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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 3Pt. 4Ch. 1§ 503 Confidential License Issuance

§ 503 Confidential License Issuance

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

§ 503 Confidential License Issuance

This law says a notary public can ask the county clerk for a special marriage license that stays private. The notary pays a fee, and the couple getting married pays the notary back.

Key Takeaways

  • •A notary can get a private marriage license from the county clerk.
  • •The notary pays the fee first, and the couple pays them back.
  • •This keeps the marriage record confidential.

Example

A couple wants to get married but doesn't want their marriage record to be public.

They can ask a notary to get a confidential marriage license for them. The notary pays the fee first, and the couple pays the notary back later.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 503 Confidential License Issuance

The county clerk shall issue a confidential marriage license upon the request of a notary public approved by the county clerk to issue confidential marriage licenses pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 530) and upon payment by the notary public of the fees specified in Sections 26840.1 and 26840.8 of the Government Code. The parties shall reimburse a notary public who issues a confidential marriage license for the amount of the fees. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 816, Sec. 25. Effective January 1, 2007. Operative January 1, 2008, by Sec. 56 of Ch. 816.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

confidential marriage licensenotary publiccounty clerkfees

Related Statutes

  • § 501 Confidential Marriage License Issuance
  • § 504 Confidential License Validity Period
  • § 506 Confidential Marriage License Return
  • § 508 Confidential Marriage Certificate Access
  • § 510 Confidential Marriage License Replacement

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 503.
View Official Source