Do We Need a Marriage License, and How Do We Get One in San Francisco?

Yes — no marriage license, no legal marriage, no matter how beautiful the photos are. Here's the good news: California makes this refreshingly simple.

You'll apply in person at the County Clerk's office (San Francisco's is right inside City Hall, conveniently), bring valid photo ID, and pay the license fee. California has no waiting period and no blood test requirement, so you can technically get your license and get married the very same day.

You'll choose between a public license (requires at least one witness, becomes part of the public record) or a confidential license (no witness required, but both of you must already be living together, and the record isn't publicly searchable). Most City Hall couples I work with go with the public license, since City Hall ceremonies are often already witnessed by staff or a friend who tagged along.

One detail that trips people up: the marriage license itself is separate from booking your ceremony appointment. You'll want to apply for your license before your ceremony date, ideally a few days ahead so there's no scrambling that morning.

We've photographed dozens of City Hall mornings and know the flow inside and out — happy to walk you through the exact order of operations when you book with us.