If the marriage license is lost before the wedding ceremony is performed, then you must purchase a new marriage license. In cases where a license was purchased but lost after the ceremony, you must wait one year from the date of the marriage to either 1) file a Declaration of Marriage or 2) file a court ordered Delayed Registration of Marriage.

Unexpired, government-issued ID. If you cannot furnish one of the following examples, you will need two pieces of identification: 1. One must include a picture, such as a current school ID or an employee ID card (Check cashing cards or other similar cards issued by private entities will NOT be accepted.). 2. One must include your birth date, such as a certified copy of your birth certificate, an original baptismal certificate, or file-stamped adoption records. If your ID doesn't have your full legal name, bring a certified copy of your birth certificate and a picture ID that shows your full legal name. The following are examples of acceptable ID that are typically provided:

• Driver's License

• Passport

• Consular ID Card (Matricula)

• Military ID

• Permanent Resident Card

You do not need to present a birth certificate to obtain a marriage license, only a valid government-issued photo ID.

If you notice a mistake on your license before your ceremony, you may choose to purchase a brand new license for the applicable fee. If you see a mistake on your license after your ceremony, you may file an amendment for a public marriage license at the County Clerk's Office or the California State Department of Vital Records. You can use an amendment to correct erroneous information only. Amendments for confidential marriage records are processed at the Clerk-Recorder's Office only.

You may not use a California marriage license in another state. Marriage licenses issued in California are only valid within this state.

The license is valid for 90 days. The wedding ceremony must occur no later than 90 days after receiving the license. If the license is expired, the couple must purchase a new license.

No. The license is valid in any county within the state of California; however, it must be recorded in the same county where it was issued.

No. A ceremony must take place in order for a couple to be legally married.

The person who officiated your wedding ceremony must complete the license and return it to our office within 10 days. Once we receive the license and verify it is correct, the license is registered. After the license isregistered, you may purchase a certified copy of the license.

The marriage license will expire after 90 days. Payments for the marriage license will not be refunded. If you decide after 90 days to reapply for a marriage license, additional fees will apply.

In California, marriage ceremonies may be performed by any of the following who is 18 years of age or older:

• Priests, rabbis, or ministers of any religious denomination

• Commissioners of Civil Marriages

• Judges

• Legislators or Constitutional Officers of this state, or a member of Congress who represents a district within this state, while the official holds office.

• Mayor of a city while the official holds office

• County Supervisors while the official holds office

For public marriages, the couple is encouraged to provide at least one witness. Witnesses are not required for confidential marriages.

Pursuant to Section 401 (a) and (b) of the California Family Code, the County Clerk may appoint someone as a Deputy Commissioner for a Day.

The following is a list of requirements for the Deputy Commissioner for a Day:

• The person applying must be at least 18 years of age.

• The marriage license must be issued in Tulare County.

• A date must be set for the wedding ceremony.

• Call our office at least two weeks before the ceremony to request to be deputized. Your information can be collected over the phone. You will be contacted when an oath signed by the department head is ready to be picked up. The cost is $64, and you must present a valid, government-issued ID.

The first agencies to notify of your name change should be the Social Security Administration and the Department of Motor Vehicles due to the identification requirements. Other agencies you may wish to notify include your employer, bank and insurance company.

Marriage License and Certificates

• If either applicant is UNDER 18 years of age, they must first contact the Department of Family Services in Room 203 at the Visalia Courthouse. The phone number is (559) 730-5000. A certified copy of the court order is required when applying for a marriage license.

• You are only eligible for a public marriage license.

If either of you has been married or in a State Registered Domestic Partnership (SRDP) before, you need to know the exact date (month, day, year) and method of termination (death, dissolution, divorce, or nullity) of the marriage or Domestic Partnership. We only need information on the most recent date for each of you. If the marriage or Domestic Partnership ended within the past 90 days, you must bring a certified copy of the divorce, annulment, termination or death record with you. If you were divorced in Tulare County, click here to request proof of the dissolution. The certified copy must have an original court seal and the signature of the court clerk. Certified copies in a foreign language must be translated into English by a court certified translator or American Translators Association (ATA) certified translator and must be presented along with the translation.

A Confidential License and Certificate of Marriage may be used by those persons 18 years of age or older who have been living together as spouses. Documentary evidence regarding whether or not parties have been living together as spouses is not required; however, both parties must sign an affidavit on the license attesting to those facts. You are stating under penalty of perjury that you have been living together as spouses. A confidential marriage in California requires two unmarried persons and a person solemnizing the marriage. No witness is required nor are they authorized to sign the confidential marriage license. The marriage license is a confidential record and is registered at the County Clerk's Office in the county where it was purchased. Only the couple may purchase copies of the marriage license and must present valid picture identification together with the required fee to the County Clerk in order to do so. Persons other than the married couple requesting copies of a confidential marriage license may only do so by presenting a court order to the County Clerk in the county where the license is registered.

In specific situations, if either or both persons are physically unable to appear in person at the County Clerk's Office to apply for a marriage license, a marriage license may be issued. Permissible reasons which may prevent a person from appearing include hospitalization, incarceration or being in the military and stationed overseas in a conflict or war. Depending on the situation, both parties may still be required to declare in the physical presense of the officiant performing the marriage ceremony and necessary witnesses that they take each other as spouses. Call (559) 636-5051 if you have questions about whether your situation applies and the appropriate procedure.