Does anyone know how to go about getting ordained for a day? I went to the Santa Clara County Recorder website and it seems fairly easy. Unfortunately, I couldn't find actual details (forms, where, and when to go) or a procedure on how to get it done. It's probably on the website somewhere, but I couldn't find it after much searching (maybe I'm just missing the obvious). Could someone point me in the right direction? I understand it varies by county, so if someone in Santa Clara county could help, I'd really appreciate it!
I did this in San Mateo County a couple years ago. I called the recorder's office and talked briefly with someone. She told me what information I needed, set up an appointment time, and filled out an application. When I went in, I turned in the application, she processed it, and then swore me in. She also showed me how to properly fill out the marriage license and gave me a form with some standard ceremony language. The process was pretty simple.
Talk to someone live over the phone or in person. That will ensure you get the right information.
Also, even easier is for your officiant to get ordained by the Universal Life Church online. It literally takes less than 5 minutes and it's free. That is what our officiant did.
Just call the office. We found most of the info for ours on the Marin County website, but called to confirm some details. The folks were rather friendly. In the state of CA, if you are ordained for a day, you have the legal power to marry the couple named on the date declared and can do so anywhere in the great state of CA (similarly, regular marriage licenses are valid for weddings anywhere in the state of CA).
forgot to mention - we ended up going to Marin County because the fees were much cheaper than in SF and we happen to be getting married in Marin anyway, so we thought it was a nice touch and tacked on our visit to the office on another wedding trip. you can have your person ordained in another county.
For whatever reason, gettin deputized by San Mateo County was free back in 2006 whereas Santa Clara charged a small fee. I don't know if SMC is still free.
Does anyone know how to go about getting ordained for a day? I went to the Santa Clara County Recorder website and it seems fairly easy. Unfortunately, I couldn't find actual details (forms, where, and when to go) or a procedure on how to get it done. It's probably on the website somewhere, but I couldn't find it after much searching (maybe I'm just missing the obvious). Could someone point me in the right direction? I understand it varies by county, so if someone in Santa Clara county could help, I'd really appreciate it!
posted by tbittles 42 posts 3 months agoThe county recorder has to give you the statute or prevailing rules so you can comply. If you could go in that would be best
posted by ju1244 254 posts 3 months agoI did this in San Mateo County a couple years ago. I called the recorder's office and talked briefly with someone. She told me what information I needed, set up an appointment time, and filled out an application. When I went in, I turned in the application, she processed it, and then swore me in. She also showed me how to properly fill out the marriage license and gave me a form with some standard ceremony language. The process was pretty simple.
Talk to someone live over the phone or in person. That will ensure you get the right information.
posted by dmdwed 56 posts 2 months agoAlso, even easier is for your officiant to get ordained by the Universal Life Church online. It literally takes less than 5 minutes and it's free. That is what our officiant did.
posted by secretstairs 1 posts 2 months agoJust call the office. We found most of the info for ours on the Marin County website, but called to confirm some details. The folks were rather friendly. In the state of CA, if you are ordained for a day, you have the legal power to marry the couple named on the date declared and can do so anywhere in the great state of CA (similarly, regular marriage licenses are valid for weddings anywhere in the state of CA).
posted by missm 485 posts 2 months agoforgot to mention - we ended up going to Marin County because the fees were much cheaper than in SF and we happen to be getting married in Marin anyway, so we thought it was a nice touch and tacked on our visit to the office on another wedding trip. you can have your person ordained in another county.
posted by missm 485 posts 2 months agoFor whatever reason, gettin deputized by San Mateo County was free back in 2006 whereas Santa Clara charged a small fee. I don't know if SMC is still free.
posted by dmdwed 56 posts 2 months ago