The California Vs116 form is a legal document used to declare a marriage that has been solemnized but lacks an official record. This form requires detailed personal information from both parties, including names, dates of birth, and previous marriage history. Completing this form accurately is essential for establishing a permanent record of the marriage in California.
To ensure your marriage is officially recognized, fill out the California Vs116 form by clicking the button below.
The California VS116 form plays a crucial role in the marriage process for couples in the Golden State. This form serves as both a license and a certificate of declaration of marriage, ensuring that all necessary information is collected and documented accurately. It requires personal details from both the groom and bride, including their names, birthdates, and places of birth. Additionally, it asks for information about previous marriages, if applicable, along with the names of parents. Importantly, the form must be completed legibly, using dark ink only, with no alterations or whiteouts. Once filled out, it must be signed by both parties, affirming their commitment to each other and their understanding of the legal implications of the document. Witness signatures are also required, further validating the ceremony. The VS116 form is essential for establishing a legally recognized marriage in California and is a critical step in the journey of many couples as they embark on their new life together.
Groom Bride
FIRST PERSON DATA
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE OF
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
MUST BE LEGIBLE – MAKE NO ERASURES, WHITEOUTS, OR OTHER ALTERATIONS
STATE FILE NUMBER
USE DARK INK ONLY
LOCAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
1A. FIRST NAME
1B. MIDDLE
1C. CURRENT LAST
1D. LAST NAME AT BIRTH (IF DIFFERENT THAN 1C)
2. DATE OF BIRTH (MM/DD/CCYY)
3. STATE/COUNTRY OF BIRTH
4. #PREV. MARRIAGES/SRDP
5A. LAST MARRIAGE/SRDP ENDED BY:
5B. DATE ENDED (MM/DD/CCYY)
DEATH DISSO ANNULMENT TERM SRDP
N/A
6. ADDRESS
7. CITY
8. STATE/COUNTRY
9. ZIP CODE
10A. FULL BIRTH NAME OF FATHER/PARENT
10B. STATE OF BIRTH (IF OUTSIDE U.S. ENTER COUNTRY)
11A. FULL BIRTH NAME OF MOTHER/PARENT
11B. STATE OF BIRTH (IF OUTSIDE U.S. ENTER COUNTRY)
12A. FIRST NAME
12B. MIDDLE
SECOND PERSON DATA
AFFIDAVIT
12C. CURRENT LAST
12D. LAST NAME AT BIRTH (IF DIFFERENT THAN 12C)
13. DATE OF BIRTH (MM/DD/CCYY)
14. STATE/COUNTRY OF BIRTH
15. # PREV. MARRIAGES/SRDP
16A. LAST MARRIAGE/SRDP ENDED BY:
16B. DATE ENDED (MM/DD/CCYY)
DEATH
DISSO ANNULMENT TERM SRDP
17. ADDRESS
18. CITY
19. STATE/COUNTRY
20. ZIP CODE
21A. FULL BIRTH NAME OF FATHER/PARENT
21B. STATE OF BIRTH (IF OUTSIDE U.S. ENTER COUNTRY)
22A. FULL BIRTH NAME OF MOTHER/PARENT
22B. STATE OF BIRTH (IF OUTSIDE U.S. ENTER COUNTRY)
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT THE FOREGOING INFORMATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF. WE FURTHER DECLARE THAT WE ARE PRESENTLY MARRIED TO EACH OTHER, THAT A CALIFORNIA MARRIAGE LICENSE WAS OBTAINED PRIOR TO THE CEREMONY, AND THAT THE CEREMONY OCCURRED IN CALIFORNIA. WE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FAMILY CODE SECTION 358 AND HEREBY APPLY FOR A LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE OF DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE.
23. SIGNATURE OF PERSON LISTED IN FIELDS 1A-1D
24. SIGNATURE OF PERSON LISTED IN FIELDS 12A-12D
LICENSE TO MARRY
CERTIFICATION
OF MARRIAGE
TO THE MARRIAGE
REQUIRED)
WITNESSES
(TWO
I, THE UNDERSIGNED, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE-NAMED PARTIES HAVE PERSONALLY APPEARED BEFORE ME AND PROVED TO ME ON THE BASIS OF SATISFACTORY EVIDENCE TO BE THE PERSONS CLAIMED, HAVE DECLARED THAT THEY MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW, AND HAVE PAID THE FEES PRESCRIBED BY LAW. THESE REQUIREMENTS HAVING BEEN MET, I HEREBY ISSUE THE LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE OF DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE.
25A. ISSUE DATE (MM/DD/CCYY)
25B. EXPIRES AFTER (MM/DD/CCYY)
25C. NAME OF COUNTY CLERK
25D. SIGNATURE OF CLERK OR DEPUTY CLERK
BY
25E. MARRIAGE LICENSE NUMBER
25F. COUNTY OF ISSUE
25G. RETURN COMPLETED MARRIAGE LICENSE TO (INCLUDE ADDRESS):
WE, THE ABOVE-NAMED PARTIES, DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THAT WE WERE JOINED IN MARRIAGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AS INDICATED BELOW.
26A. DATE OF MARRIAGE (MM/DD/CCYY)
26B. CITY/TOWN OF MARRIAGE
26C. COUNTY OF MARRIAGE
27. SIGNATURE OF PERSON LISTED IN FIELDS 1A-1D
28. SIGNATURE OF PERSON LISTED IN FIELDS 12A-12D
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THAT WE WERE PHYSICALLY PRESENT AT THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY OF THE ABOVE-NAMED PARTIES, THAT WE WITNESSED THE ABOVE-NAMED PERSONS COMPLETE THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY, THAT THE CEREMONY OCCURRED IN CALIFORNIA, AND THAT THE FOREGOING INFORMATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF.
29A. SIGNATURE OF WITNESS
29B. NAME OF PERSON WITNESSING MARRIAGE (TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY)
29C. ADDRESS, CITY, STATE/COUNTRY, AND ZIP CODE
30A. SIGNATURE OF WITNESS
30B. NAME OF PERSON WITNESSING MARRIAGE (TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY)
30C. ADDRESS, CITY, STATE/COUNTRY, AND ZIP CODE
NEW NAMES (IF ANY)
NEW MIDDLE AND LAST NAME OF PERSON LISTED IN 1A-1D (IF ANY) FOR USE UPON SOLEMNIZATION OF THE MARRIAGE (SEE REVERSE FOR INFORMATION)
31A. FIRST – MUST BE SAME AS 1A
31B. MIDDLE
31C. LAST
NEW MIDDLE AND LAST NAME OF PERSON LISTED IN 12A-12D (IF ANY) FOR USE UPON SOLEMNIZATION OF THE MARRIAGE (SEE REVERSE FOR INFORMATION)
32A. FIRST – MUST BE SAME AS 12A
32B. MIDDLE
32C. LAST
LOCAL
33A. NAME OF LOCAL REGISTRAR
33B. SIGNATURE OF CLERK OR DEPUTY CLERK
33C. DATE ACCEPTED FOR REGISTRATION
REGISTRAR
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS
VS-116 (01/01/2010)
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
Refunds CANNOT be given after a marriage license is issued.
You will not be notified that your license has been registered. You do not automatically receive a certified copy. You must request and pay for a certified copy from the local registrar of marriages (County Recorder) in the county where the license was issued.
SRDP = State Registered Domestic Partnership as registered with the Secretary of State. Pursuant to Family Code, Section 298.5(c), no person who has filed a Declaration of Domestic Partnership may enter a marriage with someone other than their registered domestic partner unless the most recent domestic partnership has been terminated or a final judgment of dissolution or nullity has been entered, or the domestic partnership terminated due to death of one of the domestic partners.
“New Name(s)”—Law applying to middle and last names (items 31B, 31C, 32B, and 32C) OPTIONAL: Pursuant to Family Code Section 306.5, at the time of application for a marriage license, one or both parties to the marriage may elect to change the middle or last names, or both, by which that party wishes to be known after solemnization of the marriage by entering that information on the marriage license application. Parties may adopt any of the following middle names: the current last name of either spouse; the last name of either spouse given at birth; a hyphenated combination of the current middle name and the current last name of the person or spouse; a hyphenated combination of the current middle name and the last name given at birth of the person or spouse. Parties may adopt any of the following last names: the current last name of the other spouse; the last name of either spouse given at birth; a name combining into a single last name all or a segment of the current last name or last name of either spouse given at birth; a hyphenated combination of last names. NOTE: The first name of the parties may not be changed on the marriage license. An amendment to the new name fields may only be issued to correct clerical errors, and that amendment must be signed by one of the parties to the marriage and the county clerk or his or her deputy.
PURCHASE OF A LICENSE
All persons must purchase a License and Certificate of Declaration of Marriage from the County Clerk in the parties’ county of residence in order to declare a California marriage which has been solemnized, but for which no official record exists (Family Code Section 425).
To Persons Declaring Their Marriage
The License and Certificate of Declaration of Marriage expires 90 days after date of issue in Item 25A and cannot be used after the “Expiration Date” shown in Item 25B. A declared marriage is a public record. If you are declaring a marriage that originally used a Confidential Marriage License, using this License and Certificate of Declaration of Marriage would then make it a public record.
1.Complete the marriage license using DARK INK ONLY.
2.Enter date and place of marriage in Items 26A, 26B, and 26C.
3.Sign your names in Items 27 and 28.
4.Have two witnesses to the marriage sign Items 29A and 30A and complete Items 29B, 29C, 30B and 30C.
The completed LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE OF DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE must be returned within 10 days of completion by either of the parties declaring the marriage to be registered by the local registrar of marriages (County Recorder) of the county where the license was issued at the address in box 25G. It can be mailed or delivered in person.
PRIVACY NOTIFICATION
Civil Code Section 1798 et seq. requires each state agency to provide this notice to individuals completing this form. The information is being requested by: State of California, Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records, MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899- 7410, Telephone (916) 445-2684.
The information requested on this certificate is authorized and required by Division 102 of the Health and Safety Code, and related provisions within the Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedure, Family Code, and Government Code.
The completion of all items requested on this form is mandatory. Health and Safety Code Section 103775 provides that, “Every person, except a parent informant for a certificate of live birth, who is responsible for supplying information who refuses or fails to furnish correctly any information in his or her possession which is required by this division, or furnishes false information affecting any certificate or record required by this division, is guilty of a misdemeanor.”
The principal purpose for this record is:
1.To establish a permanent record that is legally recognized as prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein for each marriage occurring in the State of California.
2.To provide individuals with certified copies from the records to serve their personal needs, such as securing passports and applying for social security or death benefits.
3.To provide information to health authorities and other qualified persons with a valid educational or scientific interest, for demographic and epidemiological studies for health and social purposes.
4.This information is also provided to the National Center for Health Statistics for compiling national statistical reports.
This record shall be open for examination during regularly scheduled office hours, except when access is specifically prohibited by statute or regulations.
For Official Use Only
Filling out the California VS116 form is an important step in officially declaring a marriage. This form requires accurate information from both parties involved. After completing the form, it must be returned to the local registrar of marriages for registration. Below are the steps to fill out the form correctly.
The California Vs116 form is a License and Certificate of Declaration of Marriage. It is used by couples who have been married in California but need to declare their marriage officially. This form helps establish a permanent record of the marriage and is important for various legal purposes.
Both parties who are married in California need to complete the Vs116 form. This includes couples who may not have an official record of their marriage. The form must be filled out accurately and legibly, ensuring that all information is correct.
The Vs116 form requires detailed information from both parties, including:
It is essential that all information is provided clearly and accurately, as any errors may complicate the processing of the form.
The Vs116 form is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. It must be completed and returned to the local registrar of marriages within this time frame. If not submitted within 90 days, the form will expire, and a new application will be necessary.
Yes, the Vs116 form allows for name changes. Either party may choose to adopt a new middle or last name after marriage. Options for new names include using the current last name of either spouse, a hyphenated combination, or a name combining elements from both spouses. However, the first names cannot be changed on the marriage license.
After completing the Vs116 form, you must sign it and have two witnesses sign as well. The completed form should be returned to the local registrar of marriages within 10 days of the marriage ceremony. You can either mail it or deliver it in person. Keep in mind that you will not receive a notification that your license has been registered, so it is advisable to request a certified copy from the local registrar if needed.
Illegible handwriting: It's crucial to ensure that all information is written clearly. If the form is difficult to read, it may lead to processing delays or errors.
Using the wrong ink: Always use dark ink only. Lighter inks or pencil can cause issues with legibility and may not be accepted.
Making alterations: Do not use erasures, whiteouts, or any other alterations. If a mistake is made, it's better to start a new form rather than trying to fix it.
Incorrect dates: Ensure that all dates, especially for births and previous marriages, are accurate and formatted correctly (MM/DD/CCYY).
Omitting required information: Every section of the form must be completed. Leaving out information can lead to delays or rejection of the application.
Incorrect names: Double-check that names match official documents. This includes the full birth names of parents, which can be a common oversight.
Not signing in the correct places: Ensure that both parties sign where indicated. Missing signatures can invalidate the application.
Failing to include witness information: Two witnesses are required. Make sure their names and addresses are filled out correctly.
Ignoring submission deadlines: The completed form must be returned within 10 days. Missing this deadline could mean starting the process over.
The California VS116 form is essential for couples declaring their marriage in California. Alongside this form, several other documents are often required to ensure a smooth process. Below is a list of these related forms and documents, each serving a specific purpose in the marriage declaration process.
Each of these documents plays a crucial role in the marriage process in California. Ensuring that all forms are correctly filled out and submitted can help avoid complications and facilitate a smooth marriage declaration.
The California VS116 form is similar to the Marriage License Application, which is typically the first step in the marriage process. This application collects essential information from both parties, such as names, addresses, and birth dates. Like the VS116, the Marriage License Application requires both individuals to provide details about previous marriages and their parents' names. Both documents must be completed accurately and submitted to the local county clerk for processing, ensuring that all legal requirements for marriage are met.
Another document that resembles the VS116 is the Certificate of Marriage. This certificate serves as the official record of the marriage once the ceremony has taken place. It includes similar information, such as the names of the couple, the date of marriage, and the location. The Certificate of Marriage is issued after the marriage license has been signed and returned, confirming that the marriage has been solemnized according to state laws.
The Affidavit of Marriage is also akin to the VS116. This document is often used when one or both parties cannot provide a marriage certificate or when a marriage occurred without one. It includes declarations regarding the marriage's validity and details about the couple's relationship. Like the VS116, the Affidavit requires signatures from both spouses and may need to be notarized to verify its authenticity.
The Domestic Partnership Registration form shares similarities with the VS116, particularly for couples who have chosen not to marry but wish to have their relationship legally recognized. This form collects similar information about the partners and requires declarations regarding their commitment to each other. Both documents aim to provide legal recognition and benefits to couples, albeit through different means.
The Application for a Certified Copy of a Marriage Record is another document related to the VS116. This application allows individuals to request a certified copy of their marriage certificate after the marriage has been solemnized. It requires information similar to that found on the VS116, such as the names of the spouses and the date of marriage. Both documents serve to establish a legal record of the marriage, which can be used for various legal and personal purposes.
Lastly, the Declaration of Domestic Partnership form is similar to the VS116 in that it formalizes a couple's relationship. This document requires information about both partners, including names, addresses, and previous relationships. It serves to provide legal recognition and protections for domestic partners, similar to how the VS116 does for married couples. Both forms aim to ensure that the rights and responsibilities of the partners are clearly defined and legally recognized.
When filling out the California VS116 form, it is essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure accuracy and compliance. Below are five key things to do and avoid during this process.
This form can also be used by couples who have been previously married. It allows them to declare their marriage even if they have had previous marriages, as long as they provide the necessary information about those marriages.
Changing names is optional. While the form allows for new middle and last names to be declared, it is not a requirement. Couples can choose to keep their original names.
Filling out the VS116 form does not automatically result in a marriage license. Couples must first obtain a marriage license from the County Clerk before completing the form.
The completed form must be returned within 10 days of the marriage ceremony. Failing to do so may result in complications with the marriage record.
The completed VS116 form becomes a public record. This means that anyone can request access to it, as it is used for legal and statistical purposes.
Understanding the California VS116 form is essential for couples planning to declare their marriage. Here are some key takeaways to help navigate this important document:
Filling out the California VS116 form correctly is a significant step in your marriage journey. Taking the time to ensure accuracy and completeness will help facilitate a smooth process as you celebrate your union.