How to Get Married 101

Dear friend of NCLR,

It's amazing how time flies. Nearly a month ago, we won marriage
and now it's time to plan weddings! We know that you--or
someone you know--is likely in the throes of wedding planning
stress. Never fear, NCLR is always here to help.

NCLR's legal team has put together a short "CA Marriage 101: How
to Marry in California" document--the basic information you need
to know in order to obtain a wedding license in California. You can
download the document in its entirety here, or read on for a quick
summary:

Who can marry?

To be eligible to marry in California, each person in a couple must:


* Be 18 years of age or older (if either or both are younger than
18, different procedures apply)
* Not be closely related by blood or marriage to their intended
spouse.
* Not be married to or in a registered domestic partnership or
civil union with anyone else. (Please note: Any divorce from a
previous marriage, or dissolution of a civil union or domestic
partnership with another person, must be final at the time a
person applies for a marriage license.)

How do we get a marriage license?

You must apply for a marriage license at the Office of the County
Clerk or County Recorder of any California county (it does not need to
be to be the county where you live or where you plan to marry).

Some clerks' offices require that you set up an appointment in
advance to apply--call the clerk's office or visit the
clerk's website to find out more information.
http://www.nclrights.org/site/R?i=rA416JZ2P9gPfE_4Yjpziw..

(Note: San Francisco County is by appointment only. Licenses will NOT
be given on a first-come, first-served basis.)

http://www.nclrights.org/site/R?i=oQhwAf7inOXhN0gEBJypag..

You can download a license application from most counties'
websites to complete in advance or simply get and complete the form
when you visit the County Clerk's office.
http://www.nclrights.org/site/R?i=jgy_kQ4GETeMBdCVJoCXCA..

What do we need to bring with us when we apply for a license?

In order to receive a marriage license, both members of the couple
must go to the Clerk's office together and bring:

1. Picture ID
Bring a Driver's License or other valid government-issued
identification. Some counties recommend bringing certified copies of
your birth certificates--you can contact the county office you
plan to visit in advance to find out if this is recommended. Know your
parents' names, mother's maiden name, and where your
parents were born.
http://www.nclrights.org/site/R?i=9odu4e8trvbCq0vc_--UuA..



2. Payment
The county clerks charge a fee for issuing the license, and the fee
varies by county, but it is generally less than $100. Contact the
clerk in the county where you intend to apply to find out how much the
fee is and what method of payment--cash, check, or credit
card--they will accept.



3. Information about previous marriages
If you have been married before, you will need to provide information
about the specific date your last marriage(s) ended as well as how
it/they ended (e.g. death, dissolution, divorce, or nullity.) Some
counties may require a copy of the final judgment if your previous
marriage ended by dissolution or nullity.

Remember, marriage is a serious legal and personal commitment that
should not be entered into lightly. Before getting married, couples
should educate themselves about the legal consequences of marriage.
NCLR advises that you seek individualized legal advice as well.
Important Note: Binational couples in which one member does not have
permanent legal resident status in this country, anyone serving in the
U.S. military, anyone considering adopting a child from another
country, and anyone receiving government financial assistance should
consult with an attorney with expertise in these areas of law before
getting married.

click here to read the FAQ's about marriage in California (pdf)

http://www.nclrights.org/site/R?i=V6HLH1_37IZ6ro4gdab8FA..

Congratulations!


Kate Kendell, Esq.
National Center for Lesbian Rights