Marrying and Sponsoring an American Citizen from California
Listen to this articleMarriage to a Californian
This page describes how to marry in California and how to sponsor your Californian spouse for permanent residence in Canada.
If you want to bring your American spouse or partner to live in Canada, you must then file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident. For more information, please see our family sponsorship page.
Processing Time
If you file a Canadian sponsorship application for your American spouse or partner, this application takes an average of 15 months (as of June 2016). If you are sponsoring your American spouse “inland,” the process will take over two years.
Please see our pages on family sponsorship for more information on the processing times of these applications.
Californian Marriage Basic Requirements
In California, as with all US States, you need to apply for a marriage license and register your marriage with the local (county) authorities. A religious marriage that hasn’t been licensed and registered by the county is not considered legal in California and will not be accepted as a legal marriage in Canada either.
The legal age for marriage in California is 18. If you wish to marry under the age of 18, you can do so if you have the written consent of both your parents. At least one parent will have to submit this consent in person to the county office at the time of your marriage license application.
There are two types of marriage in California: ‘Public’ and ‘Confidential.’ ‘Public’ marriages are marriages that are made available in the public records. They the same as civil marriages. ‘Confidential’ marriages are not made public. A Confidential Marriage was initially created to allow people who were living together but not married to have the same legal rights as publicly married people.
Marriage license fees are determined by the county and each county has slightly different procedures about applying for a license. You will need to make sure you have the right documents for the county you are marrying in. Take your passport and all of the documents you brought with you from Canada with you to the court house. Your Californian spouse needs to present their passport, birth certificate and proof of single status. Appointments are not required.
In California, there is no delay for marriage license; it will be issued while you wait. You will have 90 days to marry.
Documents required from the Canadian Spouse
- Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad
- Original valid Canadian passport
- Original birth certificate
- Original death certificate of deceased spouse if widowed
- Original divorce decree or annulment papers if divorced
Documents required form the American Spouse
- Original valid driver’s license
- Original birth certificate
- Original death certificate of deceased spouse if widowed
- Original divorce decree or annulment papers if divorced
Once you have your marriage license, you have 90 days to have the marriage ceremony.
Family Members
Having children does not affect the application for a Marriage License in California.
County Clerks
| County | Office Address | Phone Number | Cost | Hours | Appointment Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | 1106 Madison Street Oakland CA 94607 |
888-280-7708 | Public: $81 Confidential$90 |
Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Alpine County | 99 Water St. Markleeville CA 96120 |
530-694-2281 | $53.00 | Monday to Friday: 8AM-12PM 1PM-5PM |
None needed |
| Amador County | 810 Court Street Jackson CA 95642 |
209-223-6468 | Public: $65 Confidential: $78 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-3:30PM | None needed |
| Butte County | 25 County Center Drive Suite 105 Oroville CA 95965 |
530-538-7691 | Public: $84 Confidential: $94A |
Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Calaveras County | 891 Mountain Ranch Road San Andreas CA 95249 |
209-754-6371 | Public: $50 Confidential: $65 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Colusa County | 546 Jay Street Suite 200 Colusa CA 95932 |
530-458-0500 | $56 | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Contra Costa County | 555 Escobar Street Martinez CA 94553 |
925-335-7900 | Public: $86 Confidential: $90 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Del Norte County | 981 H Street Suite 160 Crescent City CA 95531 |
707-465-0383 707-464-7216 |
$80 | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| El Dorado County | 360 Fair Lane Placerville CA 95667 OR 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd #108 South Lake Tahoe CA 96150 |
530-621-5490 (Placerville) 530-573-7955 x3407 (Placerville) 916-358-3555 x5490 (El Dorado Hills) 530-573-3407 (South Lake Tahoe) 530-621-7555 x5490 (South Lake Tahoe) |
Public: $61 Confidential: $53 | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM (Placerville) Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-11:30AM, 1:00PM-4:00PM (South Lake Tahoe) |
Placerville office by appointment ONLY |
| Fresno County | 2221 Kern Street Fresno CA 93721 |
559-600-2575 | Public: $58 Confidential: $69 |
8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Glenn County | 516 West Sycamore Street 2nd Floor Willows CA 95988 |
530-934-6412 | Public: $56 Confidential: $60 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Humboldt County | 825 5th Street 5th Floor Eureka CA 95501 |
707-445-7593 | Public: $78 Confidential: $80 |
Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-5:00PM | None needed |
| Imperial County | 940 W. Main Street Suite 202 El Centro CA 92243 |
760-482-4427 | Public: $87 Confidential: $100 |
Monday to Friday: 9:30AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Inyo County | 168 N. Edwards Street Independence CA 93526 |
760-878-0222 | Public: $35 Confidential: $40 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-12:00P 1:00PM-5:00P< |
None needed |
| Kern County | 1115 Truxtun Ave. 1st Floor Bakersfield CA 93301 |
661-868-3743 | Public: $68 Confidential: $80 |
Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Kings County | 1400 W. Lacey Blvd Hanford CA 93230 |
559-582-3211 Ext 2470 | $56 | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM | None needed |
| Lake County | 255 North Forbes St Lakeport CA 95453 |
707-263-2311 | Public: $65 Confidential: $70 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Lassen County | 220 S Lassen St Suite 5 96130 Susanville , CA |
$51 | Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-12:00PM 1:00PM-4:00PM |
Unknown | |
| Los Angeles | Downtown 4716 East Cesar Chavez Ave (Formerly Brooklyn Ave) Los Angeles CA 90022 Avalon Catalina Branch Court Avalon CA 90704 Beverly Hills 9355 Burton Way 1st Floor Beverly Hills CA 90210 Florence Firestone 7807 South Compton Ave Rm 102 Los Angeles CA 90007 Lancaster 1028 W. Avenue J2 Lancaster CA 93534 LAX 11701 S. La Cienega Blvd 6th Floor Los Angeles CA 90045 Norwalk 12400 East Imperial Hwy Norwalk CA 90650 Van Nuys 14340 West Sylvan Street Van Nuys CA 91316 |
323-260-2991 (Downtown) 310-510-0026 (Avalon) 310-288-1261 (Beverly Hills) 323-586-6192 (Florence Firestone) 661-945-6446 (Lancaster) 310-727-6142 (LAX) 562-462-2137 (Norwalk) 800-201-8999 (Norwalk) 818-376-3700 (Van Nuys) |
Public: $91 Confidential: $85 |
Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM (All offices Note:Beverly Hills office closes 3rd Wednesday of each month) |
Avalon office is by appointment ONLY |
| Madera County | 200 W. 4th Street Madera CA 93637 |
559-675-7703 | Public: $50 Confidential: $55 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00PM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Marin County | Marin County Civic Center Rm. 234 3501 Civic Center Drive San Rafael CA 94903 |
415-473-6772 | Public: $85 Confidential: $93>strong> |
Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-3:30PM | None needed |
| Mariposa County | 5100 Bullion St. & 10th Mariposa CA 95338 |
209-966-2007 | Public: $60 Confidential: $65 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Mendocino County | 501 Low Gap Road Room 1020 Ukiah CA 95482 |
707-234-6822 | Public: $85 Confidential: $87 |
8:30AM-5:00PM | None needed |
| Merced County | 2222 M St Merced CA 95340 |
209-385-7627 | Public: $61 Confidential: $70 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Modoc County | 108 E. Modoc Street Alturas CA 96101 Room 107 |
530-233-6205 | $60 | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-12:00PM 1:00PM-5:00PM |
By appointment ONLY |
| Mono County | 74 School St Annex I Bridgeport CA 93517 |
760-932-5530 | Public: $50 Confidential: $60 |
Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Monterey County | 168 West Alisal Street 1st Floor Salinas CA 93901 |
831-755-5450 831-647-7850 |
Public: $76 Confidential: $80 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Napa County | 2751 Napa Valley Corporate Drive Building #4 Napa CA 94558 |
707-253-4247 | $83 | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:15PM | None needed |
| Nevada County | 950 Maidu Avenue Suite 210 Nevada City CA 95959 |
530-265-1221 | Public: $72 Confidential: $74 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM | None needed |
| Orange County | Fullerton 201 N. Harbor Blvd (NW corner of Amerige and Harbor Blvd) Fullerton, CA 92832 Laguna Laguna Hills Civic Center 24031 El Toro Road Suite 150 Laguna Hills CA 92653 Santa Ana 211 West Santa Ana Blvd Santa Ana CA 92701 Westminster 15460 Magnolia Street (Magnolia and McFadden) Westminster CA 92683 |
714-834-2500 (Fullerton) 714-834-2500 (Laguna) 714-973-6605 (Santa Ana) 714-834-2500 (Westminster) |
Public: $61 Confidential: $66 |
Fullerton/Westminster: Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-4:30PM Laguna: Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-4:00PM Santa Ana: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM Wednesday: 8:00AM-5:30PM |
Appointments made online |
| Placer County | 2954 Richardson Drive Auburn CA, 95603 North Lake Tahoe License Bureau 5225 N. Lake Blvd Carnelian Bay CA 96140 |
530-886-5600 (Auburn) 530-546-1900 (North Lake Tahoe) |
Public: $57 Confidential: $60 |
Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM North Lake Tahoe office only open 9:00AM-11:00AM |
North Lake Tahoe office by appointment ONLY |
| Plumas County | 520 Main Street Courthouse, Room 102 Quincy CA 95971 |
530-283-6218 | Public: $60 Confidential: $65 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Riverside County | Downtown County Administrative Center 4080 Lemon St, 1st Floor Riverside CA 92501 Gateway Drive 2720 Gateway Dr Riverside CA 92507 Blythe 270 N Broadway Blythe CA 92225 Hemet County Administrative Center 880 N. State Street, Suite B-6 Hemet CA 92543 Temecula 41002 County Center Drive #230 Temecula, CA 92591-6027 |
800-696-9144 (All) 951-486-7000 (Downtown and Gateway) 760-921-5050 (Blythe) 951-486-7000 (Hemet and Temecula) |
Public: $90 Confidential: $100 |
Riverside offices: Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM Blythe: Monday and Wednesday: 8:00AM-12:00PM, 1:00PM-4:00PM Hemet: Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-12:00PM, 1:00PM-4:00PM Temecula: Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:000PM |
None needed |
| Sacramento County | 600 8th Street Sacramento CA 95814 |
916-874-6334 800-313-7133 |
Public: $84 Confidential: $95 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM AND 5:00PM-8:00PM 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday of each month |
None need except By appointment only on Thursday evenings |
| San Benito County | 440 Fifth Street Room 206 Hollister CA 95023 |
831-636-4029 | Public: $75 Confidential: $85 |
Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-5:00PM | None needed |
| San Bernardino County | Hall of Records Bldg 222 W. Hospitality Lane 1st Floor San Bernardino CA 92415 |
909-387-8306 | Public: $89 Confidential: $90 |
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:00AM-11:00AM, 2:00PM-4:00PM Monday and Friday: 8:00AM-3:00PM |
By appointment only on Mondays and Fridays |
| San Diego County | 1600 Pacific Highway Suite 273 San Diego CA 92101Chula Vista 590 3rd Ave Chula Vista CA 91910 El Cajon 200 S. Magnolia Ave El Cajon CA 92020 San Marcos 141 E. Carmel St San Marcos CA 92078 |
619-237-0502 | Public: $70 Confidential: $89 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM | By appointment only except 4:30-5:00PM |
| City and County of San Francisco | City Hall, Suite 168 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place San Francisco CA 94102 |
415-554-4950 | $105 | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | Appointments recommended |
| San Joaquin County | 44 North San Joaquin St Second Floor, Suite 260 Stockton CA 95202 |
209-468-3939 | Public: $65 Confidential: $73 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | |
| San Luis Obispo County | 1055 Monterey St Room D120 San Luis Obispo CA 93408 Atascadero 6565 Capistrano Avenue (2nd Floor Atascadero Library) Atascadero CA 93422 |
805-781-5080 (San Luis Obispo) 805-461-6041 (Atascadero) |
$100 | San Luis Obispo: Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM Atascadero: Monday to Friday: 7:30AM-4:00PM |
None needed |
| San Mateo County | 555 County Center 1st Floor Redwood City CA 94063 |
650-363-4500 | Public: $79 Confidential: $80 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | No appointments allowed but Complete this form first |
| Santa Barbara County | 1100 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara CA 93101 Lompoc 401 E. Cypress St Room 102 Lompoc CA 93436 Santa Maria 511 E. Lakeside Parkway Suite 115 Santa Maria CA 93455-1341 |
805-568-2250 (Santa Barbara) 805-737-7705 (Lompoc) 805-346-8370 (Santa Maria) |
Public: $100 Confidential: $110 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM Lompoc: 9:00AM-4:00PM except 12:00PM-1:00PM Monday, Wednesday, Friday |
|
| Santa Clara County | 70 West Hedding Street at First St E. Wing, 1st Floor San Jose CA 95110 |
408-299-5688 | Public: $80 Confidential: $83 |
Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Santa Cruz County | 701 Ocean Street Room 210 Santa Cruz CA 95060 |
831-454-2060 | $90 | Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM | None needed |
| Shasta County | 1643 Market St Redding CA 96001 |
530-225-5730 | Public: $72 Confidential: $77 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | None needed |
| Sierra County | 100 Courthouse Sq Room 11 Downieville CA 95936 |
530-289-3295 | Public: $66 Confidential: $71 |
Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-12:00PM 1:00PM-4:00PM |
None needed |
| Siskiyou County | 510 North Main St Yreka CA 96097 |
530-842-8084 | Public: $71 Confidential: $78 |
Monday to Friday: 9:00AM-12:00PM 1:00PM-4:00PM |
None needed |
| Solano County | 675 Texas Street Suite 1900 Fairfield CA 94533 |
707-784-7510 | Public: $85 Confidential: $95 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Sonoma County | La Plaza West Building 2300 County Center Drive Suite B-177 Santa Rosa CA 95403 |
707-565-3800 707-565-3700 |
Public: $84 Confidential: $100 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Stanislaus County | 1021 I Street Modesto CA 95354 |
209-525-5250 | $76 | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Sutter County | 433 Second Street Yuba City CA 95991 |
530-822-7134 | Public: $59 Confidential: $77.50 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM | None needed |
| Tehama County | 633 Washington St Room 11 Red Bluff CA 96080 |
530-527-3350 | $64 | Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-5:00PM | |
| Trinity County | 11 Court St Weaverville CA 96093 |
530-623-1215 | Public: $49 Confidential: $54 |
Monday to Friday: 10:00AM-1:00PM | |
| Tulare County | 2 S. Green Street Second Floor Sonora CA 95370 |
209-533-5573 | Public: $65 Confidential: $83 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM | None needed |
| Tuolumne County | 221 S Mooney Blvd Courthouse, Room 105 Visalia CA 93291 |
559-636-5051 | Public: $93 Confidential: $95 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-3:30PM | None needed |
| Ventura County | Hall of Administration, Main Plaza 800 So. Victoria Ave Ventura CA 93009 |
805-654-2263 | Public: $98 Confidential: $109 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-5:00PM | Appointments recommended |
| Yolo County | 625 Court Street Room B01 Woodland CA 95695 |
530-666-8130 | Public: $98 Confidential: $109 |
Monday to Friday: 8:30AM-4:00PM | None needed |
| Yuba County | 915 8th St, Suite 107 Marysville CA 95901 |
530-749-7851 | Public: $65 Confidential: $70 |
Monday to Friday: 8:00AM-4:30PM | None needed |
Note: All courthouses are closed for government holidays.
Wedding Customs
Coming Soon
Wedding Food
Coming Soon
Religion
The most common religion in California, like most of the US, is forms of Protestantism; nearly one third of Californians are members of some kind of Protestant sect. However, Roman Catholics make up more than a quarter of the population. California is one of the least religious states in the United States; over a quarter of the population is agnostic or atheist or otherwise does not follow an organized religion. California has the most Jews of state outside of New York.
| Religion | Percent |
|---|---|
| Protestant | 32% |
| Roman Catholic | 28% |
| No religion | 27% |
| Judaism | 2% |
| Buddhism | 2% |
| Hinduism | 2% |
| Islam | 1% |
| Mormons | 1% |
| Other | 5% |
List of American Consulates in Canada
Consulate in General Vancouver
US Visa Requirements
Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to the United States for tourism as long as you are staying for less than 3 months. However you may need a visa if you are travelling for another reason (in addition to getting married).
If you are a Canadian permanent resident, you may need a visa.
Calling California from Canada
The country code for the US is 1, which is also the code for Canada.
To call California just dial 1 – area code – local number, like you would for any long distance number in Canada.
These are some area codes for California:
![Area Codes of California By Rfc1394 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Area_coides_CA.PNG)
- 209: Stockton and central California
- 213: Downtown LA
- 310: Santa Monica, Malibu
- 323: Los Angeles
- 408: San Jose
- 415: San Francisco
- 424: Santa Monica, Malibu
- 442: Palm Springs
- 510: Oakland
- 530: Redding and northeastern California
- 559: Fresno and central California
- 562: Long Beach
- 619: San Diego
- 626: Pasadena
- 628: San Francisco
- 650: San Mateo, Palo Alto
- 657: Anaheim
- 661: Bakersfield
- 669: San Jose
- 707: Santa Rosa and northwestern California
- 714: Anaheim
- 747: Burbank
- 760: Palm Springs
- 805: Ventura and the Central Coast
- 818: Burbank
- 831: Monterey and the Central Coast
- 858: northern San Diego
- 909: San Bernardino
- 916: Sacramento
- 925: Concord
- 949: Irvine
- 951: Riverside
Time Differences
California is on Pacific Coast Time, the same time zone as Vancouver. They are 3 hours behind Eastern.
Calling Canada from the United States
List of Canadian Area Codes:
| Province | Code | Province | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 403 / 587 (southern Alberta)
587 / 780 (central and northern Alberta) |
Nunavut | 867 |
| BC | 236 / 250 / 778 (majority of BC)
236 / 604 / 778 (Metro Vancouver) |
Ontario | 226 / 519 (southwestern Ontario)
249 / 705 (northeastern Ontario) 289 / 365 / 905 (Greater Toronto Area) 343 / 613 (eastern Ontario) 416 / 647 (Toronto) 807 (northwestern Ontario) |
| Manitoba | 204 / 431 | PEI | 782 / 902 |
| New Brunswick | 506 | Quebec | 418 / 581 (eastern Quebec)
438 / 514 (Montreal) 450 / 579 (Greater Montreal) 819 / 873 (remainder of Quebec) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 709 | Saskatchewan | 306 / 639 |
| Northwest Territories | 867 | Yukon | 867 |
| Nova Scotia | 782 / 902 |
Emergency Information for Canadians in the United States
The Department of Homeland Security Traveller Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) in US is a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hub like airports, train stations or crossing U.S. borders, including:
- watch list issues
- screening problems at ports of entry
- situations where travellers feel they have been unfairly or incorrectly delayed, denied boarding or identified for additional screening.
List of Canadian Consulates in California
| Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles
550 South Hope Street, 9th Floor Telephone: (213) 346-2700 E-mail: [email protected] |
|
| Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco
580 California Street, 14th Floor Telephone: (415) 834-3180 E-mail: [email protected] |
Romantic, Scenic and Historic Places
Lake Tahoe
Located on the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe has long been a favourite vacation spot, because of the granite cliffs, mountain tops, crystal clear waters and hiking trails.
Hot air balloon trips and mountain rides are also activities worth paying for.
Monterrey
This area makes for a tremendous road-trip stop, honeymoon or romantic weekend stay. With an abundance of natural wonders, luxury resorts and seafood restaurants, Monterey is no doubt the ideal destination for a getaway.
Napa Valley
The Napa Valley is located in California and has become a vacation hot spot due to its growing wine industry.
The tiered hillsides, wine caverns and illustrious estates make for stellar scenery, and top-class hotels have joined in to receive guests. Scattered between the vineyards, sumptuous resorts cater to every indulgence ranging from golfing, spa pampering, and gourmet dining.
Map of Napa valley:
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara was famous in the early 20th century when the movie industry in America was booming. This city stretches from San Francisco to L.A, and is a haven for luxury boutique shops and world-class resorts that scream opulence.
This is an expensive city so it is wise to carry credit cards, and be ready to spend.
Bringing Your Gifts Back to Canada
