How To Get Married In Los Angeles
Dude, you’ve decided to tie the knot in the land of sunshine, movie stars, and traffic that will test the patience of a saint! Getting married in Los Angeles is a major flex, but you can't just rock up to the beach with a couple of friends and shout "I do!"—unless you want your marriage to be as legit as a three-dollar bill. This guide is your no-sweat, hilarious blueprint to making it official. Let’s get this wedding party started!
Step 1: Secure the Golden Ticket (The License)
First things first: you need a California Marriage License. Think of it as your backstage pass to the married life concert. Without this, your whole "happily ever after" thing is just a really nice day out.
1.1. Figure Out Who You Are (ID Check!)
Both of you need to show up to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) office. Yes, both of you. No sending your bestie or your cat as a stand-in.
Bring your valid photo ID. We’re talking driver’s license, passport, or an alien resident card. They need to see a photo and proof you're over 18. If you’re under 18, it's a whole different level of paperwork, so let’s assume you’re grown-ups for now.
No blood test? No problem! California is chill. You don't need a blood test or a health certificate. They just want to make sure you’re not already married to someone else—that would be awkward!
1.2. Choose Your License Vibe
In LA, you get two main flavors of license:
QuickTip: A careful read saves time later.
Public License: This is the most common. It’s a public record, meaning anyone can go look it up (like that super-sleuth aunt who checks everything). You need one witness at your ceremony. The current fee is around $91—a steal for forever!
Confidential License: This one’s super-secret (not really, but it's not a public record). You must already be living together as a couple. The fee is slightly less, about $85, and you don't need a witness at the ceremony. Slick, right?
1.3. The Application Mission
You can start the application online to save time, but you still have to go in person to the RR/CC office to show your IDs, finish up, and pay the fee.
Hot Tip: Check the RR/CC website for locations and hours. The Norwalk office is the main hub, but there are others. Don’t get stuck in LA traffic only to find the office closed!
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| How To Get Married In Los Angeles |
Step 2: Lock Down the Location and Officiant
You have the license—you're 90 days away from it expiring, so don’t wait around! Now, where's the main event going down, and who’s the person with the power to say the magic words?
2.1. The "I Do" Setting (Location, Location, LA!)
LA has every backdrop imaginable. Pick the one that fits your vibe:
QuickTip: Read with curiosity — ask ‘why’ often.
The Classic Courthouse: The RR/CC offices offer a Civil Ceremony for an extra fee (around $25). It’s quick, easy, and you’re married! It’s the fast-food version of a wedding, but in a good way.
Beachy Keen: Want the ocean breeze and sand between your toes? A beach wedding is epic, but check if you need a permit! You don't want the park ranger crashing your vows.
Hollywood Glam: Maybe a swanky hotel ballroom or an old-school movie studio lot? Just prepare your bank account for that Hollywood price tag—it ain't cheap, fam.
Quirky Cool: Think art galleries, a rustic ranch in Malibu, or even a rooftop with a view of the crazy LA skyline. Get creative!
2.2. Find Your 'Officiant MVP'
This is the person who legally pronounces you a married couple. They have to be authorized in California.
The Government Guy/Gal: A Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages (usually at the RR/CC office). Simple, official, done.
Religious Ruler: A minister, priest, or rabbi of any religious denomination.
Your Cool Friend: Anyone can get ordained online (like through the Universal Life Church) and become an officiant! This is a major glow-up for your friend's resume and makes the ceremony super personal and funny. Make sure they do it right, though—it has to be legit!
Step 3: The Big Finale (The Ceremony and Filing)
This is it! Time to shine brighter than the Hollywood sign on a clear day.
3.1. The Ceremony Showdown
This is your moment. Say your vows, exchange rings, and try not to trip over your own feet.
Tip: Focus on one point at a time.
Remember the Witness (if needed): If you got a Public License, you need at least one witness (18+) to sign the paper. A confidential license is just you, your love, and the officiant. Phew!
Signatures are Key: Your officiant, you, your partner, and the witness (if applicable) all have to sign the license. Don't mess this up! Use a pen that won't smear. This paper is more important than your phone.
3.2. Mailing it Back: Don’t Ghost the Government!
The absolute final, non-negotiable step: your officiant must return the signed marriage license to the RR/CC within 10 days of the ceremony.
Seriously, double-check this. If they forget, you're not legally married, and you'll have to track down that officiant—who might be on a permanent vacation thanks to the money you paid them!
Once the RR/CC records it, boom! You’re officially on the books and can order a certified copy of your Marriage Certificate (which is different from the license) for all your name-changing, legal-stuff needs. It takes a few weeks to process, so be patient, you newly-married human!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to find a cheap Los Angeles wedding venue? Look into public parks (with a permit), botanical gardens during off-peak hours, or simply rent a cool Airbnb/house for a small, backyard-style wedding to save major cash.
How to make my Los Angeles wedding ceremony funny? Have your officiant tell funny, short anecdotes about you two, use a funny reading (like a poem from a silly movie), or include a silly prop during the ring exchange.
How to get a marriage license same-day in Los Angeles? Both parties must appear in person at a RR/CC office, complete the application, and pay the fee. California has no waiting period, so you can often get married the same day, but check office hours for same-day cut-offs.
Tip: A slow skim is better than a rushed read.
How to get married in Los Angeles if I am not a U.S. citizen? There is no residency or citizenship status requirement to get a California marriage license; you just need valid photo ID to prove your age.
How to change my name after getting married in Los Angeles? You use the certified copy of your Marriage Certificate (which you order after the ceremony is filed) to change your name with the Social Security Administration, DMV, banks, etc.
How to get a certified copy of my Los Angeles Marriage Certificate? You can request and pay for a certified copy from the Los Angeles County RR/CC after the original license has been recorded (usually a few weeks after the ceremony).
How to get my friend ordained to officiate my wedding in Los Angeles? Your friend can easily get ordained online through various non-denominational ministries (like Universal Life Church). Just make sure they follow the steps to make it legal.
How to know if my marriage license has expired? A California marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you don't get married within that window, it expires, and you have to buy a new one.
How to skip the witness for my wedding? You must apply for a Confidential Marriage License and be living together as a couple. This type of license does not require a witness signature.
How to ensure my wedding license is filed correctly? The officiant is responsible for returning the signed license within 10 days, but you should politely confirm they have done this and keep a copy of the signed license for your records.
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