What are the legal requirements to get married?

In California, the legal requirements to get married are the same for everyone. At least one of the partners must be 18 years old or older. If either partner is under 18, they must obtain written permission from a parent or guardian and have it notarized. Both partners must obtain a marriage license from a California county clerk’s office. This license is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued. There is usually a waiting period of one to two days from the date the license is issued. Both partners must be present at the time the license is issued. Identification is also required, and blood tests are no longer necessary. There is a fee for the license that varies from county to county and must be paid before the license is issued. Once the marriage license has been issued, the couple must find an officiant to perform the marriage ceremony. This person must be an authorized officiant such as a priest, minister, rabbi, or judge. They must sign the marriage license and return it to the county clerk’s office. After the ceremony, the marriage license is sent to the county clerk to be filed and a marriage certificate is issued. This certificate is the legal proof that a marriage has taken place.

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