Planning a wedding means someone has to be authorized to marry you. Here is a plain-English guide to who can officiate a wedding in California and what they are responsible for.
The short answer
In California, authority to solemnize a marriage generally comes from being ordained or invested by a religious denomination, or from holding a government role such as a judge or a deputy commissioner of civil marriages. Many couples choose an ordained wedding officiant.
California does not keep a registry of clergy or verify credentials, so checking your officiant is up to you. If you have any question about whether a particular ordination is accepted, confirm with the county clerk that issues your license.
Can a friend or family member officiate?
Often yes. A friend can be ordained, and some California counties run a one-day deputy commissioner of civil marriages program for a friend or family member. The rules and fees vary by county, so ask the clerk who issues your license.
The legal part is the easy part. The harder question is whether your friend can guide a ceremony smoothly, keep it on time, and handle the paperwork correctly. A professional officiant takes that pressure off.
What an officiant is responsible for
- Leading the ceremony and the declaration of marriage
- Making sure the license has the required signatures, including your witness
- Returning the signed license to the county recorder within 10 days of the ceremony, or the marriage will not be registered
Do you need witnesses?
With a public marriage license, California requires at least one witness, and no more than two may sign. A confidential license does not take witnesses. See our license guide.
What do you call the person who marries you?
Officiant, minister, celebrant, or solemnizer are all used. “Officiant” is the most common term today.
Choosing an officiant you can trust
- Are you authorized to solemnize marriages in California?
- Will you return the license on time?
- Can you write or customize the ceremony?
- What does your package include, and what does it cost?
Hernandez Weddings has 19 years of experience and more than 300 ceremonies, with 32 Google reviews averaging 4.88. See pricing or read how to choose a wedding officiant in San Dimas.
Ready to talk?
Tell Gabriel your date and the kind of day you want. Call or text (626) 675-9904 or book a free consultation.