Who Can Perform Weddings In California?

In California, there are several ways to perform a wedding ceremony. The person conducting the ceremony must be an ordained minister, a civil marriage commissioner, or a deputy for a day.

To become an ordained minister, one can either complete a program at a seminary or get ordained online. The State of California does not require ministers to register with the local government. However, it is recommended to have a copy of the minister license in case verification is needed.

To become a civil marriage commissioner, one must be appointed as a deputy marriage commissioner by the Commissioner of Civil Marriages in the county. This authorization is typically valid for only one wedding ceremony and requires a fee.

Lastly, one can become a deputy for a day by contacting the county clerk and acquiring a temporary license. This option is available to anyone over 18 years old who can speak fluent English and is willing to take an oath to support and defend the US and California Constitutions.

Who can legally marry a couple in California?

In California, a marriage ceremony must be performed by an authorized person defined in CA Family Code Section 400. This includes a civil marriage commissioner, minister, priest, or rabbi of any religious denomination. United States acting or retired judges or magistrates and any legislator or constitutional officer representing a district of California are also authorized to perform weddings.

In addition, some local elected officials can perform marriage ceremonies. For example, in San Bernardino County, the County Clerk is designated as a commissioner of civil marriages and may appoint Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages/Commissioner of the Day who may solemnize marriages.

If you would like a friend or family member to officiate your wedding, this is possible under specific circumstances. In California, an individual can be deputized for a day under the "deputy for a day" program. This allows any adult who applies and pays a small fee to officiate a civil wedding for one specific couple on a particular day. However, this authorization is limited to that one event.

Most states, including California, also recognize officiants ordained online by religious groups. Interfaith and nondenominational organizations, such as the Universal Life Church or American Fellowship Church, offer online ordination services, often with minimal paperwork. While some require a fee, others may offer ordination for free. However, it is important to note that a few states do not recognize marriages officiated by ministers ordained online, so it is crucial to check with the county clerk where the wedding will be held.

What paperwork is required to officiate a wedding in California?

To officiate a wedding in California, you must be ordained by a religious denomination and be at least 18 years old. California Law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office, but it is a good idea to keep personal records of your official Ministry Credentials as proof of your ordination.

On the wedding day, the officiant has two main duties: to conduct the wedding ceremony and to complete the marriage license. The marriage license must be filled out in the presence of the couple and any required witnesses. The completed license must then be signed by the couple, the officiant, and at least one adult witness. It must be returned to the county clerk or recorder's office from which it was issued within 10 days.

• Ask the Couple to Present their Marriage License: It is recommended to ask the couple for their marriage license before the wedding, preferably the day before, to ensure they don't forget to bring it.
• Confirm that the Marriage License is Valid: Check that it has not been more than 90 days since the license was issued, as marriage licenses in California expire 90 days after being issued.
• Complete and Sign the Marriage License: As the officiant, you are responsible for filling out your portion of the license and signing it along with the couple and one adult witness.
• Return the Marriage License to the County Clerk or Recorder: The completed license must be returned to the issuing office within 10 days of the wedding to comply with California Law.

It is important to note that marriage licenses in California may have different fields or formats depending on the issuing office. Some common fields include the officiant's title, church name, religious denomination, and ceremony type.

How much does it cost to get certified to perform a wedding in California?

In California, there are two ways to get certified to perform a wedding.

The first is to get deputized for a day, which costs $120. This service is offered by the San Francisco County Clerk on a walk-in basis from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am-11:30 am and 2:00 pm-3:30 pm. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, fluent in English, and have valid legal photo identification. You will be required to take an oath swearing to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California. The process takes approximately 30 minutes.

The second option is to get ordained online for free. California Family Code section 400(a) allows “a priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination” to solemnize a marriage. There are no licensing requirements in California, and the state does not maintain a central registry of members of the clergy. As a result, you can get ordained online through websites like Universal Life Church and American Marriage Ministries.

It is important to note that religious wording and references are not allowed during the ceremony if you choose to get deputized for the day. Additionally, the marriage license must be filled out properly and returned to the issuing county within ten days after the ceremony for the marriage to be legal.

What are the requirements to perform a wedding in California?

To perform a wedding in California, you must be an ordained minister or a civil celebrant. There are three ways to become a wedding officiant:

Complete a program at a seminary:

You must find a church that aligns with your beliefs and go through the process of becoming an ordained minister. This includes applying to seminary school, preparing financially, and applying for pastoral candidacy.

Get ordained online:

You can get ordained by an organization that provides instant online ordination. This is a low-cost and quick alternative to traditional ordination.

Become a civil celebrant:

You can become a civil celebrant by contacting your county clerk and acquiring a temporary license. This option is only valid for one wedding ceremony and there is typically a fee involved.

Requirements for Officiants:

According to California's family code § 400, the officiant must be at least 18 years old and ordained by a religious denomination. The officiant must ensure the couple has a valid marriage license before the ceremony and sign the marriage license after the ceremony. The ceremony itself must involve a declaration by the couple and a formal proclamation by the officiant.

Requirements for the Marriage License:

The marriage license must be obtained from a county clerk's office and is valid for 90 days. The couple must return the signed license to the county clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. The license requires the signatures of the couple, the officiant, and at least one adult witness.

Additional Notes:

While California does not require officiants to register with any government office, it is recommended to keep a copy of your minister license in case the county clerk requests proof of ordination.

Can anyone perform a wedding in California?

In California, various individuals are authorized to officiate weddings. This includes clergy from any religious denomination, judges, magistrates, Members of Congress, state officials, and local elected officials.

Getting ordained through a seminary

If you want to become an ordained minister through a seminary, you must first find a church whose message resonates with you. You can then speak to senior members of the church about the process of ordination via seminary school. Most seminaries have established relationships with particular denominations, so they can guide you toward a school that will be a good fit for your beliefs. Once you've decided on a school, you'll need to send in an application, which typically includes an essay detailing your interest in seminary school, letters of recommendation, and an interview. After completing your seminary education, you can apply for pastoral candidacy at a church. This involves a thorough interview with senior members of the church, during which you may be asked questions such as "Do you agree with everything in this church's statement of faith?" or "How would you characterize your understanding of church leadership?". Some churches may also require you to complete a trial period before becoming ordained.

Getting ordained online

Alternatively, you can get ordained online, which has become a popular alternative to traditional ordination due to its relatively low cost and minimal time commitment. There are numerous organizations that provide instant online ordination, such as the Universal Life Church and American Marriage Ministries, which qualify you to officiate weddings in California. The ordination process is usually as simple as filling out an online form with your personal information, and there are rarely tests or prior education requirements. While some organizations offer free ordination, others may charge a fee for their services or for official documentation confirming your status as an ordained minister. It is recommended that you have a copy of your minister license in case the county clerk requests it for verification.

Becoming a civil celebrant

Another option for performing a wedding in California is to become a civil celebrant through the county clerk's office. California Family Code Section 401(b) permits the Commissioner of Civil Marriages in a county to temporarily grant you the ability to perform a wedding without becoming ordained. This typically involves paying a fee, which can range from $100 to $150, and may be limited to officiating a single wedding ceremony in that county. To qualify, you must be over 18 years old and able to speak fluent English. You will also be required to take a short oath in which you swear to support and defend the Constitutions of the United States and the State of California.

Frequently asked questions