail: [email protected]
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E-mail: [email protected]
Del Norte County Recorder website »
El Dorado County Recorder website »
Fresno County Recorder
2281 Tulare Street
Room 303
Fresno, California
93721,
Phone: (559) 488-2609
alternate phone: (559) 488-3476
Fax: (559) 488-6841
Fresno County Recorder website »
Glenn County Clerk
526 West Sycamore Street
Willows, California
95988,
Phone: (530) 934-6407
alternate phone: (530) 934-6412
Fax: (530) 934-6305
E-mail: [email protected]
Glenn County Clerk website »
Humboldt County Recorder
825 Fifth Street
Fifth Floor
Eureka, California
95501,
Phone: (707) 445-7593
alternate phone: (707) 445-7382
Fax: (707) 445-7430
Humboldt County Recorder website »
Imperial County Recorder
940 West Main Street
Room 206
El Centro, California
92243,
Phone: (760) 339-4427
alternate phone: (760) 482-4272
Fax: (760) 482-4271
Imperial County Recorder website »
Inyo County Recorder
168 N. Edwards Street
Independence, California
93526,
Phone: (760) 878-0410
alternate phone: (760) 878-0222
Inyo County Recorder website »
Kern County Clerk
1655 Chester Avenue
Bakersfield, California
93301,
Phone: (805) 868-3588
alternate phone: (661) 868-6449
E-mail: [email protected]
Kern County Clerk website »
Kings County Clerk
1400 West Lacey Boulevard
Hanford, California
93230,
Phone: (559) 582-3211 ext. 2470
Kings County Clerk website »
Lake County Clerk
255 North Forbes Street
Lakeport, California
95453,
Phone: (707) 263-2293
Fmx: (707) 263-3703
E-mail: [email protected]
Lake County Clerk website »
Lassen County Recorder Los Angeles County Clerk
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220 S. Lassen Street
Suite 5
Susanville, California
96130,
Phone: (530) 251-8217
alternate phone: (530) 251-8234
Fax: (530) 257-3480
E-mail: [email protected]
Lassen County Recorder website »
12400 East Imperial Highway
Room 1002
Norwalk, California
90650,
Phone: (562) 462-2137
Los Angeles County Clerk website »
Madera County Clerk
200 West 4th Street
Madera, California
93637,
Phone: (209) 675-7724
E-mail: countyclerkinfo@madera-
county.com
Madera County Clerk website »
Marin County Recorder
3501 Civic Center Drive
Room 232
San Rafael, California
94903,
Phone: (415) 499-6092
Fax: (415) 499-7893
E-mail: [email protected]
Marin County Recorder website »
Mariposa County Recorder
4982 Tenth Street
Mariposa, California
95338,
Phone: (209) 966-2007
alternate phone: (209) 966-5719
Mariposa County Recorder website »
Mendocino County Clerk
501 Low Gap Road
No.1020
Ukiah, California
95482,
Phone: (707) 463-4370
alternate phone: (707) 463-4376
Fmx: (707) 463-4257
Mendocino County Clerk website »
Merced County Recorder
2222 M Street
Merced, California
95340,
Phone: (209) 385-7501
alternate phone: (209) 385-7627
Fmx: (209) 385-7626
Merced County Recorder website »
Modoc County Clerk
204 South Court Street
Room 107
Alturas, California
96101,
Phone: (530) 233-2512
alternate phone: (530) 233-6205
Fax: (530) 233-6666
Mono County Recorder
74 North School St.
P.O. Box 237
Annex 1
Bridgeport, California
93517,
Phone: (760) 932-5241
alternate phone: (760) 932-5535
Monterey County Recorder
168 West Alisal Street
First Floor
Salinas, California
93901,
Phone: (831) 647-7906
alternate phone: (831) 755-5041
Fmx: (831) 755-5064
E-mail: [email protected]
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Fmx: (760) 932-5531
Mono County Recorder website »
Monterey County Recorder website »
Napa County Clerk
900 Coombs Street
P.O. Box 29
Room 116
Napa, California
94559,
Phone: (707) 253-4246
Fmx: (707) 259-8149
Napa County Clerk website »
Nevada County Clerk
950 Maidu Avenue
Nevada City, California
95959,
Phone: (530) 265-1221
Fax: (530) 265-9842
Nevada County Clerk website »
Placer County Clerk
2954 Richardson Drive
Auburn, California
95603,
Phone: (530) 889-7948
alternate phone: (530) 886-5600
E-mail: [email protected]
Placer County Clerk website »
Plumas County Recorder
520 Main Street
Room 102
Quincy, California
95971,
Phone: (530) 283-6305
alternate phone: (530) 283-6218
Fmx: (530) 283-6155
E-mail:
Plumas County Recorder website »
Riverside County Clerk
2724 Gateway Drive
Riverside, California
92507,
Phone: (909) 486-7000
Riverside County Clerk website »
Sacramento County Clerk
600 Eighth Street
Sacramento, California
95814,
Phone: (916) 874-5522
alternate phone: (916) 874-6334
E-mail: [email protected]/
Sacramento County Clerk website »
San Benito County Clerk
440 Fifth Street
Room 206
Hollister, California
95023,
Phone: (831) 636-4029
Fax: (831) 636-2939
San Benito County Clerk website »
San Bernadino Recorder
222 West Hospitality Lane
First Floor
San Bernadino, California
92415,
Phone: (909) 387-8314
alternate phone: (909) 386-9095
San Bernadino Recorder website »
San Diego County Clerk
1600 Pacific Highway
Room 260
San Francisco County Clerk
101 Grove Street
Room 105
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San Diego, California
92101,
Phone: (619) 237-0502
San Diego County Clerk website »
San Francisco, California
94102,
Phone: (415) 554-4176
alternate phone: (415) 701-2311
San Francisco County Clerk website »
San Joaquin Clerk
44 N. San Joaquin Street
Suite 260
Stockton, California
95202,
Phone: (209) 468-2362
alternate phone: (209) 468-8075
Fax: (209) 468-2901
San Joaquin Clerk website »
San Luis Obispo County Clerk
1055 Monterey Street
D120
San Luis Obispo, California
93408,
Phone: (805) 781-5088
alternate phone: (805) 781-5080
Fmx: (805 781-1111
E-mail: [email protected]
San Luis Obispo County Clerk website »
San Mateo County Clerk
555 County Center
1st Floor
Redwood City, California
94063,
Phone: (650) 363-4711
alternate phone: (650) 363-4500
Fmx: (650) 363-1903
E-mail:
San Mateo County Clerk website »
Santa Barbara County Clerk
1100 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, California
93101,
Phone: (805) 568-2250
Fax: (805) 568-2266
Santa Barbara County Clerk website »
Santa Clara County Recorder
70 West Hedding Street
San Jose, California
95110,
Phone: (408) 299-2481
alternate phone: (408) 299-5669
Fmx: (408) 280-1768
Santa Clara County Recorder website »
Santa Cruz County Recorder
701 Ocean Street
Room 230
Santa Cruz, California
95060,
Phone: (831) 454-2800
alternate phone: (831) 454-3222
Fmx: (831) 454-3169
Santa Cruz County Recorder website »
Shasta County Clerk
1450 Court Street
Suite 208
Redding, California
96001,
Phone: (530) 225-5378
alternate phone: (530) 225-5678
Fmx: (530) 225-5152
Shasta County Clerk website »
Sierra County Recorder
P.O. Drawer D
Downieville, California
95936,
Phone: (530) 289-3295
Fmx: (530) 289-2830
E-mail: [email protected]
Sierra County Recorder website »
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Siskiyou County Clerk
311 Fourth Street
Room 108
Ureka, California
96098,
Phone: (530) 842-8065
alternate phone: (530) 842-8066
Fax: (530) 842-8077
E-mail: [email protected]
Siskiyou County Clerk website »
Solano County Recorder
675 Texas Street
Suite 2700
Fairfield, California
94533,
Phone: (707) 421-6319
alternate phone: (707) 784-6294
Fax: (707) 784-9002
Solano County Recorder website »
Sonoma County Clerk
2300 County Center Drive
Suite B-177
Santa Rosa, California
95403,
Phone: (707) 527-3800
alternate phone: (707) 565-2645
Fmx: (707) 565-3957
Sonoma County Clerk website »
Stanislaus County Clerk
1021 I Street
Suite 101
Modesto, California
95354,
Phone: (209) 525-5265
alternate phone: (209) 525-5251
Fmx: (209) 525-5804
Stanislaus County Clerk website »
Sutter County Recorder
433 Second Street
Yuba City, California
95991,
Phone: (530) 822-7120
alternate phone: (530) 822-7134
Fmx: (530) 822-7214
Sutter County Recorder website »
Tehama County Recorder
633 Washington Street
Room 11
Red Bluff, California
96080,
Phone: (916) 527-3350
Fmx: (530) 527-1745
Tehama County Recorder website »
Trinity County Recorder
11 Court Street
Weaverville, California
96093,
Phone: (916) 623-1222
alternate phone: (530) 623-1215
Fmx: (530) 623-8398
E-mail: [email protected]
Trinity County Recorder website »
Tulare County Recorder
221 S. Mooney Blvd.
Room 103
Visalia, California
93291,
Phone: (559) 733-6518
alternate phone: (559) 636-5050
Fax: (559) 740-4329
Tulare County Recorder website »
Tuolumne County Clerk
2 South Green Street
Sonora, California
95370,
Ventura County Recorder
800 South Victoria Avenue
LN 1260
Ventura, California
93009,
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Phone: (209) 533-5570
alternate phone: (209) 533-5531
Fax: (209) 533-6543
Tuolumne County Clerk website »
Phone: (805) 654-2263
alternate phone: (805) 654-3666
Fax: (805) 654-2295
E-mail: [email protected]
Ventura County Recorder website »
Yolo County Clerk
625 Court Street
Room B01
Woodland, California
95695,
Phone: (530) 666-8130
Fmx: (530) 666-8109
E-mail: [email protected]
Yolo County Clerk website »
Yuba County Clerk
915 Eighth Street
Suite 107
Marysville, California
95901,
Phone: (530) 741-6341
alternate phone: (530) 749-7851
Fmx: (530) 749-7854
Yuba County Clerk website »
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