So many preparations must be made before a bride and groom’s wedding day. There are hundreds of decisions to make, big and small ones alike. However, one area that requires absolutely no decision-making is the marriage license. Every state in the union requires a couple to acquire a marriage license in order to legitimize their marriage in the eyes of the government. While it’s not exactly the most romantic thing to think about when compared to flowers and bridal dresses, it is still an important step. If you’re planning a wedding in San Jose, then you’ll need to get a San Jose, CA marriage license. So how can you go about doing that?

It’s fairly simple, really. In order to get a San Jose, CA marriage license, both partners must visit the office of the county clerk to file for one. It’s a good idea to call ahead to the office so that they know you are coming and can process your license request more quickly. Once there, there are a few simple qualifications that must be met, and a few steps that must be followed.
In order to be eligible for a San Jose, CA marriage license, both partners must be at least 18 years of age. Younger people can get married, but they must have the consent of their parent or legal guardian. Both partners should bring a form of valid photo identification that verifies their age. This can be as simple as a driver’s license, or something more complex like a passport or military ID. If for some reason the full name does not appear on your photo ID, then you’ll also need a certified birth certificate.
Those who have been married before must be able to tell the county clerk the exact date on which their divorce was finalized. Furthermore, if the marriage ended within 90 days of the new wedding date, there must be documentation of the actual divorce agreement.
Note that while it was once legal for gay couples to marry in California, this right has since been repealed. Gay couples looking for a San Jose, CA marriage license will find themselves out of luck. There are still several other states that do allow for same sex marriages, such as nearby Oregon and Washington.
After all the paperwork has been filed, you’ll pay a small fee and then it takes about one hour to receive your marriage license. It’s ready for use as soon as it’s been completed. Once you have obtained your San Jose, CA marriage license, it is good for 90 days. It may be a good idea for couples to get this step out of the way well before the wedding date, so it doesn’t get lost amongst the hustle of full-scale wedding planning.
One of the nice things about a San Jose, CA marriage license is that neither partner has to live in the state to get one. This makes San Jose or other California locations a great place for a destination wedding.

Newsletter