How to Perform a Marriage in San Diego

Researched and edited for you by trained team members at GetOrdained.org

Has someone asked you to officiate wedding ceremony in San Diego? Presiding over the union of two people is obviously a great responsibility, and it won't be an experience you'll soon forget. As you prepare for the big day, please review this guide to make sure you're up to speed on the officiating process. We’ll explore key questions like what is actually required to officiate, what office you'll need to contact (and how to get in touch with them), and how to ensure the ceremony you perform in San Diego is recorded successfully.

1. How to Become a Minister in San Diego

Before you do anything, your first move will be to become ordained (in case you haven't already done so). How does it work? Get Ordained™ offers legal ordination via the Universal Life Church, and the process is completely free. The ULC welcomes anyone who feels called to ministry, and does not discriminate based on identity, creed, or any other characteristics. You can become ordained online in just a few minutes, right from your device. With this important step complete, you'll have the power to officiate legal weddings! To start the application, follow the link below.

Get Ordained Now

Important Info for Ministers in San Diego

ULC Ordination Accepted:: Yes
Minister Registration Required:: No
Documents Required:: N/A
Minister's Residency:: Irrelevant
Minister's Minimum Age:: 18

2. Learn San Diego Marriage Requirements

Your next action item is to contact the office in charge of issuing marriage licenses in San Diego. Politely explain that you're an ordained minister planning to perform a wedding ceremony in their jurisdiction, and you'd like to know what credentials or official documents you need to show prior to officiating. Below you'll see contact information for this office in San Diego.

Office Address:: 1600 Pacific Highway, Ste 273
San Diego, CA 92101
Office Phone Number:: (619) 237-0502
Office Website:: San Diego Office Website

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in San Diego?

How about you! (Once you are ordained, of course). Weddings have a reputation for being pretty spendy, and couples are always looking for ways to reduce costs. One way to do that, while also injecting extra meaning to the proceedings, is by selecting someone they know personally to officiate. This could be a friend, a loved one, or even a mentor.

Regardless of your relationship to the couple, being asked to officiate is a tremendous honor. It shows that the couple has deep trust in you, and that they find confidence in having you standing alongside them on the big day. It's worth noting, however, that not everyone planning a wedding knows this is an option! If you are close to an engaged couple, you could always present the idea of you becoming ordained and officiating, just in case it hadn't occurred to them.

Average Cost of a Wedding in San Diego:: $38,000

4. What You'll Need to Officiate in San Diego

After contacting the San Diego office that handles marriages, you should have a solid idea of what you will need to order from our website. Based on conversations with our ministers in San Diego, the Classic Wedding Kit is the most popular option. However, your selection may depend on the specific requirements for officiating in your area.

Once you receive the items you need, you'll be ready to officially perform the wedding! If it's your first time officiating, (or even if it's not!) we'd encourage you to visit our wedding training center, which features a suite of resources and tools you may find helpful when preparing for the ceremony.

5. How San Diego Marriage Licenses Work

Once you finish the ceremony, your final (and most crucial) responsibility is to correctly fill out and return the marriage license. A San Diego marriage license is valid for 90 days, and after the document has been issued, there is no mandatory waiting period before the marriage can take place. Please note that a marriage license in San Diego must be returned to its issuing office before it expires.

Remember that this is a legal document, so always double-check all fields have been properly completed before returning it. The license itself can be a bit confusing, so if you need tips for how to fill out a marriage license, please check out our marriage license training page.

Marriage License Waiting Period:: 0 Days
Marriage License Valid For:: 90 Days
Return Within:: Return within 10 days of ceremony

6. Performing a Wedding in San Diego

This coastal city is well known for its mild year-round climate, expansive beaches, and deep harbor water. Fans of seafood and scenic coastal locals will certainly find everything they need here. From harbor skyrise hotels, to luxury garden estates there is a beautiful location here to suit the taste of any couple.

7. What You Should Do Now for a Wedding in San Diego

San Diego is consistently ranked as having one one of the ten best climates in the United States, so it is sure to be a picture perfect day for couples planning a San Diego wedding.

Well that about does it! You are now an expert on San Diego weddings! Even if your ceremony isn't for a while, a friendly reminder that it's never too early to become a minister (ordination is good for life, after all). Go ahead and click the button below to get started.