How to Officiate a Wedding in Sacramento, California

Most folks who talk about destination cities in California don’t start their lists with Sacramento, but that’s because they can’t appreciate the blue-collar grit and authentic American spirit of California’s capital city. Here at American Marriage Ministries, our position is that cities like Sacramento are awesome in large part because they embrace working-class aspirations and make great places for new families to start out. 

From the frontier aesthetics of Old Sacramento to gleaming new office parks and modern restaurants and venues, there’s something for everyone in Sacramento, no matter what your budget and vision. 

We’re as excited as you are about the upcoming Sacramento wedding, but our job here is to remind you that there are rules that govern who officiates your wedding ceremony, and that there are also important things to know about wedding licenses. 

Step 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

California State law stipulates that in addition to judges and a list of other government officials, the following people may solemnize marriage:
 
“A priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination who is 18 years of age or older…”

Once you get ordained with American Marriage Ministries, you become a minister in good standing with our church. That puts you in the, “priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination” category. In just a few minutes, you can be legally empowered to perform weddings in Sacramento California (and everywhere else in the USA). Click here and get ordained with AMM.

Once you are ordained, we recommend purchasing your ordination documents from our store. These official documents could be requested by government officials, and are an easy way to prove that the marriage was legal. They can be shown to couple, other wedding professionals, the venue, or even the San Francisco City and County Clerk may ask for proof of your status as an ordained minister.

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Sacramento County

Congratulations, you’re a minister now (right?)! Performing a ceremony is an honor, and you are taking a role here that is transformative. But doing it well takes some research and planning. Check out our wedding training pages. Over the last decade, we have assembled a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly and that you feel confident up there.

Our website has everything you might need to officiate, from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more. We’ve got even more in our store, if you’re really feeling ambitious. 

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

There’s just one more important thing to discuss here -- taking care of the marriage license. It is the couple’s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license from the Sacramento County Clerk’s office, but just be sure to double check that they have done so before performing the ceremony.

Once the ceremony is over and the marriage license is properly signed, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. In Oakland, the signed marriage license must be returned to the county clerk, or county recorder’s office in-person or by mail within ten (10) days after the ceremony.

To get married in Sacramento CA, couples must apply for a marriage license in advance of the wedding ceremony. In order to get their license, couples must pay a fee and provide proof of identity. Beyond that, the process is pretty easy, but we recommend getting your license at least a few days out from the wedding.

To obtain a marriage license, the couple must appear together in-person at one of the Sacramento County Clerk Recorder office locations.  The couple needs to complete the application form and present valid identification.

 
Acceptable forms of I.D. must provide photo and age verification include:

• Driver's license
• Passport
• Military I.D.
• Resident Alien Card

The clerk recommends that couples make an appointment prior to visiting their offices. Couples can save time by completing the application form online before visiting the clerk’s office.  

Remember that marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, so plan the license and wedding date with this in mind.

The Basics

With an average cost well below most other California cities, Sacramento’s economics let couples get ambitious without breaking the bank (if that’s the direction you want to go). Basically, you’ll find all the big-city amenities you would in Los Angeles or San Francisco, without the pretension and/or price tag!

When we say “Sacramento weddings,” we’re also talking about the surrounding NorCal region, including a slew of gorgeous national parks to the west, wineries in every direction, and wonderful city parks closer to home. 

Most of the regional wineries now have wedding venues, or are at least able to accommodate receptions. 

As the capital of California, and a huge population center, Sacramento can get pretty busy and congested, although traffic eases on the weekends. It’s connected to the state by a train system, as well as the usual state and interstate highway systems. 

For couples planning weddings, we always recommend checking out what public events fall on your planned date. That way, you can make reservations in advance and your guests can make their own accommodations before prices shoot up, because the do! 

Weather

Sacramento's climate is hot and dry in the summers and mild, wet winters. Being located inland, the city is subject to temperature variations. Thanks to global warming and overdevelopment, climate change has triggered annual wildfires that impact air conditions. It’s not a pleasant point of conversation, but if you are planning a late Summer or Fall wedding, check with the venues to see what conditions are like.

Transportation

Sacramento is well connected to the rest of California, and can be reached via airports in Oakland, San Francisco, as well as Sacramento’s own airport. The Sacramento International Airport is located 15 minutes north of the city center. There’s also a number of train lines serving the city, letting your guests get out of their cars if they choose. 

Once in the city, the city is pretty bike- and pedestrian-friendly, so it’s easy to throw a downtown celebration.