Gay Marriage - Orange County 🤵‍♀️🤵‍♀️🤵🤵‍♂️

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California became the first state in the U.S. to legalize domestic partnerships between same-sex couples in 1999.  

Then, same-sex marriage became legal in California on June 28, 2013. California first issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples on June 16, 2008 as a result of the Supreme Court of California finding in the case of In re Marriage Cases that barring same-sex couples from marriage violated the California Constitution. 

After many legal and political challenges to same-sex marriage, on August 14, 2013 in a one-page order, the California Supreme Court rejected the last legal challenge to same-sex marriage in California.

On November 5, 2024 California passed Proposition 3 which made marriage a fundamental right to everyone and deleted from the state constitution that marriage was between a “man and a woman.”

Under California law, same-sex couples follow exactly the same steps to marry as opposite-sex couples.

Marriage Licenses 

OC Marriage Services 

Marriage licenses are now available for both walk-in service and by appointment; however, customers must complete an online marriage application prior to visiting any of the offices. Appointments are highly recommended and can be made online.  A marriage license is valid for 90 days. There are no citizenship or residency requirements, nor are blood tests required to obtain a marriage license. Applicants must be over 18 years old.

First, the couple must go to the Orange County Clerk/Recorder's office and receive a marriage license. (Online Marriage Application)

Second, a ceremony must be performed by a person authorized to solemnize marriages in California.

Confidential Marriage License

A confidential marriage license becomes a confidential record, and the only people able to obtain information about it are the couple, except by special court order. The requirements to obtain this type of license are: 

• Couple must be living together prior to the marriage.
• This license can be used anywhere in the State of California.
• The cost for a confidential marriage license is $66.
  

Domestic Partnerships (Civil Union) - California 

California Domestic Partner Info.

Alternatively, you can also register as domestic partners and obtain many of the same rights as marriage. Please seek legal advice to learn more about the differences.