Marriage License Information……
To be married in California you MUST obtain a marriage license prior to the marriage ceremony. If either party is under the age of eighteen, a license cannot be issued without the consent of a parent and a court order. To obtain a general (non-confidential) license the bride and groom (both over 18 years of age) must appear in person and provide information including parents full names and places of birth.
If there was a prior marriage, the date when the previous marriage ended is required. If the last marriage ended less than 90 days prior to the new license being requested, a copy of the document ending the marriage must be provided.
The fee for a general (non-confidential) license is $70.00 in Napa and $73.00 in Sonoma.
For change of name and legal documentation…. we STRONGLY SUGGEST you get a certified copy of your marriage license.
BE SURE you fill out the form for a certified copy while you are at the County Recorder’s office.
The fee for a certified copy of your marriage license is $14 in Napa and $16 in Sonoma.
When securing your marriage license at the Napa or Sonoma County Recorder’s Office, they will give you a sheet explaining clearly how to fill out the license. They give you this to give to the person officiating your service.
Even while doing this, there are many licenses filled out by friends or family deputized for the day to do your wedding, which are filled out incorrectly. This causes lots of confusion when the licenses go in for recordation.
That is why, even though we are prejudice in doing so, we recommend you have a professional officiant do your wedding so this will not be a problem. We have ministers, rabbis, priests, and a civil officiant at Wedding Ministries and on our Website, NapaValleyWeddings.Com who WILL fill out your license CORRECTLY.
A regular license is good for 90 days. There is NO waiting period.
The ceremony can be performed anywhere in the State of California.
The Napa and Sonoma County Recorder’s Offices issues marriage licenses between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Friday except for holidays.
Napa County Clerk/Recorder’s Office
1127 First Street (between Main and Coombs)
Napa, CA 94559
Phone: (707) 253-4246
Sonoma County Clerk’s Office • La Plaza West Building
2300 County Center Drive, Suite B-177
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 565-3800
General Requirements
• No blood tests are required in California
• Bride and groom must appear together
• Valid picture identification required
• If divorce final within past 90 days, must bring copy of final judgment
• License good for 90 days
Your Marriage Service may be performed anywhere in California
One witness is required
Confidential Marriage License – $72 in Napa $100 in Sonoma
• Parties must have been living together (the law does not specify a minimum duration of time living together)
• Both parties must be at least 18
• Marriage MUST be performed in County in which license is obtained
• No witnesses required
• The marriage is confidential and only available to the husband and wife
A marriage license is only a permit to get married and you are NOT married until a ceremony is performed!
