Gay Marriage in California

How do you get one?

Gay marriage in California is legal now!! Wonderful!! That's 2 down and 48 more to go folks. Soon we'll look back and say "remember when gay marriage was illegal everywhere."

Enough of that...let's tell you what's required in order to get your gay marriage in California.

First, as usual, there are some requirements that must be met. This is absolutely normal for ALL marriages not just your same-sex marriage in California.

You need to be 18 years of age
You do not need to be a California resident, first of all
Both of you may not already be married (common sense, eh?)
Both parties must appear in person to the county clerks office and bring valid picture identification (btw, this means the id includes a photo, date of birth and an issue and expiration date.)
No blood tests are needed

Ok simple enough thus far to get a gay marriage in California. Now what?

For a public license:

The marriage license can be obtained from any county in California. Now you don't have to actually get married in the county you bought the marriage license but you MUST get married in California.
Check with each particular county for the fee required.
You have 90 days to have your ceremony officiated otherwise you'll have to get a new license. You, of course, can choose any officiant you'd like.
You must have at least one witness present at your ceremony, but you may not have more than 2 witnesses actually sign the official marriage license!
here is no age requirement for a witness, but they do need to know that they are witnessing a marriage ceremony and be able to sign their name on the license.
Only 1 officiant may sign the marriage license.
Your marriage license is registered at the County Recorder's Office and becomes public record.
In order to get a copy of your marriage license you must fill out an application and pay the appropriate fee.

For a confidential license:

Again, your license is good for 90 days, if you don't have your ceremony by then, you must apply for a new one. You can choose to use any officiant you'd like.
You both must be living together, at the time you apply, as spouses. You must sign an affidavit attesting to this as well.
You must be married in the county where the license is issued.
No witnesses are required at the ceremony and none are required to sign the license either.
Your marriage license is confidential and is registered at the County Clerk's office in the county in which it was purchased. Only the couple may purchase copies of the marriage license, when they present valid idea and pay the fee. Other persons may purchase copies of your license as long as they have a court order.
Copies of confidential licenses are not available from the state office.

Well that pretty much sums it up. Sounds like a cinch. Congrats on your gay marriage in California and please don't forget to send us your stories and your gay marriage pictures! Share your happiness with the rest of us, so we can be happy for you!

ALL Gay Marriages Halted in California

As a result of the passage of Proposition 8, a bill that will put discrimination in the California state constitution by saying marriage is between a man and a woman and therefore same-sex marriage is illegal, all gay marriages in California are being stopped.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear both sides of the case again and will be making a final ruling in regards to gay marriage probably by March of 2009. Subscribe to this site here to stay up to date with what is going on with gay marriage in California.

You don't have to spend $15,000 to $20,000 to have a gorgeous wedding ceremony.

Our ebook Gay and Lesbian Wedding Planning: The Frugal Guide to Saving Thousands on Your Speical Day! will show you how to make the most of your budget for this joyous union of love.