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Fullerton, California Wedding Guide

Become a Wedding Officiant in Fullerton as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in California, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.

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How to Officiate a Wedding in Fullerton, California

If you’re from Fullerton, you already know that Downtown Fullerton is the perfect place to spend Friday or Saturday night walking around and bar hopping, with all of its fun breweries, coffee shops and restaurants. But Fullerton is also an ideal spot to plan a wedding, with plenty of venues and catering companies in the area to choose from.

 

If you’re getting married in Orange County or you’ve been asked to officiate a wedding in the area, then you’ve come to the right place. Right here in our guide, we have all the need-to-know info about how to get married in Fullerton -- plus, some extra tips to help you make sure your wedding day goes smoothly. 
 




California Wedding Tips and Tricks

Become a Wedding Officiant

For The
Wedding Officiant

Step 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

 

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to California law, “a marriage may be solemnized by a priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination who is 18 years of age or older.”
 
If you do not fall into any of these categories, no sweat. You can get ordained with AMM to fall within the priest or minister category. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.

 

The California government does not license, register, or certify ministers or wedding officiants, so once you’re signed up with us, you’re ready to start performing wedding ceremonies!

 

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Orange County

 

Now that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly. 

 

Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to  brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.


Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

 

When it comes to the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain it from the county clerk’s office, but just be sure to double check that they have a valid marriage license before you perform the ceremony. After the ceremony, be sure to help them complete it and notarize it correctly.

 

Then, you’ll need to return the completed marriage license to the county clerk recorder’s office within 10 days of the wedding.



California Wedding

How To Get Married in Fullerton

For The
Couple

Now let’s turn our attention to the couple’s responsibilities.
 
Contact the Orange County Records Department to schedule an appointment.
 
When you go to your appointment, just remember to bring:
 

  • Valid, government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
  • A personal check, money order, or cashier’s check made out to “OC Clerk-Recorder” for $61
  • Divorce decree (if either party has been divorced in the last 90 days)

 
If you have brought all the required documentation, you will be issued your marriage license that same day. Then, you can get married anytime within the next 90 days.

Orange County Marriage License Info

Important Facts to know before filing for a marriage license in Fullerton, California.

Issuance Office: The Honda Center: 2695 E Katella Ave

Fee: $61 

Waiting Period: None

Expiration: 90 days

Return: By officiant within 10 days

Fullerton Wedding Tips and Tricks

Wedding Venue and Planning Tips

For The Couple
& Officiant

The Basics

 

You don’t have to head to Long Beach or downtown LA to find an awesome venue in Orange County. DTF is packed with options.

 

You can get married at The Spring Field Banquet Center, a historic Mission/Spanish Revival style building listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Or for something more modern, check out the RSVP Event Space. Its brick walls, funky furniture, greenery and wall art make for maximum charm. Or you might like The Classic Fullerton Ballroom, located on the second floor of the historic Williams Building across from the Fullerton Train Station. Or for something a little more unique, check out the Fullerton Arboretum. It’s perfect for large receptions or smaller, intimate gatherings.

 

But before you make a commitment with a venue, just remember to check some local events calendars in Fullerton to make sure there are no major events overlapping with your big day. You don’t want your guests to end up stuck in traffic on the same day as a local charity run!

 

Transportation

 

It’s easiest to get around Fullerton by car, but if you’re coming in from out of town and you can’t be bothered to splurge on a rental, your best bet is to utilize Lyft or Uber during your stay. Public transportation is an option, but routes are limited, so it may take you some time to get around town via OCTA.

 

Weather

 

Because of the great weather in coastal Orange County, you can pick a date anytime between March and November and expect to have a beautiful wedding day in Fullerton. Rainy days happen occasionally from December through February, with daily highs averaging in the low 60s. It’s always worth investing in wedding insurance to make sure that you're covered in the rare case of any inclimate weather or any other unexpected occurrences.




Fullerton Officiant FAQ

Fullerton Officiant & Couples FAQ

For The Couple
& Officiant


Are Internet ministers legal in California?
Yes, ministers that have been ordained through online ministries are recognized in California.
 
Do I need to register my ministerial credentials with the state?
No, California does not license or approve ministers. Once you have become ordained with us, you are free to start officiating weddings in the state!
 
Can we get married outside of Orange County?
Yes. If you obtain a marriage license from Orange County, you can use the license to get married anywhere in the state of California.
 
How long do we have to wait before we can use our marriage license?
In California, there is no waiting period. Once you have been issued your marriage license, you can get married the very same day. Also remember, the marriage license expires 90 days after issuance.
 
What should we do with our marriage license after the wedding?
It’s the officiant’s responsibility to return it to the county clerk’s office so it can be recorded.


 

OFFICIANT CEREMONY
PREPARATION IN

Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course

Learn from the Pros to Officiate with Confidence!

Will You Marry Us? Gift Package

Who Will Officiate Your Wedding?

Choose Your Officiant with our "Will You Marry Us?" Gift Package.

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Our premiere package contains everyting you need to officiate like a pro.

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

It's finally here! Timeless scripts and heartfelt vow inspiration to bring life to your ceremony.

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Checkout the AMM Blog

Stay up-to-date with the latest wedding industry trends.

Read our sample wedding ceremony scripts online

Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts

Need inspiration? Check out our free ceremony scripts!

Wedding Officiant Training

Wedding Officiant Training

Everything you need to know to officiate.

Take Our Quiz

Test your understanding of California Marriage Laws.

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WITH AMM

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