Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

California Certificate of Marriage

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE OF DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

MUST BE LEGIBLE – MAKE NO ERASURES, WHITEOUTS, OR OTHER ALTERATIONS

USE DARK INK ONLY

STATE FILE NUMBER

LOCAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

FIRST PERSON DATA

1A. FIRST NAME

1B. MIDDLE

1C. CURRENT LAST

1D. LAST NAME AT BIRTH (IF DIFFERENT THAN 1C)

2. DATE OF BIRTH

3. STATE/COUNTRY OF BIRTH

4. # PREV. MARRIAGES/SRDP

5A. LAST MARRIAGE/SRDP ENDED BY

5B. DATE ENDED

6. ADDRESS

7. CITY

8. STATE/COUNTRY

9. ZIP CODE

10A. FULL BIRTH NAME OF FATHER/PARENT

10B. STATE OF BIRTH

11A. FULL BIRTH NAME OF MOTHER/PARENT

11B. STATE OF BIRTH

SECOND PERSON DATA

12A. FIRST NAME

12B. MIDDLE

12C. CURRENT LAST

12D. LAST NAME AT BIRTH (IF DIFFERENT THAN 12C)

13. DATE OF BIRTH

14. STATE/COUNTRY OF BIRTH

15. # PREV. MARRIAGES/SRDP

16A. LAST MARRIAGE/SRDP ENDED BY

16B. DATE ENDED

17. ADDRESS

18. CITY

19. STATE/COUNTRY

20. ZIP CODE

21A. FULL BIRTH NAME OF FATHER/PARENT

21B. STATE OF BIRTH

22A. FULL BIRTH NAME OF MOTHER/PARENT

22B. STATE OF BIRTH

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT THE FOREGOING INFORMATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF. WE FURTHER DECLARE THAT WE ARE PRESENTLY MARRIED TO EACH OTHER, THAT A CALIFORNIA MARRIAGE LICENSE WAS OBTAINED PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY, AND THAT THE CEREMONY OCCURRED IN CALIFORNIA. WE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FAMILY CODE SECTION 358 AND HEREBY APPLY FOR A LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE OF DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE.

23. SIGNATURE OF PERSON LISTED IN FIELDS 1A-1D

24. SIGNATURE OF PERSON LISTED IN FIELDS 12A-12D

I, THE UNDERSIGNED, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE-NAMED PARTIES HAVE PERSONALLY APPEARED BEFORE ME AND PROVED TO ME ON THE BASIS OF SATISFACTORY EVIDENCE TO BE THE PERSONS CLAIMED, HAVE DECLARED THAT THEY MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW, AND HAVE PAID THE FEES PRESCRIBED BY LAW. THESE REQUIREMENTS HAVING BEEN MET, I HEREBY ISSUE THE LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE OF DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE.

25A. ISSUE DATE

25B. EXPIRES AFTER

25C. NAME OF COUNTY CLERK

25D. SIGNATURE OF CLERK OR DEPUTY CLERK

25E. MARRIAGE LICENSE NUMBER

25F. COUNTY OF ISSUE

25G. RETURN COMPLETED MARRIAGE LICENSE TO (INCLUDE ADDRESS)

WE, THE ABOVE-NAMED PARTIES, DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THAT WE WERE JOINED IN MARRIAGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AS INDICATED BELOW.

26A. DATE OF MARRIAGE

26B. CITY/TOWN OF MARRIAGE

26C. COUNTY OF MARRIAGE

27. SIGNATURE OF PERSON LISTED IN FIELDS 1A-1D

28. SIGNATURE OF PERSON LISTED IN FIELDS 12A-12D

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THAT WE WERE PHYSICALLY PRESENT AT THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY OF THE ABOVE-NAMED PARTIES, THAT WE WITNESSED THE ABOVE-NAMED PERSONS COMPLETE THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY, THAT THE CEREMONY OCCURRED IN CALIFORNIA, AND THAT THE FOREGOING INFORMATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF.

29A. SIGNATURE OF WITNESS

29B. NAME OF PERSON WITNESSING MARRIAGE

29C. ADDRESS, CITY, STATE/COUNTRY, AND ZIP CODE

30A. SIGNATURE OF WITNESS

30B. NAME OF PERSON WITNESSING MARRIAGE

30C. ADDRESS, CITY, STATE/COUNTRY, AND ZIP CODE

NEW NAMES (IF ANY)

31A. FIRST – MUST BE SAME AS 1A

31B. MIDDLE

31C. LAST

32A. FIRST – MUST BE SAME AS 12A

32B. MIDDLE

32C. LAST

33A. NAME OF LOCAL REGISTRAR

33B. SIGNATURE OF CLERK OR DEPUTY CLERK

33C. DATE ACCEPTED FOR REGISTRATION

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

Refunds CANNOT be given after a marriage license is issued.

You will not be notified that your license has been registered. You do not automatically receive a certified copy. You must request and pay for a certified copy from the local registrar of marriages (County Recorder) in the county where the license was issued.

SRDP = State Registered Domestic Partnership as registered with the Secretary of State.

“New Name(s)”—Law applying to middle and last names (items 31B, 31C, 32B, and 32C) OPTIONAL: Pursuant to Family Code Section 306.5, at the time of application for a marriage license, one or both parties may elect to change the middle or last names, or both, by entering that information on the marriage license application.

PURCHASE OF A LICENSE: All persons must purchase a License and Certificate of Declaration of Marriage from the County Clerk in the parties’ county of residence in order to declare a California marriage which has been solemnized, but for which no official record exists.

To Persons Declaring Their Marriage: The License and Certificate of Declaration of Marriage expires 90 days after date of issue in Item 25A and cannot be used after the “Expiration Date” shown in Item 25B.

1. Complete the marriage license using DARK INK ONLY.

2. Enter date and place of marriage in Items 26A, 26B, and 26C.

3. Sign your names in Items 27 and 28.

4. Have two witnesses to the marriage sign Items 29A and 30A and complete Items 29B, 29C, 30B and 30C.

PRIVACY NOTIFICATION: The information requested on this certificate is authorized and required by law and is used to establish a permanent record and provide certified copies and statistical reporting.

For Official Use Only

Enter text✕
Prepare your document for signing right on this page
  • 01 Edit the text and complete the fields
  • 02 Click Sign Now and on the next screen add recipients and signature fields in SignNow
  • 03 Start your free trial to sign and send your doc
Sign Now

What the California Certificate of Marriage Is

California Certificate of Marriage is the official vital record that documents a marriage licensed and recorded within California. County clerks issue certified copies after a marriage license is returned following the ceremony; the statewide index is maintained by the California Department of Public Health Vital Records. A certified marriage certificate verifies legal marital status for name changes, Social Security and DMV updates, tax filing, immigration petitions, insurance benefits, and inheritance matters. Copies are treated as primary evidence of marriage and are accepted by federal and state agencies when certified by the issuing county or state office.

Why a Certified Marriage Certificate Matters

A California Certificate of Marriage provides authoritative proof of marital status, enables legal name changes, supports benefits claims, and serves as evidence in immigration or tax matters. Certified copies reduce administrative friction and are often required by courts, employers, insurers, and federal agencies.

Why a Certified Marriage Certificate Matters

Who Typically Needs a Certified Copy

Typical users include married individuals, county clerks, employers, insurers, immigration attorneys, and agencies requiring certified proof of marital status.

  • Newly married couples seeking certified copies for name changes and benefits enrollment.
  • Employers or HR departments verifying marital status for benefits, insurance, and payroll purposes.
  • Immigration attorneys and agencies using certified copies as supporting evidence for petitions.

County clerks and state vital records offices manage issuance, archival copies, and certified copy requests for official uses.

Step-by-Step: From License to Certified Copy

Follow these steps to obtain and use a California Certificate of Marriage from license to certified copy retrieval.

  • 01
    Apply for License: Submit application at county clerk; pay fee and provide ID.
  • 02
    Hold Ceremony: Officiant completes license after ceremony; obtain signature where required.
  • 03
    Return License: Officiant or authorized person files license with county recorder.
  • 04
    Request Certified Copy: Order certified copy from county or state vital records office.

Key Elements Appearing on a Certified Copy

A professional California Certificate of Marriage includes authenticated signatures, a county or state seal, recording data, clear party names, and a certified copy designation for legal acceptance.

Official Seal

The issuing county's embossed or stamped seal appears on certified copies to attest authenticity; federal and state agencies routinely require the original seal to accept the document for official purposes.

Recording Details

Includes license number, filing date, and recorder's book or document reference; these identifiers are used to verify record status and to pull certified copies from archives.

Signatures

Signatures of parties, officiant, and any required witnesses are documented; the officiant's signature confirms completion and is necessary for the county recorder's acceptance.

Certified Copy Mark

Certified copies include a certification statement, recorder signature, and issuance date; informational copies lack certification and are not valid for name changes or legal filings.

Security Features

High-quality certified copies may include watermarks, security paper, or microprinting depending on county practice to reduce fraud and ease verification by institutions.

Search Reference

Index or record locator numbers let registrars retrieve files quickly; include these numbers on requests to speed processing and reduce misfiled requests.

Security and Compliance Considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit, AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP, signer attribution
HIPAA: BAA required for PHI workflows
ESIGN / UETA: Meets ESIGN Act and UETA standards
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001
Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA support

Common Risks and Potential Consequences

Incorrect Names: May invalidate copy
Missing Signatures: Delays or rejection
False Statements: Potential criminal penalties
Unauthorized Requests: Privacy violations risk
Improper Notarization: May require reissuance
Expired License: Cannot be certified

Lifecycle Overview: From Application to Issuance

The typical lifecycle covers license application, ceremony completion, county filing, then issuance of a certified marriage certificate.

  • Apply: Couple completes license application at county clerk.
  • Ceremony: Officiant signs and records ceremony details.
  • File: Return signed license to county recorder promptly.
  • Issue: County issues certified copy for legal use.

Digital Submission and Integration Notes

Digital delivery and eSubmission options depend on county services, acceptable authentication methods, and your eSignature provider's integrations.

  • Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite, Google Workspace supported
  • Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML accepted
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, and advanced 2FA options

eSignature Vendor Pricing Snapshot

Comparison of typical eSignature vendor pricing and feature availability relevant to preparing and delivering marriage certificates and related forms.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes (premium tier) Yes Yes Yes Limited
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Practical Tips to Avoid Delays and Rejections

Practical tips to reduce processing delays, avoid rejections, and ensure certified copies meet legal and administrative requirements.

Verify legal names and IDs before submission
Confirm each party's name exactly matches government-issued identification and the marriage license. If either party intends a name change, prepare supplemental documents such as Social Security and DMV forms to prevent repeat visits and expedite updates.
Choose certified copy for legal use
Always request a certified copy rather than an informational copy when the document will be used for name changes, immigration petitions, or court filings. Agencies typically reject uncertified duplicates for official proofs.
Retain multiple certified copies securely
Obtain and store multiple certified copies in separate secure locations to produce originals quickly for agencies, insurers, and legal matters. Certified copies are often required in their original sealed form, not scanned versions.
Confirm county electronic acceptance before eSubmission
Before using eSignature or digital ordering, confirm the issuing county accepts electronic submissions and which forms may be processed online. Retain printed certified copies for agencies that do not accept electronic evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about obtaining, correcting, and using a California Certificate of Marriage, including electronic copies and authorized requestors.


Need help? Contact support

Explore Templates

Parking Agreement Apartment Lease Guarantee of Payment Form Lease Agreement North Carolina Lease Agreement Ontario Lease Agreement Texas Rental Lease Agreement
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Sign Now
Company
Forms
Pricing
Resources
Knowledge base
Other Products
© 2026 airSlate Inc. All rights reserved.