Confidential Marriages

PART 5 - Section 4

In California, County Clerk’s offices may issue Confidential Marriage Licenses to either the persons in the general public or to notaries public who have been approved by the County Clerk. If the County Clerk issues them to notaries, anyone applying for a confidential marriage would be referred to a list of notaries in that county who are authorized to issue and notarize the certificates.

To become approved, the notary must attend a two-hour training course, pass a background check, and pay $175 per year.

The form you would complete when notarizing a Confidential Marriage License is a jurat, which would also require and oath or affirmation. The certificate is valid for a period of 90 days, and can only be used in the county in which it was issued. Government Code § 8202

California notaries are not authorized to perform marriage ceremonies, unless the notary also holds one of the positions specified in Family Code §§ 400-402, i.e., a priest, minister, rabbi, judge, etc.

If you are interested in doing this, contact the County Clerk’s office in the county where you reside.

If you violate any of the provisions of the Family Code § 500, et seq. regarding confidential marriages, the County Clerk may place you on probation, suspend, or revoke your authorization to issue Confidential Marriage Certificates. The County Clerk will then report such disciplinary action to the Secretary of State’s office, which can also result in your commission being suspended or revoked, as well as civil penalties.

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