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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 3Pt. 2§ 360 Replacing Lost Marriage License

§ 360 Replacing Lost Marriage License

Family Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 360 Replacing Lost Marriage License

This law explains what to do if a marriage license gets lost or ruined. It says how to get a new one and when you need to do it.

Key Takeaways

  • •If the marriage license is lost or ruined after the wedding, the person who did the wedding can get a new one by telling the county clerk what happened.
  • •The new license must be gotten and turned in within one year of the wedding.
  • •If the license is lost or ruined before the wedding, the couple has to buy a new one, and the old one won't work anymore.

Example

A couple gets married, but their marriage license gets ripped or lost before they can turn it in.

The person who did the wedding can get a new license by telling the county clerk what happened. They have to do this within a year of the wedding.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 360 Replacing Lost Marriage License

(a) If a marriage license is lost, damaged, or destroyed after the marriage ceremony, but before it is returned to the county recorder, or deemed unacceptable for registration by the county recorder, the person solemnizing the marriage, in order to comply with Section 359, shall obtain a duplicate marriage license by filing an affidavit setting forth the facts with the county clerk of the county in which the license was issued. (b) The duplicate marriage license shall not be issued later than one year after the date of marriage and shall be returned by the person solemnizing the marriage to the county recorder within one year of the date of marriage. (c) The county clerk may charge a fee to cover the actual costs of issuing a duplicate marriage license. (d) If a marriage license is lost, damaged, or destroyed before a marriage ceremony takes place, the applicants shall purchase a new marriage license and the old license shall be voided. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 474, Sec. 5. (AB 2882) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

marriage licenseduplicate marriage licenseaffidavitcounty clerkcounty recorder

Related Statutes

  • § 357 Marriage License Return Requirements
  • § 359 Marriage License Requirements
  • § 510 Confidential Marriage License Replacement
  • § 350 Marriage License Requirement
  • § 355 Marriage License Form Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 360.
View Official Source