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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 3Pt. 4Ch. 1§ 501 Confidential Marriage License Issuance

§ 501 Confidential Marriage License Issuance

Family Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 501 Confidential Marriage License Issuance

This law says that two people who want to get married can get a special private marriage license if they go together to the county clerk's office and pay the required fees.

Key Takeaways

  • •Both people must go to the county clerk's office in person to get this special license.
  • •They have to pay fees to get this license.
  • •This law started working on January 1, 2024.

Example

A couple wants to get married but doesn't want their marriage to be public right away.

They can go to the county clerk's office together, pay the fees, and get a confidential marriage license instead of a regular one.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 501 Confidential Marriage License Issuance

(a) Except as provided in Section 502, a confidential marriage license shall be issued by the county clerk upon the personal appearance together of the parties to be married and their payment of the fees required by Sections 26840.1 and 26840.8 of the Government Code and any fee imposed pursuant to the authorization of Section 26840.3 of the Government Code. (b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2024. (Repealed (in Sec. 3) and added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 620, Sec. 4. (AB 583) Effective October 7, 2021. Operative January 1, 2024, by its own provisions.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

confidential marriage licensecounty clerkpersonal appearancefees requiredSections 26840.1Sections 26840.8Section 26840.3Government Code

Related Statutes

  • § 503 Confidential License Issuance
  • § 504 Confidential License Validity Period
  • § 506 Confidential Marriage License Return
  • § 508 Confidential Marriage Certificate Access
  • § 510 Confidential Marriage License Replacement

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 501.
View Official Source