Deputy Marriage Commissioner
Important Notice
The staff of the Clerk-Recorder-Assessor's Office are forbidden by California legal codes to practice law or provide legal advice; this prohibition includes giving advice about what forms you might need or how you should fill them out.
Applications and Forms
Authorization
Do you have a friend or family member whom you would like to have perform your marriage ceremony? If so, we may be able to assist you.
Pursuant to California Family Code Section 401, the County Clerk, who is designated as the Commissioner of Civil Marriages for Sonoma County, may at his or her discretion appoint Deputy Marriage Commissioners to perform civil marriage ceremonies.
The Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day Program
Prior to the Ceremony
Couple Must Purchase a Marriage License
The parties to the marriage must purchase a marriage license prior to having a ceremony performed. A marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date it was issued. It is recommended to apply for the Deputy Marriage Commissioner program within the 90 days prior to the ceremony date.
Requirements to Apply
The following conditions must be met by the person requesting appointment as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for a Day must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Know exact location (closest City/Town), exact date of ceremony, and the current full names of the couple being married.
- The appointment is for a specific date and specific couple only. The appointment is non-transferrable.
- Be able to appear in-person at the County Clerk-Recorder's Office to attend the one (1) hour training class held each week on Thursday morning.
- Be able to appear at 8:00AM on the Thursday-training day, within 90 days prior to the ceremony date, to be processed for the 8:30AM class.
- There is no ability to accomodate if you are late for the training, you will not be admitted.
- There is no ability to accomodate an alternate date of training.
- Be able to present valid government-issued I.D.
- Pay a fee of $133.00 at time of checking in for the training class
Training Class Elements
The approximately one (1) hour training will teach the applicant about California's requirements of being a Deputy Marriage Commissioner.
- Topics include an overview of the different types of marriage licenses, ceremony requirements, filling out the marriage license, and returning the marriage license for registration.
- A packet of take-home instructions, samples to refer to on the day of the ceremony, and four (4) Sample Marriage Ceremonies
- The applicant will be sworn in as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner for the upcoming marriage and receive a Clerk-filed copy of their Oath of Deputy Appointment.
Ready to Apply?
- Person requesting the Deputy Appointment must complete the Application in advance of the training date.
- You must know the exact location (closest City/Town), exact date of ceremony, and the current full names of the couple being married.
- Appear in-person at the County Clerk-Recorder's Office for the training class:
- Training is held every week on Thursday morning from 8:30AM to 9:30AM
- No reservations required
- Must appear prior to the ceremony date.
- Arrive by 8:00AM and no later than 8:15AM to be processed for the 8:30AM class.
- Late arrivals will not be admitted to training. There is no ability to accomodate you if you are late. There is no ability to accomodate an alternate date of training.
- Training is held every week on Thursday morning from 8:30AM to 9:30AM
- Provide valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay the $133.00 fee