Getting Married
in San Francisco
Your trusted Bay Area notary guides you through every document — from your marriage license application to prenuptial agreements and domestic partnerships.
In California, marriage requires both a marriage license and a ceremony performed by an authorized officiant. Only two unmarried persons aged 18 or older with valid legal ID may apply. California residency and US citizenship are not required. The Notary Commander has served San Francisco and the Bay Area since 2018 — we assist with document preparation and notarization at every stage of the process.
How The Notary Commander
Helps Your Marriage Journey
A California notary public provides document authentication, identity verification, and notarization for the legal paperwork that surrounds marriage in San Francisco. We come to you — mobile service available across all SF neighborhoods and Bay Area counties.
Marriage License Application
We help you complete the California marriage license application accurately, verify required identification documents, and notarize supplementary affidavits if needed. The license must be obtained from the SF County Clerk before your ceremony.
SF Marriage License InfoDomestic Partnership
Same-sex and opposite-sex couples may register as Domestic Partners with the California Secretary of State. We notarize your Declaration of Domestic Partnership and ensure signatures meet state requirements — mobile service available at your home or office.
CA Secretary of StatePrenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement under California Family Code §721 must be in writing and signed by both parties. We provide independent witness authentication and notarization — a best practice even though not strictly required — to help ensure enforceability.
CA Family Code §721Marriage Certificate Copies
After recording, certified copies of your marriage certificate are available from the SF Assessor-Recorder (public marriages) or the County Clerk (confidential marriages). We can certify true copies for international use or legal proceedings.
SF Assessor-RecorderApostille & Authentication
Getting married across borders? As an Apostille specialist, The Notary Commander prepares your documents for Apostille certification through the CA Secretary of State, making your marriage recognized internationally under the Hague Convention.
Our Apostille ServicesName Change Affidavits
After marriage, updating your name with the SSA, DMV, and other agencies requires notarized affidavits in some cases. We prepare and authenticate these documents to streamline the name-change process — at your location, on your schedule.
Book an AppointmentGetting Married in San Francisco
Based on official SF.gov guidance. The Notary Commander can assist at several key stages of the process.
Obtain a Marriage License
Before your ceremony, you must have a California marriage license issued no more than 90 days before the ceremony date. Download and complete the application, then bring it in person to the SF City Hall, Office of the County Clerk. Budget 20 minutes to an hour. Bring valid government-issued photo ID for both parties.
Have Your Marriage Ceremony
Your ceremony must be performed by an authorized person under California Family Code. Options include a civil ceremony at SF City Hall (up to 6 guests by appointment, or larger events through City Hall Events), or a ceremony at a venue of your choosing anywhere in California — within 90 days of your license date.
Record Your Marriage License
After the ceremony, your signed marriage license must be returned to the county where it was issued. The officiant is responsible for delivering the signed license. For a public SF marriage license, the signed document goes to the SF Office of the Assessor-Recorder. For confidential licenses, return to the Office of the County Clerk.
Get Your Marriage Certificate
Once recorded, certified copies of your marriage certificate are available from the county where the license was issued. Public marriage certificates: SF Assessor-Recorder. Confidential certificates: SF Office of the County Clerk. You'll need certified copies for name changes, immigration, estate planning, and other legal matters.
Domestic Partnership in California
California offers domestic partnership as a legal status with many of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage. Both same-sex and opposite-sex couples may register, provided at least one partner is 62 years of age or older (for opposite-sex couples), or for same-sex couples of any age.
Registration is handled by the California Secretary of State's office. The SF County Clerk also offers domestic partnership ceremonies at City Hall, which is separate from the registration process.
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Who Can Register
Two adults who are not married or in another domestic partnership, share a common residence, and are not related by blood in a way that prevents marriage under California law.
Required Documents
Completed Declaration of Domestic Partnership (Form NP/SF DP-1), government-issued photo ID for both partners, and the filing fee payable to the Secretary of State.
How We Help
The Notary Commander authenticates signatures on the declaration, notarizes supplementary affidavits, and prepares certified copies of your registration certificate for use in legal or financial matters — we come to you.
City Hall Ceremony
The SF County Clerk offers domestic partnership commitment ceremonies at City Hall. Book through SF.gov just as you would a civil marriage ceremony — The Notary Commander can prepare all accompanying documents in advance.
Termination of Partnership
Dissolution may be filed directly with the Secretary of State (summary dissolution) or through Superior Court. We can assist with document notarization, though legal counsel is advised.
Prenuptial Agreements in California
A prenuptial agreement (also called a premarital agreement) is a legal contract between two people before they marry, outlining how assets and debts will be divided if the marriage ends. California governs these under the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (California Family Code §§ 1600–1617).
Under California law, a prenuptial agreement must be in writing and signed voluntarily by both parties. Each party should have independent legal representation or waive that right in writing. The agreement cannot take effect until the date of marriage.
While notarization is not a statutory requirement for validity in California, having the agreement notarized strengthens its authenticity and helps prevent future disputes over whether it was genuinely signed.
What The Notary Commander provides for your prenuptial agreement:
Notarize signatures — We verify the identity of both signers and witnesses, then apply an official seal. This is the gold standard for evidentiary weight in California courts.
Authenticate financial disclosure affidavits — California law requires full financial disclosure before signing. We notarize the sworn disclosure statements attached to your agreement.
Certify true copies — We produce certified true copies of the signed prenuptial agreement so that each party, and their attorneys, hold an authenticated version.
Witness acknowledgment — The Notary Commander serves as a neutral, official witness to the signing event, providing a clear record that both parties appeared and signed willingly.
International validity via Apostille — For couples with assets abroad, a notarized and Apostilled agreement meets the authentication standards of most Hague Convention signatory countries. We specialize in Apostille preparation.
Postnuptial agreements — Already married? California also permits postnuptial agreements. The Notary Commander provides the same professional authentication services after the wedding date.
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California & SF Legal Resources
Official government offices and legal codes for your marriage journey in San Francisco.
Get Married in San Francisco
Official step-by-step guide from the SF Office of the County Clerk covering licenses, ceremonies, and certificates.
Visit SF.gov ↗Marriage License Applications
Book your in-person appointment to apply for a public or confidential marriage license at SF City Hall.
Get a License ↗Marriage Certificate Copies
Obtain certified copies of your recorded marriage certificate from the SF Assessor-Recorder for public marriages.
Get Your Certificate ↗Domestic Partner Registry
Register or terminate a California domestic partnership and access forms including the Declaration of Domestic Partnership.
SOS Registry ↗Family Code — Marriage
California Family Code Part 3, which governs who may solemnize marriages and the requirements for valid ceremonies.
CA Family Code ↗Premarital Agreement Act
California Family Code §§ 1600–1617 governs prenuptial and premarital agreements, including requirements for validity.
View the Law ↗Apostille Services
Authenticate California documents for international use. Required for notarized documents used abroad under the Hague Convention.
Apostille Info ↗Special Case Marriages
Different rules apply when one party is a military member, under 18, incarcerated, or hospitalized. Learn the special case requirements.
Special Cases ↗