STEP BY STEP PROCESS ON WHAT TO DO TO GET THE LICENSE TO MARRY=(NOT VALID FOR JAIL OR PRISON WEDDINGS AS CERTAIN PROTOCOL MUST BE FOLLOWED)=
1. You both need to physically appear in front of the clerks office, show photo ID and you apply online via computer in their office. 2. ID must have a photo; it can be a drivers license, a state ID, college ID or INS card, as long as it has a recent photo. If you do not have an photo ID, then contact the office to see what they allow but it very possible may be a birth certificate, etc. 3. Once you complete the online process, they will print you out a SAMPLE copy for you to look over and see if there are any errors. BE SURE everything is accurate even in the smallest lines such as BRIDE, GROOM, etc birth dates need to be correct of your parents, etc. and names must be spelled proper....my advice is you check it and then have your spouse-to-be check it as well. If there are any mistakes AFTER they give you the original printed, it will cost you money to have it changed. 4. Cost will be in Merced County $60 for the public license and $70 for the confidential one. Other counties charge different amounts so be sure you bring CASH, as they do not accept credit cards or checks. (prices are as of 2013 FEB) 5. The Confidential license ($70) is one that needs no witnesses to sign and must be used in the same county you receive it from (ie: Merced county issued needs to be used in Merced county, etc) and is not published in the paper while the Public license is $60 (prices are as of 2013 FEB) needs witnesses (1 witness is all that is required but you can have 2) and can be used in any county within California and is published in the paper. . I always suggest the Confidential one as it assures mistakes are not made by witnesses signing but you can choose anyone you desire. 6. If you do have witnesses sign (public license) PLEASE be sure you choose those who can sign well and legible, can follow directions well, and understand English......for if they make any mistake, writing over a letter or number, miss spell, or anything else will be considered an error by the recorder and it will be returned, voided, and they will have to re-issue you another license which has to be resigned again by the minister and possible the witnesses too. The recorders office charges a fee for that re-issue (different counties charge different fees) and I charge a $25+ (depends on how far I have to travel) fee as well to attend once again the office so PLEASE you see why it is important to get the confidential license instead so you avoid these costly mistakes.
If you are doing an inmate wedding, please see additional information under Questions tab as there are more steps you must follow. Thus the above rules change as an inmate wedding has a few more steps that are not contained here.