OrdainelyCalifornia Marriage License Requirements for Officiants
We have detailed filing guides for 58 counties in California, covering filing deadlines, witness requirements, ordination acceptance, and clerk office details.
County Filing Guides
| County | Filing Deadline | Witnesses | ULC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inyo | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Alameda | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Alpine | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Amador | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Butte | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Calaveras | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Colusa | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Contra Costa | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Del Norte | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| El Dorado | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Fresno | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Glenn | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Humboldt | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Imperial | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Kern | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Kings | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Lake | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Lassen | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Los Angeles | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Madera | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Marin | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Mariposa | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Mendocino | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Merced | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Modoc | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Mono | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Monterey | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Napa | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Nevada | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Orange | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Placer | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Plumas | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Riverside | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Sacramento | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| San Benito | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| San Bernardino | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| San Diego | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| San Francisco | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| San Joaquin | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| San Luis Obispo | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| San Mateo | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Santa Barbara | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Santa Clara | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Santa Cruz | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Shasta | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Sierra | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Siskiyou | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Solano | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Sonoma | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Stanislaus | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Sutter | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Tehama | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Trinity | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Tulare | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Tuolumne | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Ventura | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Yolo | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
| Yuba | 10 days | 1 | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do officiants have to file a marriage license in California?
In California, officiants typically have 10 days to return the signed marriage license to the county clerk's office after the ceremony.
Is ULC ordination accepted in California?
ULC (Universal Life Church) ordination is generally accepted in California. We recommend confirming with the specific county clerk's office before the ceremony.
Where do I file the marriage license in California?
Marriage licenses are filed at the county clerk's office (or equivalent) in the county where the license was issued. Each county has its own office — see the county guides below for specific addresses and contact information.
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