How to Elope in California: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever dreamed of celebrating your love story amidst stunning scenery, surrounded by those you hold most dear, having completely skipped over the stress of wedding planning and budgeting? Turns out it’s completely possible, via a method you’ve almost certainly heard of: eloping.

Elopement has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, and with that spike, its definition has expanded. The term can still refer to eloping in the traditional sense (spontaneously running away with just your beloved by your side) but now, it can also mean having a simpler, more intimate ceremony tailored to you rather than to tradition.

Certain states boast popularity with elopers for a variety of reasons, whether it’s conducive state marriage laws or appealing ceremony backdrops. Ever-popular California fits both those bills and more, making it an ideal spot for your dream come true.

Read on for our comprehensive guide on how to get eloped in California, from marriage license requirements to the most scenic destinations.

Why Choose California for Your Elopement?

Last year, over 200,000 weddings took place in California.¹ This ranks it as the most popular wedding destination of any state—and for good reason.

Scenic Beauty and Diversity

Spanning over 160,000 square miles (and encompassing much of the continental U.S.’s longitude), California holds the crown for the most biodiverse U.S. state.² From the redwood forests in Northern California to the shining Pacific in San Diego County, there’s a gorgeous wedding backdrop for everyone, with snow-capped mountains, sandy deserts, sprawling vineyards, and a metropolis or two in between.

Not to mention, the majority of the state enjoys beautifully mild weather year-round, with both Los Angeles³ and San Francisco’s⁴ climates classified as “Mediterranean.” If you’ve ever dreamed of a beach, mountain, farm, or even forest wedding, California has it all.

Legal Simplicity

Thanks to its relatively lenient requirements when it comes to acquiring a marriage license, California is also considered one of the easiest states to elope in.

You’re not required to be a California resident to marry in the state, and there’s no inconvenient waiting period—your marriage license is valid right away.⁵ All that’s required for your ceremony is an officiant (with one of a broad range of qualifications) and a witness (with no age requirement).

California even offers the option of a confidential marriage license—as long as you and your partner are over 18 and already live together, you can marry without witnesses.⁶

Legal Requirements for Eloping in California

Logistically, California is one of the easiest states to elope in, but there’s still a small checklist of requirements you need to make your marriage official: a marriage license, an officiant, and a witness (or two).

Marriage License

The first thing you’ll need to tie the knot in California is a license to do so. Luckily, obtaining a public or confidential marriage license is a relatively quick and easy process in any California county. As mentioned, you also don’t need to be a resident of California—a California marriage license simply means you were married on California turf.

To receive your license, visit any county clerk’s office in the state on any weekday. Both parties will need to be present in person and bring a valid photo ID (some counties require a birth certificate as well, so research your county-specific requirements in advance).

The cost of a California marriage license is typically under $100 but varies by county and type of license. For instance, a public marriage license in Sierra County costs $66, while a confidential one costs $71.⁷ In Orange County, a public marriage license costs $61, while a confidential marriage license costs $66.⁸

If you’ve been divorced or legally separated, or have a previous spouse who passed away, you’ll need to bring written proof of divorce or a death certificate. If you’ve been divorced or had a marriage annulled within the past 30 days, you’ll likely need a certified copy of the final judgment issued by the court.⁹ If you wish for your marriage to be confidential, you must already live with your future spouse (and both be over 18).

Be prepared with a decision on whether you or your partner will be changing your name(s), as you’ll need to sign your license with your married names.

In California, marriage licenses are immediately valid, which means there’s no waiting period (certain states, like New York, enforce a 24-hour wait).¹⁰ So, once you have your license, you’ve got the green light!

What’s next?

Once you obtain your license, you must hold your wedding within the county within 90 days. Your officiant must then return your completed license to the same county recorder’s office (county clerk’s office for confidential marriages) within ten days of your wedding, so your marriage can be publicly registered. If you’d like to keep a certified copy of your license, you can request one from the county clerk (sometimes for an additional fee).

Officiant and Witness Requirements

Per California State law, the person solemnizing your marriage must be one of the following:

• A minister, priest, or rabbi of any religious denomination
• A U.S. Supreme Court justice (or retired justice)
• A U.S. magistrate (or retired magistrate, or magistrate who has resigned from office)
• A judge (or retired judge, or judge who has resigned from office) of: a court of appeals, a district court, a bankruptcy court, a tax court, or a court created by an act of Congress whose judges are entitled to hold office during good behavior
• A commissioner (or a retired commissioner, including commissioners of civil marriages)
• An assistant commissioner of a court of record
• A Deputy Commissioner, often appointed as an officiant by the Commissioner of Civil Marriages (a.k.a. the county clerk)
• A legislator or constitutional officer currently holding office in California
• A member of Congress currently holding office in a district of California
• A county supervisor, city clerk, or mayor currently holding office in California

Additionally, you’ll need at least one (but no more than two) official witnesses present at your ceremony.¹¹ While California doesn’t enforce an age requirement, your witness(es) must be old enough to know they’re witnessing a wedding ceremony and able to sign their name(s) on your license.

An exception is made for confidentially licensed marriages, which don’t require a witness.

Best Locations to Elope in California

Some of the best places to elope are in California. Your options for unique elopement destinations in California are truly endless. With such rich culture and biodiversity spread evenly throughout the massive state, any couple is bound to find an elopement location that speaks to them.

In general, these gems of the Golden Coast (and its inland majesty) can be classified into three categories.

Beaches

A beach wedding is the quintessential California elopement. Whether you prefer a SoCal sunset view in San Diego County or the breathtaking landscapes of Big Sur, there’s something about a beach elopement that inspires feelings of freedom and simplicity.

Mountains and Forests

California is teeming with rolling mountain ranges and forests of trees millennia old.¹² There’s nothing like an escape deep into nature, such as Yosemite Valley, for an elopement ceremony—and you can’t beat those mountaintop views.

Urban Settings

California is home to many a metropolis, including four of the country’s 20 biggest cities.¹³ If you’re hoping for a classic city hall setting or a state park with a skyline backdrop in Los Angeles, a Californian city is the way to go (and makes for an adventurous built-in honeymoon).

Planning Your Elopement Ceremony

Choosing elopement melts away the pressures of traditional wedding planning, allowing you to focus on what matters: your happily ever after.

But when designing your day, there are still a couple of considerations to take into account—just a few steps in bringing your vision to life.

Choosing the Right Time and Date

The beauty of eloping is the freedom to choose a time and date that works best for you as a couple—whether that’s in a few days or a year from now.

Consider your priorities: Do you prefer a curated crowd of guests, or just your witness and officiant? Do you want time to think about adding extra elements to your ceremony, like a videographer or a band? Does the time of year matter to you? (In California, just about any season will do, thanks to that mild Mediterranean weather.)

These questions can help you nail down your perfect date.

Simple Yet Elegant Ceremony Ideas

When it comes to your elopement day, there’s beauty in simplicity. An intimate guest list means those who matter most will be standing at your side, and just about any California destination is sure to lend a tasteful aesthetic.

If you prefer a city hall shindig, consider the elevated elegance of San Francisco’s Civic Center. If you opt for a forest wedding, choose a favorite tree to tie the knot beneath (and even carve your initials into). And if you’re a particularly outdoorsy couple (or simply value the views), choose one of California’s nine national parks (the most of any state).¹⁴

Consider a California Elopement Package

To make eloping even easier, consider investing in an elopement package, designed to streamline the process (so your day essentially plans itself). With Simply Eloped, the process to book an all-inclusive elopement package in California is simple:

• Choose from one of 15 stunning California destinations
• Select a number of guests (between four and 45)
• Let us know which services you want to opt into (i.e. elopement photographer, flowers, hair/makeup)

Then, we take care of the rest!

Achieve Your California Dreams With Simply Eloped

Eloping is a fantasy held dear to many a pair of lovebirds (ideally somewhere beautiful, surrounded by those who matter most). In gorgeous California, that dream could become a reality sooner than you’d think, thanks to relatively lax marriage license restrictions, year-round sunshine, and a wealth of unique destinations—from city centers to mountain peaks and the golden coastline.

If you find yourself California dreaming, let Simply Eloped bring your vision to life. Our unique elopement packages span 15 of California’s most magical destinations, from San Francisco to San Diego, with stops along the way at Big Sur, Yosemite Valley, and Lake Tahoe. Whether it’s just you and your future spouse or you and your 45 closest friends, we’ll create a day packed with lifelong memories—all you have to do is walk down the aisle.

 

Sources:

1. The Wedding Report. 7 Facts About the California Wedding Market. https://wedding.report/index.cfm/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/06/idtype/s/location/California/
2. LearnCalifornia.org. California Geography: Diverse & Scenic Wonders. https://learncalifornia.org/california-geography/
3. NOAA. Climate of Los Angeles. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/14744
4. National Park Service. Presidio of San Francisco. https://www.nps.gov/prsf/learn/nature/climate.htm
5. California Department of Public Health. California Marriage—General Information. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/California-Marriage-License-General-Information.aspx
6. California Department of Public Health. California Marriage License, Registration, and Ceremony Information. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Marriage-License-Information.aspx
7. Sierra County California. Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies. https://www.sierracounty.ca.gov/211/Marriage-Licenses-Ceremonies
8. Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen. Marriage Licenses. https://www.ocrecorder.com/services/marriage-services
9. County of Alameda Office of Melissa Wilk, Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder. Applying for a Marriage License. https://www.acgov.org/auditor/clerk/ml-in-person.htm
10. New York State. Information on Getting Married in New York State. https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/4210/
11. California Department of Public Health. Types of Marriage Licenses. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Types-of-Marriage-Licenses-.aspx
12. National Park Service. The Redwoods of Coast and Sierra. https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/shirley/sec11.htm
13. Britannica. List of the largest U.S. cities by population. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Whats-the-largest-US-city-by-population
14. Visit California. National Parks. https://www.visitcalifornia.com/things-to-do/national-parks/