Office of The County Clerk

Requirements For a Marriage License

Where can I go to get married?

San Francisco County Clerk
City Hall, Suite 168
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102-4678
Phone: (415) 554-4950

The Name Equality Act of 2007(Effective January 1, 2009)

The Name Equality Act of 2007 (PDF) gives specific rights to parties at the time they are applying for a California marriage license to choose and list on the marriage license the new name that each party will go by after marriage.

The new law pertains to marriage licenses issued on or after January 1, 2009. It does not apply to marriage licenses issued prior to January 1, 2009.

It is unlawful for our employees to answer questions of a legal nature. County Clerk staff cannot advise you how to complete the marriage license application as it relates to your entry of a new name or retention of your former name on the marriage license application. For your protection, if you have any questions regarding whether you should or should not list your new name on the marriage license application, and/or how the Name Equality Act of 2007 may affect you, please contact local, state, federal and private agencies to verify their requirements or consult an attorney prior to applying for your marriage license.

Additional Information:

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/CorrectingorAmendingVitalRecords.aspx

Marriage License Update 10/07/2008

In response to the news article dated October 6, 2008 by the Sacramento Bee “State will change marriage licenses to say 'bride' and 'groom'

California Department of Public Health (www.cdph.ca.gov ) policy prohibits the registration of marriage licenses containing erasures, white-outs, or alterations.

Same Sex Marriage News Updates

Frequently Asked Questions

Processing hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

General information about marriage in the State of California:

California residency and US citizenship are not requirements for marriage in California
Only two unmarried persons over the age of 18 years of age may apply for a marriage license in California. Anyone under 18 must obtain a court order through the Juvenile Court system.
Marriage by proxy is not allowed in California

What is the difference between a Public and a Confidential marriage license?
Public: The ceremony may take place anywhere in the State of California, at least one witness must be present at the ceremony, and the marriage record is made available to the public. Click here for more details about Public Marriage.

Confidential: Parties to the marriage must be living together, ceremony must take place in the County where the marriage license was issued, no witnesses are required, and the marriage record is only available to the named parties on the document. Click here for more details about Confidential Marriage.

Civil ceremonies at City Hall
Civil ceremonies are performed by a Deputy Marriage Commissioner Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (except legal holidays) by prepaid confirmed reservation only. Reservation may be made and paid for through our online reservation system. It is highly recommended that you check for reservation availability of your preferred ceremony date and time prior to making your marriage license reservation in the event you want both reservations scheduled on the same day.

Requirements for a Public Marriage License

Marriage License	By prepaid confirmed marriage license reservation only. Reservations are available Monday-Friday beginning 8:15 a.m. and every half hour between 8:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. Reservations may be scheduled and paid for through the online reservation system, or in person at our office Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Issuance Time	Marriage license is issued within 30 minutes of checking in for your marriage license reservation appointment.
Age Requirement	Both parties must be at least age18. Person(s) under age 18 with written consent of at least one parent (or legal guardian) and written permission from a San Francisco Juvenile Court Judge may marry.
Blood Test	Not required.
Attendance	Both parties must be present to file the application for and be issued a marriage license.
Legal Photo I.D.	Both parties must present valid authentic legal photo identification card. (Examples: passport, driver's license, naturalization form, resident alien cards, military I.D. which must contain full legal name and date of birth. If the legal picture I.D. card does not contain your full legal name you must also present a certified copy of birth certificate or social security card, showing your full legal name. *Note: Identity documents in a foreign language must be translated into English by a Court certified translator or American Translators Association (ATA) certified translator.*
Previous Marriages or State Registered Domestic Partnerships	You will need to know the exact date your last marriage or State Registered Domestic Partnership (SRDP) ended. If your last marriage/SRDP ended within 90 days of your marriage license reservation date, a certified copy of divorce, annulment, termination, or death record must be presented at the time of your appointment. *Note: A “Filed” or “Endorsed” copy (usually issued by your attorney) will not be accepted.* *Documents in a foreign language must be translated into English by a Court certified translator or American Translators Association (ATA) certified translator.*
Validity	Public marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from issuance date for a ceremony anywhere in the State of California. A marriage license is only a permit to get married and you are not married until a ceremony is performed by an authorized person.
License Fee	$93.00^* - collected at the time of scheduling. Cash, money order, or debit card only in person (price subject to change). Visa/Mastercard online only. (*plus $5.00 convenience fee)

Requirements for a Confidential Marriage License

Marriage License	By prepaid confirmed marriage license reservation only. Reservations are available Monday-Friday beginning 8:15 a.m. and every half hour between 8:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. Reservations may be scheduled and paid for through the online reservation system, or in person at our office Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Issuance Time	Marriage license is issued within 30 minutes of checking in for your marriage license reservation appointment.
Age Requirement	Minimum age 18. Minors cannot apply for a confidential marriage license. Applicants for a confidential marriage license must be living together and attest to the fact on the marriage license. The law does not specify a minimum duration of time living together. Documented proof is not required.
Blood Test	Not required.
Attendance	Both parties must be present to file the application for and be issued a marriage license.
Legal Photo I.D	Both parties must present valid authentic legal photo identification card. (Examples: passport, driver's license, naturalization form, resident alien cards, military I.D. which must contain full legal name and date of birth. If the legal picture I.D. card does not contain your full legal name you must also present a certified copy of birth certificate or social security card, showing your full legal name. *Note: Identity documents in a foreign language must be translated into English by a Court certified translator or American Translators Association (ATA) certified translator.*
Previously Married?	You will need to know the exact date your last marriage or State Registered Domestic Partnership (SRDP) ended. If your last marriage/SRDP ended within 90 days of your marriage license reservation date, a certified copy of divorce, annulment, termination, or death record must be presented at the time of your appointment. *Note: A “Filed” or “Endorsed” copy (usually issued by your attorney) will not be accepted.* *Documents in a foreign language must be translated into English by a Court certified translator or American Translators Association (ATA) certified translator.*
Validity	Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from issuance date for a ceremony only in the County of San Francisco. A marriage license is only a permit to get married and you are not married until a ceremony is performed by an authorized person.
License Fee	$93.00^* - collected at the time of scheduling. Cash, money order, or debit card only in person (price subject to change). Visa/Mastercard online only. (*plus $5.00 convenience fee)

Persons authorized to solemnize (perform) marriage ceremonies in California:

Any judge or retired judge of this State; Commissioner of Civil Marriages or retired Commissioner of Civil Marriages; Commissioner or retired Assistant Commissioner of a Court of Record or Justice Court in this state; any judge or magistrate of the U.S.or any priest, minister or rabbi of any religious denomination of the age of 18 or over. A marriage may also be solemnized by a judge or magistrate of the U.S. who has resigned from office. A legislator or constitutional officer of this state or a member of congress who represents a district within this state, while that person holds office.

Marriage Ceremony: Fees, witnesses, hours, and other details

Marriage Ceremony

By prepaid confirmed ceremony reservation only.

Ceremony reservations are available every half hour between 10:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

You may schedule and pay for a reservation through the online reservation system, or in person at our office Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

You must have a valid California marriage license prior to your ceremony.

Please note: A certified copy of your marriage record will NOT be available for purchase ($13) until 2 weeks after your ceremony. Same day and expedited services for certified copies are NOT available. Please plan accordingly.

Ceremony Fee

Ceremony fee is $70.00* collected at the time of scheduling. Cash, money order, or debit card only in person (price subject to change). Visa/Mastercard online only.

(*plus $5.00 convenience fee)

Witnesses

One witness is required to be present during your ceremony on a public marriage license.

No witness is required during the ceremony on a confidential marriage license.

Up to 6 guests total may attend the ceremony (guests include photographer, children, videographer, etc.). .

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., City Hall #168 SF CA 94102-4678 - Map Directions