Performing Civil Marriage Ceremonies

Overview

In California, persons authorized to perform marriages include:

Priest
Minister
Rabbi
Commissioners of Civil Marriages
Judges
A Legislator or Constitutional Officer of this state or a member of Congress who represents a district within this state while that person holds an office

Ships' captains do not have authority to solemnize California marriages unless they fall into one of the categories above. Out-of-state or out-of-country priest, minister, or clergy persons may perform marriages in California.

Marriage commissioners are available at the Sonoma County Clerk's Office to perform civil ceremonies in English or Spanish Monday through Friday, by appointment only. Civil ceremonies at the County Clerk's Office are $56.00 each. If you are getting married at the County Clerk's Office using the regular marriage license, you must bring at least one witness with you to your ceremony.

Weather permitting, civil ceremonies may be performed outside if the couple desires, or in a room at the County Clerk's Office. You may bring guests to your ceremony if you would like.

You must schedule an appointment for a civil ceremony at least 24 hours in advance. To schedule a ceremony, please contact the County Clerk's Office at (707) 565-3800.

Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day Program

Do you have a friend or family member whom you would like to have perform your marriage ceremony? If so, we may be able to assist you.

Pursuant to section 401(a) and (b) of the California Family Code, the County Clerk, who is designated as the Commissioner of Civil Marriages for Sonoma County, may at her discretion appoint Deputy Marriage Commissioners to perform civil marriage ceremonies.

Prior to the marriage ceremony, the parties must purchase a marriage license, and the following conditions must be met by the person requesting an appointment as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day:

He or she must be at least 18 years of age
He or she must mail or FAX a written request to be appointed as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day to:

Sonoma County Clerk's Office
2300 County Center Drive, Suite B-177
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

FAX: (707) 565-3957

The person requesting the appointment must personally appear on the date shown in the application for appointment and provide valid photo identification, $133 fee payable by cash or check, attend a training class, and be sworn in as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day. The training class is about 45 minutes, at which time you will receive instructions on California's requirements for performing a marriage ceremony.

Please Note! Appointments are limited and book up quickly. In order to be assured an appointment time, you MUST submit your application for an appointment AT LEAST two days prior to the ceremony.

If you meet the requirements stated above or have any questions concerning the Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day program, please contact our office at (707) 565-3800. To download a PDF edition of the Application for Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day, please visit our Forms section.

Details

More information:

You can obtain a marriage license between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the

Sonoma County Clerk's Office • La Plaza West Building
2300 County Center Drive Suite B-177
Santa Rosa, California 95403

Phone: (707) 565-3800

You may access recorded information by telephone at (707) 565-3700. If you have additional questions, please call us at (707) 565-3800 or visit our offices.

Attention, please note the following important information

General Requirements:

PARTIES MUST PHYSICALLY APPEAR TOGETHER IN PERSON AT THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE TO BE ISSUED A MARRIAGE LICENSE.

NEW LAW PERTAINING TO NAME(S) ON MARRIAGE LICENSES EFFECTIVE 01/01/09.
Read more...What you should know about the NAME EQUALITY ACT OF 2007

No blood tests are required in California
Parties to the marriage must appear together
Authentic photo identification as to name and date of birth is required
If divorce or terminated State Registered Domestic Partnership (SRDP) is final within past 90 days, must bring copy of final judgment
License good for 90 days

We prefer that you complete your marriage license application online, but remember that both parties must appear in person in the Office of the County Clerk for the license to be issued

Confidential marriage license - $100:

Parties must be living together as spouses
Both parties must be at least 18
Marriage must be performed in County in which license is obtained
No witnesses required
License is confidential

License filed in County Clerk's Office: copies may be obtained personally by either party to the marriage only with valid photo identification and a $16 fee for a certified copy; mailed copies require either a notarized written request by either party or submission of form given to parties at time of issuance of license. Parties to the marriage may also order a certified copy online at http://www.vitalchek.com and following their online instructions for obtaining a certified copy of confidential marriage license.

The Sonoma County Clerk's Office does not accept credit cards or online orders; however, for your convenience, you can process online requests through an independent company that we have partnered with to provide you this service; VitalChek Network, Inc. VitalChek can be reached through its website, www.vitalchek.com. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service, and all major credit cards are accepted, including American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or Visa®.

Only existence of marriage may be verified to anyone else by County Clerk upon payment of $16.00 research fee. Any other information requested would require a court order.

General Regular (public) marriage license - $83:

Marriage can be performed anywhere in California
One witness is required
Minors can obtain a license but require parental consent and Superior Court approval prior to the County Clerk issuing the marriage license. Contact Superior Court Family Law Division at (707) 521-6500 for instructions on applying for approval.
License is public
License is recorded at County Clerk's Office of county issuing license; in Sonoma County, certified copies are $16 and can be obtained from:
Sonoma County Clerk's Office • La Plaza West Building
2300 County Center Drive Suite B-177
Santa Rosa, California 95403

Phone: (707) 565-3800

Important Notice:

The staff of the Clerk-Recorder-Assessor's Office are forbidden by California legal codes to practice law or provide legal advice; this prohibition includes giving advice about what forms you might need or how you should fill them out.

If you would like more information, please call our 24 hour information line at (707) 565-3700, or
you may call our office phone at (707) 565-3800 during regular business hours, or
visit our office Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We are always interested in receiving your feedback and/or questions.

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Santa Rosa, California

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