When did california recognize gay marriage

You may also be able to have your ceremony performed at the county office on the same day you obtain a marriage license for an additional fee. From early court rulings to political battles, and even public votes that challenged the progress, the timeline is packed with dramatic twists that will keep you hooked.

In California, persons who are legally authorized to solemnize marriage ceremonies include: clergy members; active and retired state court judges and court commissioners and assistant commissioners; commissioners of civil marriages or retired commissioners of civil marriage; justices or retired justices of the U.

Supreme Court or judges, magistrate judges, retired judges, or retired magistrate judges of other federal courts; state legislators or constitutional officers of the state; and members of Congress who represent a district within this state.

The road to gay marriage legalization in California was anything but smooth. Your marriage can be performed anywhere in California. A couple can also have a friend deputized to perform their marriage ceremony through a county "Deputy Commissioner for a Day" program.

Did you know that California first legalized gay marriage inonly for it to be banned again shortly after? In the wake of Proposition 8's passage, California continued to allow domestic partnerships. Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages perform civil marriage ceremonies by appointment at designated county offices.

Understanding California’s Legalization of

This rollercoaster of legal changes. The person who performs your ceremony must be authorized to solemnize marriages in California and must complete and sign your marriage license after the ceremony. The marriage license is valid for 90 days, which means you have 90 days to go get married.

It isn't intended to be legal advice, and shouldn't be taken as such.

A Brief History of

The California Supreme Court heard several challenges to Proposition 8 in March[13] but ultimately upheld the amendment, though the over 18, same-sex marriages that were performed before the amendment was passed remained valid. For legal advice concerning your particular situation, please consult an attorney.

The license then becomes your marriage certificate, which must be returned to the same county in which you obtained the license for filing within ten days of the ceremony. On February 12,San Francisco began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Hodges granted same-sex couples the right to marry throughout the United States. In addition, at least one witness 18 years old or older must sign the marriage license. Call ahead or visit the county's website to learn the hours, locations, and fees of the county offices that issue licenses.

The Court held that the 14th Amendment requires states to allow same-sex couples to marry and to recognize marriages of same-sex couples performed outside of their home state. Some counties have their marriage license applications posted online so you can fill them out before you arrive at the County Clerk's office.

The legal order that stops the State of California from enforcing Prop 8 applies to government officials throughout the state. In NovemberCalifornia voters enshrined marriage equality in the state constitution and formally repealed Proposition 8. Same-sex couples have had the freedom to marry in California sincewhen the U.

Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of a federal district court ruling invalidating Proposition 8, which had stripped same-sex couples of the freedom to marry. Eventually more than 4, lesbian and gay couples obtained marriage August 12,the California Supreme Court held that the city lacked authority to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and invalidated the licenses already issued, but declined to rule on whether the statutory.

Incourt rulings in New York and California defined same-sex couples as families. If either or both is younger than 18, different procedures apply. Both partners must go together to the county office, fill out the marriage license application, and present a government issued picture ID and proof that you are over 18 years old.

No blood test or health certificate is required. Call ahead or visit the county website for more information. Massachusetts became the first state to legalize gay marriage in California and Connecticut legalized gay marriage infollowed by Iowa, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Proposition 8, which “provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California,” passed 52% to 48%, by a margin of aboutvotes. NOTE: This document is intended to provide information for same-sex couples who are considering getting married in California.