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Los Angeles County exact answer

Can a minor apply for a marriage license in Los Angeles County?

This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.

Direct answer

In Los Angeles County, an applicant under 18 must provide a notarised parent or guardian consent statement and an order from the Superior Court granting the minor permission to obtain a marriage license. Emancipated minors are not exempt from this process, and a minor may not obtain a confidential marriage license.

Published rule and conditions

Minor applicant rule
An applicant under 18 must provide a notarised parent or guardian consent statement and an order from the Superior Court granting the minor permission to obtain a marriage license. Emancipated minors are not exempt from this process, and a minor may not obtain a confidential marriage license.
Applies in some cases

A person "Under 18" must provide a Notarized Parent or Guardian Consent Statement and an order from the Superior Court granting the minor permission to obtain a marriage license.

Issuing office

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

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Official sources for this answer

  • EligibilityLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk - checked July 30, 2026

    To obtain a marriage license in Los Angeles County both parties must be present together and provide "Proof of Identity" and age documents (photo and age verification is mandatory). Acceptable forms of I.D. are: Driver's license / Passport / Alien resident card. All documents must be in English. Documents that have expired will not be accepted. Certified copy of a divorce or the dissolution of a previous marriage is required if the event occurred within the last two years or less. There is no residence or citizenship status requirement. Proxy marriages are not legal. A blood test and health certificate are not required to obtain a marriage license. A person "Under 18" must provide a Notarized Parent or Guardian Consent Statement and an order from the Superior Court granting the minor permission to obtain a marriage license.

  • Types of Marriage LicensesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Records - checked July 26, 2026

    Public Marriage License: You must be at least 18 years old. Persons under 18 with written consent from at least one parent (or legal guardian) AND permission from a California Superior Court Judge may marry. Emancipated minors are NOT exempt from this process. You are not required to get married in the county where you purchase the public marriage license; however, you must be married in California. You must file the license in the county where it was purchased. You must have at least one witness present at your ceremony. The license contains a place for two witnesses if you prefer. You may NOT have more than two witnesses sign the official marriage license. Confidential Marriage License: The participating parties must be at least 18 years old. Minors may NOT purchase a confidential marriage license. The participating parties must be living together as spouses at the time they apply for the marriage license, and must sign an affidavit on the license attesting to those facts. No witnesses are required to be at the ceremony, AND no witnesses sign on the marriage license.

Answer boundary

MarriageLicenseCheck is an independent reference, not the issuing office or legal advice. Applicant facts, timing, prior marriages, and document type can change the result. The official office decides what it will accept.

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