Marriage Ceremonies

We are now offering in-person ceremonies by appointment only. For more information, or to schedule an appointment for a civil ceremony, contact the County Clerk’s Office Email the County Clerk.

Marriage Ceremony Questions

Click on a question to see the answer, or Open All Questions.

• If I'm ordained in another state/country, can I perform a ceremony in California?

  Yes, provided you are authorized by an entity to perform ceremonies. In accordance with California Family Code Section 400, persons authorized to solemnize marriages must be 18 years of age or older, and include any of the following: Priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination authorized by his/her denomination to solemnize marriages, including retired individuals.

  In California, it is the ordination or investment by the denomination that gives each clergy member the authority to perform the marriage rite. H&SC Section 103175(3) requires the person solemnizing a marriage to endorse upon the license, the specific denomination that gives him/her the authority to solemnize marriages, if he/she is a clergy or clergy person. Out-of-state and out-of-country priests, ministers, or clergy persons may perform marriages in California if they are ordained or invested by a denomination.

  The laws of the State of California do not require persons performing marriages to file credentials with the State, County Clerk, or other governmental entity. The State Registrar, County Clerk, or County Recorder do not have responsibility for verification of credentials. The state does not maintain a central registry of members of the clergy.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact the County Clerk's Office located at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive room 234, San Rafael, CA. You can also contact a member of the County Clerk staff via phone at (415) 473-6772 or via email. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Monday through Friday (closed major holidays) All transactions, filings, and applications must be presented for processing by 3:30 PM.

• Can a minister ordained online perform a ceremony?

  Yes, ministers or reverends ordained online are accepted officiants in the State of California. Once you have a marriage license, you may be married by any priest, rabbi, minister or other authorized person of your choice.

  In California, it is the ordination or investment by the denomination that gives each clergy member the authority to perform the marriage rite. H&SC Section 103175(3) requires the person solemnizing a marriage to endorse upon the license, the specific denomination that gives him/her the authority to solemnize marriages, if he/she is a clergy or clergy person.

  Per California Family Code Section 420(a): No particular form for the ceremony of marriage is required for solemnization of the marriage, but the parties shall declare, in the physical presence of the person solemnizing the marriage and necessary witnesses, that they take each other as spouses.

  We include in our marriage packets, instructions, to help guide you while completing the marriage license.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact us. Our office is located at the Marin County Civic Center room 234, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA. You can also contact a member of the County Clerk staff via phone at (415) 473-6772 or via email. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Monday through Friday (closed major holidays) All transactions, filings, and applications must be presented for processing by 3:30 PM.

• How do I become a deputy commissioner of civil marriages?

  If you are not authorized to perform ceremonies we can deputize you to perform a ceremony. Anyone who is 18 years old or older may be sworn in as a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages to perform a marriage. The Deputy Commissioner appointment is for one ceremony only and the couple must have purchased their license from the Marin County Clerk. If you want to perform multiple ceremonies you must get deputized for each one. The fee is $60.00 payable by cash or check payable to the Marin County Clerk, or by debit/credit card (service fee of $2.50 per transaction applies).

  To officiate at a ceremony as a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages, you should appear in person any weekday prior to the ceremony. Provide your full name, the date of the ceremony, the couples' names and the city and county in California where the ceremony will take place. You will be sworn in by an oath of office for this specific event. We will provide a sample ceremony that you may use, or rewrite, along with instructions on how to complete and return the marriage license.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact the County Clerk's Office located at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive room 234, San Rafael, CA. You can also contact a member of the County Clerk staff via phone at (415) 473-6772 or by email. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Monday through Friday (closed major holidays) All transactions, filings, and applications must be presented for processing by 3:30 PM.

• Can I get married the day I get the marriage license?

  Both public and confidential marriage licenses are effective on the day issued and may be used anywhere in the State of California within 90 days of the issue date.

  The marriage may be solemnized by a priest, rabbi, minister or other authorized person of your choice. If you prefer, you may be married by the County Clerk's Office by making an appointment for an in-person civil ceremony.

  The person who performs the ceremony will return the certificate to the Marin County Recorder's Office, located at the Marin County Civic Center Room 232. You may obtain a certified copy from the Marin County Recorder. For more information please call: (415) 473-6092 or email us.

  Confidential marriage certificates must be returned to the office of the County Clerk that issued the license within 10 days of the ceremony. Certified copies may be obtained from the County Clerk's Office by appearing in person with picture ID or by submitting a notarized request form.

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact the County Clerk's Office located at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive room 234, San Rafael, CA. You can also contact a member of the County Clerk staff via phone at (415) 473-6772 or via email. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday (closed major holidays). All transactions, filings, and applications must be presented for processing by 3:30 PM.

• Can I get married at the Marin County Civic Center?

  Yes, by appointment only. Civil ceremonies are now being performed in person.

  Ceremonies cost $56.00 and are payable to the Marin County Clerk by cash, check or credit-debt (Service Fee $2.50). Virtual ceremonies are performed by appointment only between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

  To make an appointment for a ceremony at the Civic Center, please call (415) 473-6772 or via email

  If you need additional information or have more questions, please contact us. Our office is located at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive room 234, San Rafael, CA. You can also contact a member of the County Clerk staff via phone at (415) 473-6772 or via email. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday (closed major holidays). All transactions, filings, and applications must be presented for processing by 3:30 PM.