2/23/2014 California Wedding Laws - Perform Weddings in California - Universal Life Church

Minister Login Get Ordained

Become a Minister Minister Store Perform a Wedding ULC Forum Marriage Laws

Get Ordained « Wedding Laws

Become a Minister Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

Bahamas

California

C olorado

C onnecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Guam

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky
California Wedding Laws Louisiana

Maine
How to Officiate a Wedding in California Maryland

Performing a wedding in the state of California is a simple and straightforward Massachusetts

process. Neither the state nor any county within it maintains a registry of clergy and Michigan
in many ways the government of California keeps a hands-off policy in regard to
Minnesota
marriage documents.
Mississippi
Wedding officiants are responsible for ensuring that the marriage is legal and that
Missouri
all marriage license papers are properly filed. Otherwise, the format of the wedding

http://www.themonastery.org/wedding-laws/california-marriage-law 1/10
2/23/2014 California Wedding Laws - Perform Weddings in California - Universal Life Church

is entirely at the discretion of the people getting married. This lackadaisical Montana
approach to marriage legislation makes it simple for any minister ordained by the
Nebraska
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 Nevada

the legality of those weddings cannot be disputed. New Hampshire

New Jersey
How to Become an Ordained Minister in California
New Mexico
According to the California Family Code, any individual over the age of 18 who is
New York
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 North C arolina
Church Monastery via our online ordination platform. As an ordained minister, North Dakota
you are endowed with several rights and responsibilities within the state of
Ohio
California not granted to the everyday layperson.
Oklahoma
How to Perform a Wedding Ceremony in California
Oregon
The two individuals getting married must, in the presence of the officiant, declare Pennsylvania
their wish to be husband and wife. There must be at least one additional witness to
Puerto Rico
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 Rhode Island
be a great resource for its ministers; those seeking additional guidance in how to South C arolina
properly officiate a wedding ceremony might look to the three-step guide we
South Dakota
have made available as a tool for ministers.
Tennessee
Marriage Paperwork Required in California Texas

The state of California requires a marriage license issued by the County Clerk's Utah
office. The officiant is required to examine the license and attach a statement to it
Vermont
that displays satisfaction with several facts, including:
Virginia
The time and location at which the wedding took place
The names and places of residence of all official witnesses Washington
The religious organization in which the officiant is ordained Washington DC
The printed name and address of the officiant
West Virginia
This paperwork must be returned to the County Clerk within 10 days of the
Wisconsin
ceremony. The couple getting married may request a copy of these documents if
they so choose. Wyoming

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
http://www.themonastery.org/wedding-laws/california-marriage-law 2/10
2/23/2014 California Wedding Laws - Perform Weddings in California - Universal Life Church

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

http://www.themonastery.org/wedding-laws/california-marriage-law 3/10
2/23/2014 California Wedding Laws - Perform Weddings in California - Universal Life Church

Alameda County Recorder Alpine County Recorder

1106 Madison Street 99 Water Street

Room 214 P.O. Box 217
Oakland, C alifornia Markleeville, C alifornia
94607, 96120,

Phone: (510) 272-6362 Phone: (530) 694-2281

Fax: (510) 208-9957 alternate phone: (530) 694-2286
E-mail: Vitalrec@acgov.org Fmx: (530) 694-2491
Alameda C ounty Recorder website »

Amador County Recorder Butte County Recorder

810 C ourt Street 25 C ounty C enter Drive

Jackson, C alifornia Administration Bldg.
95642, Suite 105
Phone: (209) 223-6469 Oroville, C alifornia
alternate phone: (209) 223-6468 95965,
Fax: (209) 223-620
Amador C ounty Recorder website » Phone: (530) 538-7690
alternate phone: (530) 538-7691
Fax: (530) 538-7975
E-mail: clerk@buttecounty.net
Butte C ounty Recorder website »

Calaveras County Recorder Colusa County Clerk

891 Mountain Ranch Road 546 Jay Street

Government C enter Suite 200
San Andreas, C alifornia C olusa, C alifornia
95249, 95932,
Phone: (209) 754-6375
alternate phone: (209) 754-6372 Phone: (530) 458-0500
Fax: (209) 754-6733 Fax: (530) 458-0512
E-mail: lorr@co.calaveras.ca.us C olusa C ounty C lerk website »
C alaveras C ounty Recorder website »

Contra Costa Recorder Orange County Recorder

555 Escobar Street Santa Ana, C alifornia

Martinez, C alifornia
94553, Phone: (714) 834-2500

Phone: (925) 646-2360

alternate phone: (925) 335-7900
C ontra C osta Recorder website »

Del Norte County Recorder El Dorado County Recorder

981 H Street 360 Fair Lane

Suite 160 Placerville, C alifornia
C rescent C ity, C alifornia 95667,
95531, Phone: (530) 621-5490
Phone: (707) 464-7216 Fax: (530) 621-2147
Fax: (707) 465-0321 E-mail: recorderclerk@co.el-dorado.ca.us
http://www.themonastery.org/wedding-laws/california-marriage-law 4/10
2/23/2014 California Wedding Laws - Perform Weddings in California - Universal Life Church
E-mail: clerkrecorder@co.del-norte.ca.us El Dorado C ounty Recorder website »
Del Norte C ounty Recorder website »

Fresno County Recorder Glenn County Clerk

2281 Tulare Street 526 West Sycamore Street

Room 303 Willows, C alifornia
Fresno, C alifornia 95988,
93721,
Phone: (559) 488-2609 Phone: (530) 934-6407
alternate phone: (559) 488-3476 alternate phone: (530) 934-6412
Fax: (559) 488-6841 Fax: (530) 934-6305
Fresno C ounty Recorder website » E-mail: gcboard@glenncounty.net
Glenn C ounty C lerk website »

Humboldt County Recorder Imperial County Recorder

825 Fifth Street 940 West Main Street

Fifth Floor Room 206
Eureka, C alifornia El C entro, C alifornia
95501, 92243,
Phone: (760) 339-4427
Phone: (707) 445-7593 alternate phone: (760) 482-4272
alternate phone: (707) 445-7382 Fax: (760) 482-4271
Fax: (707) 445-7430 Imperial C ounty Recorder website »
Humboldt C ounty Recorder website »

Inyo County Recorder Kern County Clerk

168 N. Edwards Street 1655 C hester Avenue

Independence, C alifornia Bakersfield, C alifornia
93526, 93301,

Phone: (760) 878-0410 Phone: (805) 868-3588

alternate phone: (760) 878-0222 alternate phone: (661) 868-6449
Inyo C ounty Recorder website » E-mail: kcrecorder@co.kern.ca.us
Kern C ounty C lerk website »

Kings County Clerk Lake County Clerk

1400 West Lacey Boulevard 255 North Forbes Street

Hanford, C alifornia Lakeport, C alifornia
93230, 95453,

Phone: (559) 582-3211 ext. 2470 Phone: (707) 263-2293

Kings C ounty C lerk website » Fmx: (707) 263-3703
E-mail: Recorder@co.lake.ca.us
Lake C ounty C lerk website »

Lassen County Recorder Los Angeles County Clerk

http://www.themonastery.org/wedding-laws/california-marriage-law 5/10
2/23/2014 California Wedding Laws - Perform Weddings in California - Universal Life Church
220 S. Lassen Street 12400 East Imperial Highway
Suite 5 Room 1002
Susanville, C alifornia Norwalk, C alifornia
96130, 90650,

Phone: (530) 251-8217 Phone: (562) 462-2137

alternate phone: (530) 251-8234 Los Angeles C ounty C lerk website »
Fax: (530) 257-3480
E-mail: lcclerk@co.lassen.ca.us
Lassen C ounty Recorder website »

Madera County Clerk Marin County Recorder

200 West 4th Street 3501 C ivic C enter Drive

Madera, C alifornia Room 232
93637, San Rafael, C alifornia
Phone: (209) 675-7724 94903,
E-mail: countyclerkinfo@madera- Phone: (415) 499-6092
county.com Fax: (415) 499-7893
Madera C ounty C lerk website » E-mail: recorder@co.marin.ca.us
Marin C ounty Recorder website »

Mariposa County Recorder Mendocino County Clerk

4982 Tenth Street 501 Low Gap Road

Mariposa, C alifornia No.1020
95338, Ukiah, C alifornia
Phone: (209) 966-2007 95482,
alternate phone: (209) 966-5719 Phone: (707) 463-4370
Mariposa C ounty Recorder website » alternate phone: (707) 463-4376
Fmx: (707) 463-4257
Mendocino C ounty C lerk website »

Merced County Recorder Modoc County Clerk

2222 M Street 204 South C ourt Street

Merced, C alifornia Room 107
95340, Alturas, C alifornia
Phone: (209) 385-7501 96101,
alternate phone: (209) 385-7627 Phone: (530) 233-2512
Fmx: (209) 385-7626 alternate phone: (530) 233-6205
Merced C ounty Recorder website » Fax: (530) 233-6666

Mono County Recorder Monterey County Recorder

74 North School St. 168 West Alisal Street

P.O. Box 237 First Floor
Annex 1 Salinas, C alifornia
Bridgeport, C alifornia 93901,
93517, Phone: (831) 647-7906
alternate phone: (831) 755-5041
Phone: (760) 932-5241 Fmx: (831) 755-5064
alternate phone: (760) 932-5535 E-mail: recorderclerk@co.monterey.ca.us

http://www.themonastery.org/wedding-laws/california-marriage-law 6/10
2/23/2014 California Wedding Laws - Perform Weddings in California - Universal Life Church
Fmx: (760) 932-5531 Monterey C ounty Recorder website »
Mono C ounty Recorder website »

Napa County Clerk Nevada County Clerk

900 C oombs Street 950 Maidu Avenue

P.O. Box 29 Nevada C ity, C alifornia
Room 116 95959,
Napa, C alifornia Phone: (530) 265-1221
94559, Fax: (530) 265-9842
Nevada C ounty C lerk website »
Phone: (707) 253-4246
Fmx: (707) 259-8149
Napa C ounty C lerk website »

Placer County Clerk Plumas County Recorder

2954 Richardson Drive 520 Main Street

Auburn, C alifornia Room 102
95603, Quincy, C alifornia
95971,
Phone: (530) 889-7948
alternate phone: (530) 886-5600 Phone: (530) 283-6305
E-mail: clerk@placer.ca.gov alternate phone: (530) 283-6218
Placer C ounty C lerk website » Fmx: (530) 283-6155
E-mail:
clerkrecorder@countyofplumas.com
Plumas C ounty Recorder website »

Riverside County Clerk Sacramento County Clerk

2724 Gateway Drive 600 Eighth Street

Riverside, C alifornia Sacramento, C alifornia
92507, 95814,

Phone: (909) 486-7000 Phone: (916) 874-5522

Riverside C ounty C lerk website » alternate phone: (916) 874-6334
E-mail: sacrec@saccounty.net/
Sacramento C ounty C lerk website »

San Benito County Clerk San Bernadino Recorder

440 Fifth Street 222 West Hospitality Lane

Room 206 First Floor
Hollister, C alifornia San Bernadino, C alifornia
95023, 92415,

Phone: (831) 636-4029 Phone: (909) 387-8314

Fax: (831) 636-2939 alternate phone: (909) 386-9095
San Benito C ounty C lerk website » San Bernadino Recorder website »

San Diego County Clerk San Francisco County Clerk

1600 Pacific Highway 101 Grove Street

Room 260 Room 105
http://www.themonastery.org/wedding-laws/california-marriage-law 7/10
2/23/2014
San Diego, C alifornia
92101,
Phone: (619) 237-0502
San Diego C ounty C lerk website »
San Joaquin Clerk
44 N. San Joaquin Street
Suite 260
Stockton, C alifornia
95202,
Phone: (209) 468-2362
alternate phone: (209) 468-8075
Fax: (209) 468-2901
San Joaquin C lerk website »
San Mateo County Clerk
555 C ounty C enter
1st Floor
Redwood C ity, C alifornia
94063,
Phone: (650) 363-4711
alternate phone: (650) 363-4500
Fmx: (650) 363-1903
E-mail:
countyclerk@care.co.sanmateo.ca.us
San Mateo C ounty C lerk website »
Santa Clara County Recorder
70 West Hedding Street
San Jose, C alifornia
95110,
Phone: (408) 299-2481
alternate phone: (408) 299-5669
Fmx: (408) 280-1768
Santa C lara C ounty Recorder website »
Shasta County Clerk
1450 C ourt Street
Suite 208
Redding, C alifornia
96001,
Phone: (530) 225-5378
alternate phone: (530) 225-5678
Fmx: (530) 225-5152
Shasta C ounty C lerk website »
http://www.themonastery.org/wedding-laws/california-marriage-law
California Wedding Laws - Perform Weddings in California - Universal Life Church
San Francisco, C alifornia
94102,
Phone: (415) 554-4176
alternate phone: (415) 701-2311
San Francisco C ounty C lerk website »
San Luis Obispo County Clerk
1055 Monterey Street
D120
San Luis Obispo, C alifornia
93408,
Phone: (805) 781-5088
alternate phone: (805) 781-5080
Fmx: (805 781-1111
E-mail: dgraton@co.slo.ca.us
San Luis Obispo C ounty C lerk website »
Santa Barbara County Clerk
1100 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, C alifornia
93101,
Phone: (805) 568-2250
Fax: (805) 568-2266
Santa Barbara C ounty C lerk website »
Santa Cruz County Recorder
701 Ocean Street
Room 230
Santa C ruz, C alifornia
95060,
Phone: (831) 454-2800
alternate phone: (831) 454-3222
Fmx: (831) 454-3169
Santa C ruz C ounty Recorder website »
Sierra County Recorder
P.O. Drawer D
Downieville, C alifornia
95936,
Phone: (530) 289-3295
Fmx: (530) 289-2830
E-mail: clerk-recorder@sierracounty.ws
Sierra C ounty Recorder website »
8/10
2/23/2014 California Wedding Laws - Perform Weddings in California - Universal Life Church

Siskiyou County Clerk Solano County Recorder

311 Fourth Street 675 Texas Street

Room 108 Suite 2700
Ureka, C alifornia Fairfield, C alifornia
96098, 94533,

Phone: (530) 842-8065 Phone: (707) 421-6319

alternate phone: (530) 842-8066 alternate phone: (707) 784-6294
Fax: (530) 842-8077 Fax: (707) 784-9002
E-mail: cbaker@co.siskiyou.ca.us Solano C ounty Recorder website »
Siskiyou C ounty C lerk website »

Sonoma County Clerk Stanislaus County Clerk

2300 C ounty C enter Drive 1021 I Street

Suite B-177 Suite 101
Santa Rosa, C alifornia Modesto, C alifornia
95403, 95354,
Phone: (209) 525-5265
Phone: (707) 527-3800 alternate phone: (209) 525-5251
alternate phone: (707) 565-2645 Fmx: (209) 525-5804
Fmx: (707) 565-3957 Stanislaus C ounty C lerk website »
Sonoma C ounty C lerk website »

Sutter County Recorder Tehama County Recorder

433 Second Street 633 Washington Street

Yuba C ity, C alifornia Room 11
95991, Red Bluff, C alifornia
Phone: (530) 822-7120 96080,
alternate phone: (530) 822-7134
Fmx: (530) 822-7214 Phone: (916) 527-3350
Sutter C ounty Recorder website » Fmx: (530) 527-1745
Tehama C ounty Recorder website »

Trinity County Recorder Tulare County Recorder

11 C ourt Street 221 S. Mooney Blvd.

Weaverville, C alifornia Room 103
96093, Visalia, C alifornia
93291,
Phone: (916) 623-1222 Phone: (559) 733-6518
alternate phone: (530) 623-1215 alternate phone: (559) 636-5050
Fmx: (530) 623-8398 Fax: (559) 740-4329
E-mail: recorder@trinitycounty.org Tulare C ounty Recorder website »
Trinity C ounty Recorder website »

Tuolumne County Clerk Ventura County Recorder

2 South Green Street 800 South Victoria Avenue

Sonora, C alifornia LN 1260
95370, Ventura, C alifornia
93009,

http://www.themonastery.org/wedding-laws/california-marriage-law 9/10
2/23/2014
Phone: (209) 533-5570
alternate phone: (209) 533-5531
Fax: (209) 533-6543
Tuolumne C ounty C lerk website »
California Wedding Laws - Perform Weddings in California - Universal Life Church
Phone: (805) 654-2263
alternate phone: (805) 654-3666
Fax: (805) 654-2295
E-mail: county.recorder@ventura.org
Ventura C ounty Recorder website »

Yolo County Clerk Yuba County Clerk

625 C ourt Street 915 Eighth Street

Room B01 Suite 107
Woodland, C alifornia Marysville, C alifornia
95695, 95901,
Phone: (530) 741-6341
Phone: (530) 666-8130 alternate phone: (530) 749-7851
Fmx: (530) 666-8109 Fmx: (530) 749-7854
E-mail: cntyclrk@yolorecorder.org Yuba C ounty C lerk website »
Yolo C ounty C lerk website »

© Copyright 2014 Universal Life Church Ministry. All Rights Reserved

Questions or Issues? C ontact Us

http://www.themonastery.org/wedding-laws/california-marriage-law 10/10