Notwithstanding any other law, including, but not limited to, Section 420, a county clerk may issue a marriage license, including a confidential marriage license, or solemnize or witness a marriage ceremony under state law using remote technology pursuant to this part, except for a marriage of a minor, as set forth in Sections 302 to 304, inclusive, or any successor provisions.
Part 5Remote Marriage License Issuance and Solemnization
Section § 550
This law allows county clerks in California to issue marriage licenses and conduct marriage ceremonies using remote technology. However, this does not apply to marriages involving minors.
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Section § 552
If you're getting married in California, you need to show a valid government photo ID and any other documents the county clerk asks for to prove who you are.
A couple seeking a marriage license or solemnization pursuant to this part shall present, in the manner requested by the county clerk, a copy of a valid government-issued photo identification to verify their identity and any additional documentary proof requested by the county clerk.
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Section § 554
If you want to use remote technology to get married in California, both people getting married must be physically in the state. When it's time to say 'I do,' they need to be in the same place in California, but the officiant, witnesses, and county clerk can be elsewhere in the state. It's possible the county clerk will ask you all to sign a form affirming that everyone involved in the marriage ceremony using remote tech is actually present in California.
(a)CA Family Law Code § 554(a) Each member of the couple shall be physically located in the State of California while using remote technology to obtain a marriage license pursuant to this part.
(b)Copy CA Family Law Code § 554(b)
(1)Copy CA Family Law Code § 554(b)(1) Each member of the couple shall be in the same physical location in the State of California while using remote technology to solemnize their marriage pursuant to this part.
(2)CA Family Law Code § 554(b)(2) The person solemnizing the marriage, any necessary witnesses, and the county clerk shall
all be physically located in the State of California, but may be at separate physical locations from each other and the couple solemnizing their marriage.
(c)CA Family Law Code § 554(c) The county clerk may require a couple to complete an affidavit, in a form provided by the county clerk, affirming that they and each individual participating in a marriage solemnization using remote technology are physically present within the State of California in compliance with this part.
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Section § 556
This section allows couples to apply for and sign marriage licenses remotely, using electronic means like email or fax, at the discretion of the county clerk. Couples can submit and receive marriage licenses electronically or by mail. Before getting married, the license must be sent to the officiant and any witnesses electronically or by mail, as the clerk requires. Officiants and witnesses can also sign and transmit the license electronically. If the marriage is officiated remotely, the county clerk can electronically sign as a witness.
(a)CA Family Law Code § 556(a) At the discretion of the county clerk, a couple applying for a marriage license using remote technology may sign their marriage license electronically or by original wet signature. The couple shall transmit a signed, legible copy of their marriage license by United States mail, fax, or electronic means directly to the county clerk, in the manner required by the county clerk.
(b)CA Family Law Code § 556(b) At the discretion of the county clerk, a marriage license issued using the procedure described in this part may be transmitted to the applicants by United States mail, fax, or electronic means.
(c)CA Family Law Code § 556(c) Before the solemnization of a marriage pursuant to this part, one or both of the parties to be married shall transmit the marriage license by United States mail, fax, or electronic means to the person solemnizing the marriage and any necessary witnesses, in the manner required by the county clerk.
(d)CA Family Law Code § 556(d) At the discretion of the county clerk, the person solemnizing the marriage or any necessary witnesses may sign the marriage license electronically or by original wet signature and transmit the signed marriage license by United States mail, fax, or electronic means, in the manner required by the county clerk.
(e)CA Family Law Code § 556(e) A county clerk who witnesses a marriage solemnized by someone other than the county clerk using remote technology may apply an electronic signature to the marriage license as a witness, and transmit the signed license to the person solemnizing the marriage by United States mail, fax, or electronic means.
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Section § 558
This law says that county clerks in California can offer advice and instructions about applying for marriage licenses, issuing marriage licenses, and overseeing marriage ceremonies, especially when using remote technology.
A county clerk may provide guidance relating to marriage license applications, marriage license issuance, and the witnessing or solemnizing of the marriage ceremony when the guidance relates to the use of their remote technology pursuant to this part.
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Section § 560
This section defines 'remote technology' as the audio-video technology provided by a county clerk that lets a couple and others present for a marriage ceremony interact with each other and the county clerk while being in the same physical location.
For purposes of this part, “remote technology” means audiovideo technology that is provided by a county clerk and allows the couple, or the couple and others participating in a marriage solemnization, as applicable, to appear together from the same physical location and directly interact with each other and the county clerk.
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