Pirate Themed Weddings and Unique Ceremonies
Frequently Asked Questions!
What is the difference between a confidential wedding license, versus a public wedding license for the state of California?
Marriage Licenses
Confidential License/Standard License (Public)
I am authorized to issue the Confidential Marriage License for Los Angeles County as I have a Notary Public at my disposal. This makes it very convenient for my couples as they do not have to stand in line at the County Recorders Office. However, I also issue licenses to couples I am not marrying. Please email me for details on this process as there is an additional fee involved.
In California we have two types of Licenses: Confidential and Public. The Confidential was originally started for couples who had been living together and wanted to avoid the dreaded blood test. So starting around 1969 many couples avoided the blood test by taking out a Confidential License, stating that they had been living together. In 1970 California began to allow Notaries Public to issue the Confidential Licenses as a convenience to the public. You could still get the other license (with the blood test) if you went to a County office. However, in 1995 California did away with the Blood Test entirely and you still have the option to buy either license. The advantage now of the Confidential license is that it is a "Sealed" document and only the couple can get a copy of it from the County Recorder. In this day of identity theft, many couples opt for the Confidential License. A disadvantage is that it must be used in the County in which it was issued - this does not mean you must have the ceremony performed only in that county. But, Los Angeles is a very large County and this usually isn't a problem for my couples. So it is up to you to decide which license best suits your needs - both types are available at a County Office - you are just as married with either type of license. However, if I am officiating your ceremony in any other County except Los Angeles, you will have to obtain your own license.
After you fill out the application, you should then call for an appointment to meet with me for issuance. This must be done in person. With the long lines and wait at the Recorders' Offices, you might find it more convenient to spend 15 minutes with me and my notary to obtain your marriage license. I issue licenses on Saturdays, Sundays and evenings by appointment. If you're flying in for a wedding at the last moment, this could be a neccessity.
Please note that minors -- 17 years of age or younger, must obtain their license from the County Recorder's office -- Notaries are NOT allowed to issue them.
Why can't my partner and I get married over the phone?
The State of California does not allow marriages over the phone. If you find a minister/notary willing to do this in the State of California for you, your marriage will not be valid. This questions comes up mostly about incarcerated persons. Since you have to appear in person in front of the Notary, it makes no sense that this can be done over the phone. Please call the County Recorder's office for verification of this information at 323/586-6192. You can also verify the notary authorization to issue marriage licenses. If you do this, the marriage will be invalid and not legally binding.
Can I marry my partner who is in jail?
No. I can't perform this type of marriage without a judge's permission.
Contact the LA County Recorders office for more info. 562/462-2137
What do I need for ID?
I require a valid State issued Drivers License or Identification card, Passport or Canadian / Mexican Drivers License, OR Mexican Matricula Card. Any ID used must be current and not expired. If it is expired you would need to have it renewed I can verify anything for your wedding.
Can I use the Matricular Consular Card as ID?
Yes, I can issue you a marriage license if the card is valid and not expired.
Do I have to be a US Citizen to get married in California?
No, I have conducted ceremonies for couples from all over the world. There are no citizenship requirements to get married in California. No matter what visa you have you can still get married. You only have to possess valid ID mentioned above.
Can you issue a license to minors 17 and younger?
No, Please note that minors -- 17 years of age or younger, must obtain their license from the County Recorder's office (with a parent)-- Notaries are NOT allowed to issue them. I can then officiate your ceremony after you obtain your license.
Can you issue a license to same sex couples?
Proposition 8 was a California State ballot that passed in the November 4, 2008 general election and took effect on November 5, the day after the election. It changed the California Constitution to add a new section (7.5) to Article I, which reads: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." This change restricted the definition of marriage to opposite-sex couples, and eliminated same-sex couples' right to marry, thereby overriding portions of the ruling of In re Marriage Cases by "carving out an exception to the preexisting scope of the privacy and due process clauses" of the state constitution. The proposition did not affect the existing domestic partnerships registry.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions regarding blessings for same sex ceremonies.
Marriage Licenses
Confidential License/Standard License (Public)
I am authorized to issue the Confidential Marriage License for Los Angeles County as I have a Notary Public at my disposal. This makes it very convenient for my couples as they do not have to stand in line at the County Recorders Office. However, I also issue licenses to couples I am not marrying. Please email me for details on this process as there is an additional fee involved.
In California we have two types of Licenses: Confidential and Public. The Confidential was originally started for couples who had been living together and wanted to avoid the dreaded blood test. So starting around 1969 many couples avoided the blood test by taking out a Confidential License, stating that they had been living together. In 1970 California began to allow Notaries Public to issue the Confidential Licenses as a convenience to the public. You could still get the other license (with the blood test) if you went to a County office. However, in 1995 California did away with the Blood Test entirely and you still have the option to buy either license. The advantage now of the Confidential license is that it is a "Sealed" document and only the couple can get a copy of it from the County Recorder. In this day of identity theft, many couples opt for the Confidential License. A disadvantage is that it must be used in the County in which it was issued - this does not mean you must have the ceremony performed only in that county. But, Los Angeles is a very large County and this usually isn't a problem for my couples. So it is up to you to decide which license best suits your needs - both types are available at a County Office - you are just as married with either type of license. However, if I am officiating your ceremony in any other County except Los Angeles, you will have to obtain your own license.
After you fill out the application, you should then call for an appointment to meet with me for issuance. This must be done in person. With the long lines and wait at the Recorders' Offices, you might find it more convenient to spend 15 minutes with me and my notary to obtain your marriage license. I issue licenses on Saturdays, Sundays and evenings by appointment. If you're flying in for a wedding at the last moment, this could be a neccessity.
Please note that minors -- 17 years of age or younger, must obtain their license from the County Recorder's office -- Notaries are NOT allowed to issue them.
Why can't my partner and I get married over the phone?
The State of California does not allow marriages over the phone. If you find a minister/notary willing to do this in the State of California for you, your marriage will not be valid. This questions comes up mostly about incarcerated persons. Since you have to appear in person in front of the Notary, it makes no sense that this can be done over the phone. Please call the County Recorder's office for verification of this information at 323/586-6192. You can also verify the notary authorization to issue marriage licenses. If you do this, the marriage will be invalid and not legally binding.
Can I marry my partner who is in jail?
No. I can't perform this type of marriage without a judge's permission.
Contact the LA County Recorders office for more info. 562/462-2137
What do I need for ID?
I require a valid State issued Drivers License or Identification card, Passport or Canadian / Mexican Drivers License, OR Mexican Matricula Card. Any ID used must be current and not expired. If it is expired you would need to have it renewed I can verify anything for your wedding.
Can I use the Matricular Consular Card as ID?
Yes, I can issue you a marriage license if the card is valid and not expired.
Do I have to be a US Citizen to get married in California?
No, I have conducted ceremonies for couples from all over the world. There are no citizenship requirements to get married in California. No matter what visa you have you can still get married. You only have to possess valid ID mentioned above.
Can you issue a license to minors 17 and younger?
No, Please note that minors -- 17 years of age or younger, must obtain their license from the County Recorder's office (with a parent)-- Notaries are NOT allowed to issue them. I can then officiate your ceremony after you obtain your license.
Can you issue a license to same sex couples?
Proposition 8 was a California State ballot that passed in the November 4, 2008 general election and took effect on November 5, the day after the election. It changed the California Constitution to add a new section (7.5) to Article I, which reads: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." This change restricted the definition of marriage to opposite-sex couples, and eliminated same-sex couples' right to marry, thereby overriding portions of the ruling of In re Marriage Cases by "carving out an exception to the preexisting scope of the privacy and due process clauses" of the state constitution. The proposition did not affect the existing domestic partnerships registry.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions regarding blessings for same sex ceremonies.
