Marriage License vs. Marriage Certificate

Marriage licenses and marriage certificates are often confused, but they serve two different purposes. A marriage license comes before the ceremony. A marriage certificate becomes the official record of your marriage after the ceremony and recording process.

What Is a Marriage License?

A marriage license gives a couple legal authorization to marry in California. It must be obtained before the ceremony and is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued.

Receiving a marriage license does not mean you are already married. An authorized officiant must still perform a ceremony before the license expires.

At Elopements by Hazel, eligible couples may obtain a confidential California marriage license by itself or combine it with a simple wedding ceremony during the same appointment.

What Is a Marriage Certificate?

After the ceremony, the officiant completes the marriage record and returns it to the appropriate county office for recording. Once recorded, it becomes the official record of your marriage, commonly referred to as your marriage certificate.

A certified copy may be used as proof of marriage for purposes such as changing your name, updating identification, or handling other legal matters.

Who Files the Completed Marriage License?

If I perform your wedding ceremony, I will complete and return your marriage license to the appropriate county office for recording.

If you obtain only the marriage license from Elopements by Hazel, you will take it to your chosen authorized officiant. That officiant will be responsible for completing and returning it after the ceremony.

How Do We Receive a Certified Copy?

A certified copy is not automatically mailed to you after your marriage is recorded. You must request and purchase a copy from the county office that recorded the marriage.

For a confidential marriage record, certified copies may generally be obtained only by the married couple unless ordered by a court.

The Simple Difference

• A marriage license is obtained before the ceremony and gives you authorization to marry.

• A marriage certificate is the recorded document that provides official proof of your marriage.

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