MarriageLicenseCheck.com

Los Angeles County exact answer

Are witnesses required for a marriage 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, a public marriage license requires at least one witness at the ceremony. The license has space for a second witness, and no more than two witnesses may sign — a license returned with more than two signatures is rejected and a duplicate must be bought. A confidential marriage license requires no witness at the ceremony and no witness signs it. At an RR/CC express ceremony one witness must be present at the Marriage License window; the RR/CC can supply a witness for $20. The confidential license is available only to parties living together as spouses at the time they apply, who must sign an affidavit on the license attesting to that. A confidential record is registered with the County Clerk and only the couple may buy copies.

Published rule and conditions

Marriage ceremony witness rule
A public marriage license requires at least one witness at the ceremony. The license has space for a second witness, and no more than two witnesses may sign — a license returned with more than two signatures is rejected and a duplicate must be bought. A confidential marriage license requires no witness at the ceremony and no witness signs it. At an RR/CC express ceremony one witness must be present at the Marriage License window; the RR/CC can supply a witness for $20.

The confidential license is available only to parties living together as spouses at the time they apply, who must sign an affidavit on the license attesting to that. A confidential record is registered with the County Clerk and only the couple may buy copies.

Official requirement

All express ceremonies require valid identification and one witness to be present at the Marriage License window. Any family and friends will need to wait outside. If the couple does not have a witness, the RR/CC can provide a witness for a fee of $20. Confidential Marriage Licenses do not require a witness.

Issuing office

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

Open the issuing office

Official sources for this answer

  • Ceremonies — General InfoLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk - checked July 30, 2026

    All civil ceremonies are by appointment only and must be prepaid. An appointment will not be given until you have your marriage license. The ceremony fee is $35. All ceremonies are scheduled for 15 minutes. Outside ministers/officiants are not allowed to do ceremonies in our chapels. All express ceremonies require valid identification and one witness to be present at the Marriage License window. If the couple does not have a witness, the RR/CC can provide a witness for a fee of $20. Confidential Marriage Licenses do not require a witness.

  • 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.

Open the complete Los Angeles County guide - Browse exact answers - Report a correction