A. Other than the Legal requirements there are no rules. Your wedding can be as traditional or as non-traditional as you like. With me, almost anything goes.
Q. Do we need Pre- Marital Counseling?
A. NO! Any Officiant who requires you to undergo Counseling is just trying to make an extra buck off of you.
If you think you need Counseling contact a licensed therapist.
Here is your free Counseling...
1. Do you love your partner? If the answer is yes, proceed to the next question.
2. Does your partner love you? If the answer is yes,
Your Counseling is completed.
Congratulations! You may now get married.
Q. How soon can I get the License?
A. To be legally married in California, you must obtain a marriage license from the clerk registrar’s office in any county in California within 90 days of your marriage date and it may be used in any county in California. Except for confidential licenses which must be used in the county issued.
Q. Can you provide us with a license?
A. Yes. I am authorized to issue Confidential Marriage Licenses in Los Angeles County. The ceremony must take place in LA County.
Q. Can you issue me a marriage license if my ceremony is in a different County, State or Country?
A. No and Yes. If you are getting married outside of LA County you can obtain the license directly from that County, State or Country OR I can issue you a marriage license do an I do ceremony in my office and then you can have your ceremony anywhere in the world.
Q. Can I apply online?
A. You can either apply on line to have me issue you an LA County confidential license or directly with the county. In Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura Counties, they have online applications. After applying online, both of you must appear in person before me if I am issuing it or at the county office to pick up the license and must present valid picture identification.
Q. How do I get copies of the license?
A. Most counties include a request for copies form along with the license ***fill this out before the ceremony*** and include a check for copies. I will send it in with the license. The copies are $13 each and I recommend getting at least 2 copies. Once the license is recorded you will be sent the copies you requested
Q. How long does it take to get our copies?
A. Los Angeles County can take from 4 to 6 weeks other counties usually are 3 to 4 weeks.
Q. What is the difference between a Public and a confidential marriage license?
A. A public license is a matter of public record and can be viewed by anyone. This is the most popular. A confidential license is only available to couples over the age of 18 who have been living together for at least one year. Confidential Marriage Licenses create a private record of marriage that is only accessible by either party in the marriage or by court order. You can only get married in the county in which the license was issued. I issue LA County Confidential marriage licenses.
Q. Who needs to sign the license?
A. Your Officiant (hopefully me) and at least one but can be two witnesses for a public license. Only the Officiants signature is required for a confidential license
Q. Do we need blood tests?
A. No. They are not required in California
Q. Who sends the license in after it is signed?
A. Traditionally it is the Officiants job to return the license to the County.
Q. What if I was divorced or widowed in the past what do I need to bring?
A. If either party has been married before, you must present a copy of the divorce decree or death certificate if the dissolution occurred less than two years ago. If the previous marriage was dissolved more than that, you must know the date of dissolution.
Q. I live out of state or another country can I get married in California
A. Yes! You do not need to be a California resident or a US citizen to marry in California.
Q. Is their a waiting period to get your license
A. No, you will receive your license immediately.
Q. What is the minimum age a man or woman may marry?
A. You must be 18 years old or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.
Q. Who can marry us?
A. ME ME ME
Q. How Do I change My Name
A. See the information below. Remember first go to Social Security then the DMV
As with any legal decision please consult an attorney to understand all the implications that marriage presents
How to change your name after you get Married
You must get a certified copy of your marriage from the county.
Then FIRST go to the Social Security office THEN to the DMV.
Social Security
If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce,
court order or any other reason, tell Social Security so that you can get a corrected card. If you are working, also tell your employer.
If you do not tell us when your name changes, it may:
- Delay your tax refund; and
- Prevent your wages from being posted correctly to
your Social Security record, which may lower the amount of your future Social Security benefits.
To change your name on your Social
Security card:
- Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5);
- Show us proof of your:
- Legal name change; and
- Identity.
- Take (or mail) your completed
application and documents to your local Social Security office.
All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the
issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.
Documents for a name change: If you need to change
your name on your Social Security card, you must show us a recently issued document as proof of your legal name change. Documents
Social Security may accept to prove a legal name change include:
- Marriage document;
- Divorce decree;
- Certificate of Naturalization showing
a new name; or
- Court order for a name change.
If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough
information to identify you in our records or if you legally changed your name more than two years ago, you must provide Social Security
with additional documentation.
Marriage, divorce or annulment: In addition to showing us a legal document proving your marriage, divorce
or annulment, you must provide an identity document. That document must show your old name, as well as other identifying information
or a recent photograph. (We can accept an expired document as evidence of your old name.)
DMV
How to change your name on
your driver license and/or identification (ID) card
To apply for a name change you will need to:
· Visit
a DMV office (make an appointment for faster service)
· Complete
application form DL 44 with your new information. (An original DL 44 form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.)
· Give a thumb print
· Have
your picture taken
· Pay
the application fee (No fee for a senior citizen ID card)
Acceptable evidence of your new name may be provided by showing an original
or certified copy of a Birth Date/Legal Presence document or a true full name document.
Please contact the Social Security Administration
(SSA) to change your name on SSA records, if you have not already done so. DMV electronically verifies your name, birth date and social
security number with the SSA.
If your information does not verify, you will not receive your new
You will be issued an interim license valid for 60 days and/or a receipt for
your ID card until you receive your new photo license and/or photo ID card in the mail. Check your address before you leave DMV and
tell the DMV representative if your address is incorrect. Your new license and/or ID card will be mailed to you within 60 days. If
you do not receive your license and/or ID card after 60 days, call 1 (800) 777-0133 to check on the status. Have your interim license
and/or ID card receipt with you to provide information when requested.
Note: A name change on your driver license or identification
card will not change your vehicle registration information.
To change or correct your name on your vehicle/vessel's DMV record you
must:
· Submit
your Certificate of Title with your correct name printed or typed in the "New Registered Owner" section.
· Complete
the Name Statement on a Statements of Facts (REG 256) indicating the reason for the change and sign the bottom of the form.
Traditional ~ Contemporary ~ Simple ~ Civil ~ Themed Weddings
Marriage Licenses issued