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Once the excitement of the engagement has settled a bit it’s time to get to planning your perfect day! But before you can share your first married kiss against the backdrop of one of our beautiful San Diego locations, you’ll have to get a county of San Diego marriage license first. This can seem extra complicated if you’re not from San Diego or the state of California, but it’s a lot simpler than you might think. We’re always here to help you through the process or answer any questions you may have!
The ID you bring along must have your photograph, your complete legal name, your date of birth, the date of issue, and a date of expiration. A few examples of acceptable identification include a valid driver’s license, passport, naturalization certificate, resident alien card or military ID. If your form of photo ID does not include your full legal name you must also bring along a certified copy of your birth certificate or social security card that does show your full name. Applicants for a marriage license in San Diego county must be at least 18 years of age.
Part of the Cactus Collective Weddings service is that your officiant will notify the County Clerks Office of your marriage and lodge the post-ceremony paperwork. It can then take up to three weeks from the time the marriage license was returned to the records office for the official marriage certificate to be completed.
Getting copies of your marriage certificate is simple. Order them online through the San Diego County Clerk website.
There is a ton of fun hustle and bustle surrounding your wedding. Obtaining your marriage license shouldn’t be a drag on your good time! Obtaining a marriage license in San Diego county or Las Vegas might seem complicated if you’ve never done it before, but our Cactus Collective Weddings professionals are here to help with the information you need.
Obtaining your wedding license in Las Vegas is similar to the process required in San Diego with a couple of subtle differences. Similarities include:
As for differences, a couple must be married within 90 days of obtaining a marriage license in San Diego while couples in Las Vegas have up to 1 year. Additionally, San Diego allows you to file for your name change at the time you file for your license, while it’s a bit different in Las Vegas. A Las Vegas marriage license must first be signed and filed at the County Clerk’s office after the wedding. After filing, then the couple will wait about 10 days to obtain their certified copy. Once the certified copy comes in it can be taken to the Social Security office to begin the name change process.
With simple instructions, getting that marriage license is a breeze!
McKenzi Taylor is America’s go-to elopement and micro wedding expert, often featured in small and major media outlets, such as the New York Times. With over 15 years of wedding photography experience, it was after planning her own Las Vegas elopement in 2016 that McKenzi felt her purpose shift into elopement coordination. She started Cactus Collective Weddings soon after in 2017. Since then, she’s become a WIPA board member, and has helped well over 1000 couples get hitched in style around Las Vegas, San Diego and Black Hills.
