Same Sex couples should get married before November

To date we have married almost 100 same sex couples since June 17th. Couples have come from all over the US to get married in California since the ban was lifted. Get married now before voters have a chance to change the constitution here in California.

The Los Angeles County recorders office has told us that all marriages performed before November will remain legal and can not be overturned. But if voters change the constitution in November then no more licenses will be issued to same sex couples.

So anyone married between June 17th and November will have legal marriages recognized by the State of California as legal and binding. New York state currently recognizes California Same Sex marriages. So if you wait you may miss your chance to be legally married here in California.

We will continue to update our blog with news as we get it from the recorders office.

Palos Verdes Cliff Wedding ~ Michelle & Ashley

Rev. Dee Leckie married Michelle and Ashley on the Cliff in Palos Verdes. The came to California for a Destination Wedding and had a great time.

Testimonial from the couple:
Thank you again for the awesome ceremony. Everything was perfect! ...
Thank you! Michelle & Ashley

Palos Verdes Destination Wedding on the Cliffs

I enjoy doing weddings at this location. It is a great destination wedding location.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO LICENSES IN CALIFORNIA, THE CONFIDENTIAL AND THE PUBLIC?

I am authorized to issue the Confidential Marriage License for Los Angeles County as a Notary Public. This makes it very convenient for my couples as they do not have to stand in line at the County Recorder?s Office. However, I also issue licenses to couples I am not marrying.

Please call my office for details on this process. In California we have two types of Licenses the Confidential and the Public. The Confidential was originally started for couples who had been living together and wanted to avoid the dreaded blood test. So starting around 1969 many couples avoided the blood test by taking out a Confidential License, stating that they had been living together. In 1970 California began to allow Notaries Public to issue the Confidential Licenses as a convenience to the public. You could still get the other license (with the blood test) if you went to a County office. However, in 1995 California did away with the Blood Test entirely and you still have the option to buy either license.

The advantage now of the Confidential license is that it is a "Sealed" document and only the couple can get a copy of it from the County Recorder. In this day of identity theft, many couples opt for the Confidential License. A disadvantage is that it must be used in the County in which it was issued - this does not mean you must have the ceremony performed only in that county. But, Los Angeles is a very large County and this usually isn't a problem for my couples. So it is up to you to decide which license best suits your needs - both types are available at a County Office - you are just as married with either type of license. Of course if I am marrying you in Orange or any other County (except LA), you will have to obtain your own license.