How do I get a marriage license in San Francisco?
To make an online reservation to apply for and obtain your Marriage License or host your Civil/Commitment Ceremony at San Francisco City Hall, click here. Separate appointments are required for obtaining a marraige license and/or for the ceremony. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance.
How much does it cost to get married at San Francisco?
With all that information, we pulled together what you need to know to get started. Or you know, planned in a day. How much does it cost to get married at San Francisco City Hall? The marriage license itself is $104, and the civil ceremony is $83.
Who can perform a civil marriage in San Francisco?
The marriage ceremony must be performed by an authorized person defined in CA Family Code Section 400 Please visit California Legislative Information for the full Family Code sections. Couples may choose to have a Civil marriage ceremony at City Hall performed by a San Francisco County Clerk Deputy Marriage Commissioner.
What are the requirements to get married in California?
State of California Marriage Requirements. Only two unmarried persons who are atleast 18 years of age with valid legal identification may apply for a marriage license in California. Anyone under 18 must obtain a court order through the Juvenile Court system. California residency and US citizenship are not requirements for marriage in California.
How long does it take to get married in San Francisco?
The ceremony is short – about 3 – 4 minutes, with a check-in process immediately prior that takes up to 30 minutes. You can make an appointment for your Civil Ceremony within 90 days of the wedding date. Officially, only 6 guests are permitted to attend your San Francisco City Hall Civil Ceremony.
What documents are required to get married in California?
Both parties must present a valid, unexpired authentic legal photo identification card containing a photograph, full legal name, date of birth, date of issue, and date of expiration (Examples: passport, driver's license, naturalization certificate, resident alien card, military I.D.) If the legal picture I.D.
How much does it cost to get married in San Francisco City Hall?
Currently, the cost for a civil ceremony at SF City Hall is $95. Public civil ceremony appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Reserve your appointment up to 90 days in advance. You must present your wedding license at the time of the ceremony.
Can you get married at the courthouse in San Francisco?
Couples may invite up to 6 guests. Due to limited space and time, civil ceremony weddings can have a maximum of 6 guests. If you will be bringing more than 6 guests, you will need to book a private wedding through the San Francisco City Hall Events Department at www.sfgov.org/cityhallevents.
Can you get married the same day in California?
California marriage licenses are only valid for 90 days, so you must obtain your marriage license within the 90 days immediately prior to your wedding date. No blood test is required. There is no waiting period.
What are the steps to get married in California?
Apply for a Marriage LicenseChoose your married name, if you plan to change your name.Apply for a marriage license from the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's Office.Give the marriage license to the person who will perform your marriage ceremony.Return the signed license to the Clerk-Recorder's Office.More items...
How do you elope in San Francisco?
Where to Elope in San Francisco - My Top Picks Muir Woods. Shelldance Orchid Gardens. San Francisco City Hall. Palace of Fine Arts. Filoli Gardens. The Mountain Terrace. Hastings House Garden Weddings. San Francisco Botanical Garden.More items...•
How much is a courthouse wedding?
In general, you can expect basic fees for a courthouse wedding to top out at around $120; there are additional fees associated with things like securing certain spaces where guests are allowed or bringing in your own officiant.
How do you get married at the courthouse in California?
Appointments are required.Appointments are required. ... Complete the Marriage License Online Application (recommended).Both parties must appear together to their in-person appointment.Both parties must present valid, government-issued photo ID.Ceremonies are performed in English or Spanish.More items...
Can I apply for a marriage license online in San Francisco?
San Francisco Marriage License and Civil Ceremony Fees Marriage license and ceremony appointments are available online or can be made in the Office of the County Clerk.
How do I get married in the Bay Area?
While you don't have to be a resident of California to get married in San Francisco, both parties will need a valid photo ID to apply for a license, and at least one witness will need to sign the certificate on your wedding day.
Do you need a witness to get married in California?
A PUBLIC marriage license is a public record. The license allows you to have the ceremony anywhere within the State of California and you are required to have at least one witness present during the ceremony.
How long does it take to get marriage license in California?
Applications for this program are encouraged at least three weeks before any ceremony. Within 10 days, the authorized person who performs the wedding ceremony will return the original marriage license to the county clerk/recorder. Once they receive and record your license, it becomes a marriage certificate.
How much does it cost to get legally married in California?
Public Marriage License fee is $70.00. This is the most common type of marriage license. Must have at least one witness present at the ceremony. No more than two witnesses may sign the official marriage license after the ceremony.
Does California require a blood test for marriage?
As a result of a little-known change in the law, California no longer requires blood tests for couples seeking a marriage license, joining the majority of states that have dropped the requirement.
How many witnesses do you need to get married in California?
The public marriage license requires the signature of one witness, and if desired, has a place for an additional witness. No more than TWO witnesses may sign on the public marriage license. Only one signature per line is allowed. No witnesses may sign on the confidential marriage license.
What are the benefits of hosting a wedding in the Bay Area?
Renowned festivals and praiseworthy gastronomy are two of many perks to hosting a Bay Area wedding. As home to one of the largest pride parades in the nation, the LGBTQIA community will find the city very welcoming.
How much does it cost to have a civil marriage at City Hall?
To have a civil marriage ceremony at City Hall, you must book an online appointment and pay the $93 fee in advance. Ceremonies can have up to six guests (including the photographer).
What is the culture of San Francisco?
The creative culture of San Francisco is without parallel. The city is home to numerous art institutions, musical productions, and vibrant murals that exude ingenuity for a Bay Area wedding. With this in mind, bold brights and nature-inspired palettes are two of many wedding colors and trends this year to consider.
How many people visit San Francisco every year?
There’s more than meets the eye with this eclectic city. With nearly 26 million visitors every year, the San Francisco Bay area has tons of rich history, cuisine, and natural beauty to explore. Here are 10 fun things to do and see while in San Francisco.
How old do you have to be to make an appointment for a video conference?
Schedule an appointment: Make a reservation online with the County Clerk for a video conference. Couples must be unmarried and at least 18 years of age.
What is the Bay Area of San Francisco known for?
The San Francisco Bay area, popularly called the ‘Bay Area,’ is a vibrant metropolitan center long known for its fine wine, beautiful beach fronts, and cultural melting pot.
When did marriage equality become legal in California?
Marriage equality in California became legal in 2013, two years before its legalization nationwide.
How far in advance can you make a reservation for a marriage in San Francisco?
Separate appointments are required for obtaining a marraige license and/or for the ceremony. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance.
How long does it take to get married in California?
- Couple must apply for and pay for a marriage license issued by a County Clerk, and. - Ceremony must take place in California within 90 days of when the marriage license is issued, and. - Ceremony must be performed by an authorized person under CA Family Code Sections 400-401.
The basics
According to WeddingWire data, most couples in this area are opting for a slightly longer engagement at 14 months, hiring about 13 vendors, and inviting around 120 wedding guests. The average cost of a wedding in San Francisco is $40,000, ringing in as the second-most expensive place in the country to get hitched (only behind New York City).
Getting there and getting around
This region is sprawling with a capital “S,” so you want to make sure your out-of-town guests have their travel and accommodations figured out in advance.
Weather
Throughout most of the year, the Bay Area enjoys mild, warm days and cooler nights. On average, September is the warmest month with highs around 70 degrees, while December and January average 60 degrees during the day and 40 degrees at night. Rainfall is heaviest from November to March, with the summer months seeing very little precipitation.
Wedding venues
A view of the Golden Gate Bridge is the epitome of any San Francisco wedding, but your venue options aren't limited to the heart of the city (unless you want them to be, of course).
Marriage requirements
Your San Francisco wedding will need to be accompanied by a California marriage license. Luckily, the Golden State makes that pretty easy to obtain. There’s no required wait time once your license is issued, but it will expire after 90 days.
San Fransisco wedding inspiration
Now that you know exactly how to get married in San Francisco, check out these real weddings to see how other couples pulled it off.
What did we miss about getting married in San Francisco?
Email us your wedding planning tips and favorite San Francisco vendors!
Can I get married in San Francisco?
It's high tech meets lo-fi and beach vibes meet urban chic. To get married in San Francisco ( or planning your wedding in the surrounding areas of Oakland, South Bay, North Bay, or Napa and Sonoma), you'll need to know how to navigate all the legal requirements for making it official in San Francisco and the surrounding areas.
Does San Francisco require a minister to be a minister?
San Francisco does not require minister registration before performing a marriage. If you're getting married outside of the city, you should always check with the local city or town clerk to check that your officiant can perform the wedding in that jurisdiction.
How long does it take to get a marriage license in San Francisco?
We will not accept requests within 7 days or more than sixty (60) days prior to the ceremony date.
How many people can attend a wedding in San Francisco?
If you would like to bring more than 6 guests, and/or would like to request a specific venue for your marriage ceremony at City Hall, please make arrangements with the San Francisco City Hall Events Department at www.sfgov.org/cityhallevents
How long does it take to get a copy of a marriage license?
A certified copy of your marriage record will NOT be available for purchase until at least 10 business days AFTER the license is received from the person solemnizing the marriage. Same-day and expedited services for certified copies are not available. Please plan accordingly. For further information, see webpage: http://sfgov.org/countyclerk/how-obtain-copies-marriage-licenses
How long is a marriage license valid?
The marriage license is valid for 90 days from the marriage license issuance date. If you plan to purchase your marriage license on the same day as your ceremony reservation, you must make and pay for a marriage license reservation for the same day at least 30 minutes PRIOR to your ceremony reservation time.
How old do you have to be to be a civil marriage commissioner?
Any person age 18+ years may be granted authorization to perform a civil marriage as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a specific couple. For further information, see the webpage Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day.
How many witnesses are required for a public marriage?
Unexpired government-issued photo identification in English. For a Public Marriage Ceremony, 1 witness is required to be present. For a Confidential Marriage Ceremony, no ceremony witness is required.
When will marriage licenses be issued in 2021?
Marriage License appointments start on June 7, 2021. Civil Marriage Ceremonies start on June 9, 2021. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, all mail and online orders are experiencing processing delays of 4-6 weeks. Please plan accordingly and we thank you for your patience. Frequently Asked Questions.
How old do you have to be to get a marriage license in California?
To get a marriage license in California, you must be eighteen years old, but you do not have to be a California or United States resident or citizen (yay for international elopements!). Both parties must be present and have unexpired government identification.
How many witnesses do you need for a marriage?
You only need one witness, and you can have two sign your marriage license. Your photographer can absolutely sign as your witness. Bring your witness (es) with you to your ceremony appointment.
How many people can be in a civil ceremony?
For civil ceremonies, you’re allowed six guests. However, it is a public space, so anyone can be there (which means ceremonies may be less private than you like). Private ceremonies on the fourth floor and Mayor’s Balcony can hold up to one hundred guests.
How far in advance can you make a wedding reservation?
Reservations can be made up to ninety days in advance, so if you want to get married on a popular date or time (Friday afternoons are the busiest for weddings), make sure you book your appointments as soon as you can.
How long has Chelsea been working at A Practical Wedding?
She has worked for A Practical Wedding for two years, becoming an expert on not-so-corporate events, styled shoots, social media management and wedding planning.
