The Guide to Getting Married in Los Angeles

From spousal relationship license to honeymoon

Los Angeles City Hall Pride Flag at night
Los Angeles celebrates LGBT Heritage Month every June | Photo: Office of Fifty.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti

In a landmark decision on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex partners have a constitutional right to ally, bringing marriage equality to all 50 states. "No spousal relationship is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of honey, fidelity, devotion, cede, and family," wrote Justice Anthony Kennedy in the majority stance. "In forming a marital union, ii people become something greater than once they were."

To help couples tie the knot in one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the world, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board has created The Essential Los Angeles Wedding Guide, which outlines steps to getting married and includes everything from from getting married in court to hymeneals venues to officiants, catering and amusement.

The London West Hollywood wedding gay couple

The following data will help couples navigate the Los Angeles wedding process. From obtaining a marriage license to planning the ultimate honeymoon, this guide is designed to help couples take the first steps towards the biggest day of their lives.

A Los Angeles county wedlock license tin can be issued at i of the locations on this list of Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Branch Offices, weather y'all're getting married at a courthouse such as the LAX Courthouse or Beverly Hills. Before obtaining an la canton marriage licenseor going to the County to get a license or begin planning a ceremony, couples should thoroughly review the detailed information about the union license and ceremonious ceremony process.
Key requirements for obtaining a marriage license:

  1. Show a valid California I.D., driver's license, passport, certified birth document, baptismal record and photo I.D., or alien resident card proving that you are over 18 years of age.
  2. Both of you must be unmarried.
  3. If you were previously married, you must provide a re-create of dissolution/annulment papers.
  4. Pay a public matrimony license fee (or individual union license fee if applicable) of $91.
  5. Pay a $25 fee if you are getting married in a civil ceremony.

Not required:

  • Blood exam
  • Wellness certificate
  • Aforementioned final names
  • A change of name
  • Residence or citizenship status

Acceptable forms of payment:

  • Cash
  • Check (with valid I.D.)
  • Coin social club
  • Credit/debit card

If y'all desire to know how to go married at the courthouse, a civil anniversary is the simplest fashion to get married. Wedlock ceremonies conducted past the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of Civil Union are performed at several branch offices of the Registrar-Recorder/Canton Clerk. The fee for the civil ceremony is $25. Payment tin exist fabricated in cash, bank check, credit/debit card or coin social club, made payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk or RRCC. If paying by check or credit card, valid identification (i.e., Driver's License) of the signer is required and must be presented at fourth dimension of asking. If you're getting married in California, at least 1 witness must be present at the ceremony, unless the couple is marrying using a confidential marriage license in which case no witness is required. Availability of civil union ceremonies is limited, and so be sure to book as far in accelerate as possible. For more information on getting your marriage license and the civil ceremony process, visit here.

For a more elaborate ceremony, L.A.'s gorgeous weather, world-class hotels and spectacular scenery go far the perfect city to host an unforgettable wedding. Hotels throughout Fifty.A. are offering a myriad of boggling wedding packages, read our sectional guide: Unforgettable Los Angeles Hotel Nuptials Venues.

To brand your wedding celebration a truly unforgettable feel, spend your honeymoon at one of L.A.'south TAG Approved Hotels — "LGBT-welcoming" hotels, resorts and B&Bs that meet half-dozen gay-welcoming qualifications.

Once you've checked in, y'all tin can visit i of Fifty.A.'southward many globe class cultural attractions, explore its miles of hiking trails, or shop for everything from deal finds to haute couture. And when the sun goes down, Los Angeles heats up with world-grade dining experiences and legendary nightspots, from Downtown 50.A. and Hollywood to the Sunset Strip and beach communities. No matter how y'all choose to spend your honeymoon in Los Angeles, y'all'll be in a vibrant, welcoming urban center that celebrates your honey unconditionally.