Virtual marriage services now available in Orange County, CA

Virtual marriage services are now available by appointment in Orange County, California.

 

The Orange County Clerk-Recorder office is offering virtual marriage license and ceremony appointments to qualifying couples to help reduce crowding in the office, as the number of new cases of COVID-19 continues to rise in the county. 

 

These appointments will be available in limited numbers, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

 

During a virtual appointment, engaged couples will meet with a clerk using video-conference technology (like Zoom or Skype) to apply for their license and take their vows, and a marriage license will be completed and transmitted by email. The requirements for virtual appointments are listed below. 

 

In-person marriage services are still available in Orange County, by walk-in or by appointment, but couples must complete an online marriage application before making an in-person visit. 

 

To schedule a virtual marriage services appointment with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder, head to the Marriage License & Ceremony Appointment online portal.

 

For more information, visit OCRecorder.com or call (714) 834-2500.

 

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Virtual marriage services are allowed in California following the addition of a new laws to the California Family Code, Part 5. Remote Marriage License Issuance and Solemnization § 550 - 562, which were approved by the Governor last October. 

 

Related: California legislators vote yes on online civil ceremonies and virtual marriage license appointments

 

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Requirements for a virtual appointment: 

 

• The couple must appear together on the same video call and be physically present in the state of California.
• The couple’s electronic devices must have audio and video conferencing capabilities.
• Couples must have two functional e-mail addresses before starting the process.
• The parties to the marriage license must be able to transmit the marriage license via e-mail or other electronic means to the person solemnizing the marriage on the day of their appointment.
• Each person must present one form of valid non-expired, government issued photo identification such as a driver’s license or a passport.
• If divorced within the last 90 days, please provide a copy of the divorce decree.
• If widowed within the last 90 days, please provide a certified copy of the death certificate.
• Couples must purchase a marriage license and have a marriage ceremony performed during their appointment.
• Couples are not required to change their name(s). However, if the couple decides to change their name(s), they must do so at the time of signing the marriage license. Once the license is signed only a court order can change the name(s).
• No witnesses are required.

 

(via the Orange County Marriage Services website.)
 

 

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How to Become a Wedding Officiant in California
 

Friends and family members can officiate wedding ceremonies in California: Become an ordained minister with AMM's free online ordination -- it only takes a minute to complete.

 

 

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You might also like: 

 

• Everything You Need to Know About California’s Confidential Marriage Licenses

 

• New Updates to AMM’s California Marriage Laws Pages
   

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