Orange County Weddings: What You Need To Know

are weddings allowed in orange county

Yes, weddings are allowed in Orange County, California. To get married in Orange County, couples must first obtain a marriage license from the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department. This can be done through a walk-in service or by appointment, but couples must complete an online marriage application before visiting any offices. There are no citizenship or residency requirements, and no blood tests are required to obtain a marriage license. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and present valid government-issued photo identification. Once the marriage license is obtained, couples can have their wedding ceremony at one of the designated locations in Orange County, including the North County Branch Office in Anaheim, the South County Branch Office in the Laguna Hills Civic Center, and the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana. There are restrictions on the number of guests allowed, with some sources stating a maximum of 10 guests and others stating a maximum of 20 guests.

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Marriage licenses are available through walk-in or appointment

Marriage licenses in Orange County are available through walk-in or appointment services. However, couples must complete an online marriage application before visiting any of the Orange County offices. Appointments are highly recommended and can be scheduled online. Both individuals must be at least 18 years old and present valid government-issued photo identification at their appointment. Accepted forms of identification include a driver's license, passport, or identification issued by a government agency. If either spouse was previously married and divorced within the last 90 days, a copy of the divorce decree must be provided. Similarly, if a spouse's previous partner is deceased within the last 90 days, a certified copy of the death certificate is required.

Couples must select the names they wish to use after marriage, as listed on the marriage license. While couples are not required to change their names, they must make this decision at the time of signing the marriage license. There are no citizenship or residency requirements, and no blood tests are necessary to obtain a marriage license. A marriage license in Orange County is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.

For couples seeking a confidential marriage license, additional requirements apply. The couple must be living together before the marriage, and this type of license can be used anywhere in the State of California. A confidential marriage license becomes a confidential record, accessible only to the couple unless a special court order is issued.

Regarding the marriage ceremony, civil non-sectarian wedding ceremonies are available at various locations within Orange County, including the North County Branch Office in Anaheim, the South County Branch Office in the Laguna Hills Civic Center, and the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana. The Laguna Hills Civic Center offers both indoor and outdoor locations for ceremonies, depending on the weather and time of day. The Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana can accommodate up to 10 guests, while the maximum number of guests allowed at the other venues is 20.

For those who wish to have a marriage ceremony performed, it is essential to purchase a marriage license beforehand. Additionally, both individuals must be able to read, speak, and understand English. If this requirement cannot be met, the couple must bring a witness who can also serve as a translator. The department does not provide translation services. The marriage license must be signed by at least one witness who is present on the day of the ceremony.

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No citizenship or residency requirements

Weddings are allowed in Orange County, and there are no citizenship or residency requirements for obtaining a marriage license. Blood tests are also not required. However, there are several other requirements and procedures that must be followed. Firstly, applicants must be at least 18 years old and must appear together in person. Both individuals must be able to read, speak, and understand English. If not, the couple must bring a witness who can also act as a translator.

Couples must complete their marriage application online prior to visiting any of the Orange County offices. They must also present valid government-issued photo identification at their appointment. The marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, and there are no refunds for expired licenses or changes in plans.

For a public marriage license, a maximum of 20 guests are allowed to attend the wedding ceremony, and one witness must be present on the day of the ceremony. For a confidential marriage license, only the couple can be present, and no guests are allowed.

The OC Clerk Recorder Department offers civil non-sectarian wedding ceremonies at several locations, including the North County Branch Office in Anaheim, the South County Branch Office in the Laguna Hills Civic Center, and the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana. The fee for the ceremony is $28, and a marriage license must be purchased beforehand.

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Confidential marriage licenses are available

To apply for a marriage license in Orange County, couples must complete an online marriage application and then visit the Office of the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department in person. Both individuals must present valid, non-expired government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport. If either party has been divorced within the last 90 days, a copy of the divorce decree must be provided. If a spouse has deceased within the last 90 days, a certified copy of the death certificate is required. Couples must also select the names they wish to use after marriage, which will be listed on the marriage license.

There are no citizenship or residency requirements, and no blood tests are required to obtain a marriage license in Orange County. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. A marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. The department offers both walk-in services and appointments, with the latter being highly recommended.

For couples who obtain a confidential marriage license, a maximum of 20 guests are allowed to attend the wedding ceremony. The couple must also provide at least one witness to sign the public marriage license on the day of the ceremony.

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Civil ceremonies are available at multiple locations

To obtain a marriage license, couples must complete an online application and appear together in person at one of the offices. Both individuals must present valid, non-expired government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport. If either party has been divorced or widowed within the last 90 days, they must provide a copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. Couples must also select the names they wish to use after marriage, though they are not required to change their names. Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, and there are no citizenship or residency requirements.

For couples obtaining a public marriage license, a maximum of 20 guests are allowed to attend the wedding ceremony. The couple must also provide one witness to sign the public marriage license on the day of the ceremony. The department does not provide translation services, so if either party cannot read, speak, or understand English, they must bring a witness who can also serve as a translator.

The OC Clerk Recorder Department also offers a FREE Live Streaming Ceremony service at their North County Branch office in Anaheim.

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Requirements for a valid marriage license

Marriages are allowed in Orange County, but there are certain requirements that must be met to obtain a valid marriage license. Here are the key requirements:

First, it is important to note that marriage licenses are available through both walk-in services and appointments. However, couples must complete an online marriage application before visiting any offices. Additionally, there are no citizenship or residency requirements, and no blood tests are needed.

Photo Identification:

Each individual must present one form of valid, non-expired, government-issued photo identification. Acceptable forms include a driver's license or passport.

Divorce or Widowhood:

If either individual has been divorced within the last 90 days, a copy of the divorce decree must be provided. Similarly, if a spouse was deceased within the previous 90 days, a certified copy of the death certificate is required.

Name Change:

The couple must decide on the names they wish to use after marriage and have them listed on the marriage license. Name changes are not mandatory, but if a couple chooses to change their names, it must be done at the time of signing the marriage license. After the license is signed, only a court order can change the names.

Witnesses:

For a public marriage license, at least one witness is required to be present during the marriage ceremony. The couple must arrange for their own witness, as the department will not provide one. If either party to the marriage cannot read, speak, or understand English, they must bring a witness who can also serve as a translator.

Confidential Marriage License:

A confidential marriage license is an option for couples who wish to keep their marriage records confidential. Only the couple can obtain information about the license, except by special court order. To obtain this type of license, the couple must be living together before the marriage, and it can be used anywhere in the State of California.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, weddings are allowed in Orange County.

Civil marriage ceremonies can be performed at the North County Branch Office in Anaheim, the South County Branch Office in the Laguna Hills Civic Center, and the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana.

For public marriage licenses, a maximum of 20 guests are allowed to attend a wedding ceremony. For confidential marriage licenses, the same limit of 20 guests applies.

Marriage licenses are available through walk-in services or by appointment. Couples must complete an online marriage application and present valid government-issued photo identification at their appointment.

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