• Priest
• Minister
• Rabbi
• Commissioners of Civil Marriages
• Judges
• A Legislator or Consitutional 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 $50.00 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.

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.

In Sonoma County, a person may be appointed as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day by meeting one or more of the following requirements:

• Either the bride or groom resides in Sonoma County and they purchase a public marriage license from Sonoma County (the marriage ceremony may take place anywhere in California)
  
  
• Either the bride or groom resides in Sonoma County and they purchase a confidential marriage license from Sonoma County (the marriage ceremony must take place in Sonoma County)
  
  
• The marriage license is purchased in Sonoma County and the marriage ceremony will take place in Sonoma County

Prior to the marriage ceremony, 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, $120. 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.

• More information:

  Between the hours of 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday through Friday you can obtain a marriage license 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.

• General Requirements:

  - No blood tests are required in California
  
  - Bride and groom must appear together
  
  - Authentic photo identification as to name and date of birth is required
  
  - If divorce final within past 90 days, must bring copy of final judgment
  
  - License good for 90 days
  
  - If you wish, you may download an application to apply for a confidential marriage license
  
  - If you wish, you may download an application to apply for a public marriage license

• Confidential marriage license - $90:

  - Parties must be living together as husband and wife
  
  - 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 husband or wife only with valid photo identification and a $13 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. Husband or wife may also order a certified copy on-line at http://www.vitalchek.com and following their on-line instructions for obtaining a certified copy of confidential marriage license.
  
  - Only existence of marriage may be verified to anyone else by County Clerk upon payment of $13.00 research fee. Any other information requested would require a court order to release it to parties other than bride/groom.

• General Regular (public) marriage license - $75:

  - 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 $13 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) 565-2645

 

If you need further information regarding civil marriages, you may call the County Clerk's Office at 707-565-3800 or visit our office Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM.

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