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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 3Pt. 5§ 556 Remote Marriage License Procedures

§ 556 Remote Marriage License Procedures

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

§ 556 Remote Marriage License Procedures

This law lets couples get married online. They can sign and send their marriage license by email, fax, or mail.

Key Takeaways

  • •Couples can apply for a marriage license online.
  • •They can sign the license electronically or by hand and send it by email, fax, or mail.
  • •The county clerk can send the license back the same way.
  • •The person marrying the couple can also sign and send the license electronically.

Example

A couple wants to get married but lives far apart. They apply for a marriage license online.

They can sign the license electronically and email it to the county clerk. The clerk can then email the license to them, and they can send it to the person who will marry them.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 556 Remote Marriage License Procedures

(a) At the discretion of the county clerk, a couple applying for a marriage license using remote technology may sign their marriage license electronically or by original wet signature. The couple shall transmit a signed, legible copy of their marriage license by United States mail, fax, or electronic means directly to the county clerk, in the manner required by the county clerk. (b) At the discretion of the county clerk, a marriage license issued using the procedure described in this part may be transmitted to the applicants by United States mail, fax, or electronic means. (c) Before the solemnization of a marriage pursuant to this part, one or both of the parties to be married shall transmit the marriage license by United States mail, fax, or electronic means to the person solemnizing the marriage and any necessary witnesses, in the manner required by the county clerk. (d) At the discretion of the county clerk, the person solemnizing the marriage or any necessary witnesses may sign the marriage license electronically or by original wet signature and transmit the signed marriage license by United States mail, fax, or electronic means, in the manner required by the county clerk. (e) A county clerk who witnesses a marriage solemnized by someone other than the county clerk using remote technology may apply an electronic signature to the marriage license as a witness, and transmit the signed license to the person solemnizing the marriage by United States mail, fax, or electronic means. (Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 620, Sec. 5. (AB 583) Effective October 7, 2021.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

marriage licenseelectronic signaturewet signaturecounty clerkremote technology

Related Statutes

  • § 550 Remote Marriage License Issuance
  • § 350 Marriage License Requirement
  • § 357 Marriage License Return Requirements
  • § 359 Marriage License Requirements
  • § 360 Replacing Lost Marriage License

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 556.
View Official Source