- What is required to get a marriage license?
- How do we get a marriage license?
- How do I make an appointment to get a marriage license?
- How long does it take to get a marriage license?
- Where can I get the marriage license application?
- How long is a marriage license valid?
- What happens to the license after the ceremony?
- Can someone from your office come to our location and
perform our ceremony?
- Can we have our marriage ceremony performed in your office?
- Can a friend or relative perform our marriage ceremony?
- What is a non-denominational marriage license?
What can be recorded?
Any document authorized or required by law to be recorded, such as Grant Deed, Deed of Trust, Mechanic's Lien.
What does it cost to record?
If documentary transfer tax is paid: The fee for recording is $9.00 for
the first page and $3.00 for each additional page. If
no documentary transfer tax is paid: The fee for recording
is $11.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page.
Additional fees may be charged based on the size of the document, type
of document, and other factors. Please refer to the Fee
Schedule.
How quickly are documents recorded?
Documents are recorded the day they are received by this office provided they meet all recording requirements.
Will I get my document returned?
Yes. Documents are mailed back within 10 working days after recording.
Can I get a copy of a previously recorded document?
Yes. By requesting a copy from this office. Refer to the Official Records Copies.
Where do I get blank forms?
Forms may be available at stationery stores and office supply stores that
stock legal forms. Information and forms are also available at the Sacramento
County Public Law Library, 813 Sixth Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916)
874-6012 or www.saclaw.org.
How do I request release of a State Tax Lien?
Questions regarding California State Tax Liens should be directed to the State Franchise Tax Board at (800) 852-5711 or (916) 845-4350. Also see State Tax Liens.
How do I request a Certificate of Release of Federal Tax Lien?
Questions regarding Federal Tax Liens should be directed to the Internal Revenue Service at (859) 669-4954. See Instructions.
What is documentary transfer tax?
A tax imposed on each recorded document in which real property is sold.
How much is the documentary transfer tax?
The tax rate is $.55 for each $500, or fractional part thereof, of the value of real property, less any loans assumed by the buyer.
When is documentary transfer tax paid?
The tax is paid at the time of recording a document transferring real property.
Those cities opting into this tax receive half the amount collected for property in the city. The City of Sacramento collects a separate transfer tax above this tax and, thus, does not receive any of this tax revenue.
Who pays documentary transfer tax?
Either the buyer or the seller upon mutual agreement.
How do I show the amount of tax due?
Each document in which real property is sold must have a tax declaration on the first page of the document. Directions on completing a declaration are shown following this information sheet.
When is realty considered to have been sold?
Real property is considered to be sold when a transfer of an interest is for a valuable consideration, which may involve money or anything of value.
What is considered "anything of value"?
Examples of things other than money that have value are: shares of stock in a corporation, interest in a partnership, real property or assuming the debt of another person.
When is realty considered not to have been sold?
The most used example is a bona fide gift. This exclusion is commonly used when adding or removing a co-signor from real property. Gift must be given as the explanation of no tax due. Other examples include: placing real property in a trust for the benefit of the grantor (revocable trust), distribution of partnership property when the partnership is dissolving, and changing how title is held (from joint tenancy to tenants in common).
Are there any exemptions from documentary transfer tax?
Yes. If the property is considered to have been sold there are several exemptions under the law. These exemptions relate to specific causes of real property transfers and are infrequently used.
Are there any other requirements?
Yes. Each document transferring an interest in real property must clearly state, on its face, if the property is located in the county's unincorporated area or within a city's limits. Cities in Sacramento County are: Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova (effective July 1, 2003), and Sacramento.
Where can I go to get help in determining the amount of tax due?
Contact a real estate or legal professional. Or, call our offices at (916)
874-6334.
(A) Enter the amount of tax due. Tax amount must be
divisible by $.55.
(B1) or you must check either item B1 or B2. If you
are claiming no tax due,
(B2) then provide an explanation below the tax
declaration.
(C) Person making the declaration must sign here.
NOTE: If tax under (A) is $0, you must provide an explanation.
Examples:
- Gift
- Liened to full value
- Exempt under Revenue and Taxation Code:____________________
(Fill In Section)
| -General Requirements- |
| Parties to the marriage must appear together in person when the license is issued |
| Parties must present valid, government-issued photo identification |
| If either party has divorced within the past 90 days, a copy of the final decree that indicates the exact dissolution date must be presented. |
| PUBLIC LICENSE |
CONFIDENTIAL LICENSE |
| If either party is not 18 years old, parental consent and Superior Court approval is required prior to issuing the license. Please contact our office at (916) 874-6131 for further information |
Both parties must be at least 18 years old and must be living together as a married couple. |
| Ceremony can be performed anywhere in California. |
Ceremony must be performed in county where license is issued. |
| One witness is required. |
No witness is required. |
| License is a public record; any member of the general public may purchase certified copies. |
License is not open to public examination; certified copies may be purchased only by one of the parties to the marriage. |
| Current fee is $82.00. |
Current fee is $94.00. |
How do we get a marriage license?
The couple must appear together in person at our office to purchase the marriage license. We recommend making an appointment to obtain your license. An appointment saves time by ensuring you’ll be assisted promptly when you come to our office, as walk-ins may wait as long as 2 hours.
How do I make an appointment to get a marriage license?
Schedule an appointment online 24 hours a day, 7 days at week, through our Online Appointment Calendar, or call our office between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) at (916) 874-6131.
How long does it take to get a marriage license?
Marriage licenses are issued on the day of your appointment. The average appointment lasts approximately 30 minutes. To save time, we recommend you complete the application before your visit.
Where can I get the marriage license application?
The marriage license application may be completed in our office or online at Marriage License Application. The online application will take about 10 minutes to complete. Be sure to click "Submit" on the final page of the application. A confirmation message will then display to inform that "You have successfully completed your Online Marriage Application."
How long is a marriage license valid?
The marriage license is only valid for 90 days from the date issued. If
not used within 90 days, a new license must be obtained.
What happens to the license after the ceremony?
After the ceremony, the license is completed by the person performing
the ceremony and is returned to our office. It is required that the license
be returned within 10 days after the ceremony. Once we receive the license
and it is correct, we register the license. At that time, you may purchase
a copy of the license either by telephone, mail or in person. The cost
of the certified copy of the license is currently $13.00.
Can someone from your office come to our location and perform
our ceremony?
Yes, by calling (916) 874-6131, we can provide a Deputy Commissioner of
Civil Marriages to you to perform your ceremony, if the ceremony is held
in Sacramento County on weekends or holidays only.
Can we have our marriage ceremony performed in your office?
When you call our office or use the
Online Appointment Calendar to make an appointment for a marriage license
you may also make an appointment to have a marriage ceremony performed.
The cost of a marriage ceremony performed in our office is $35.00. If our
office provides the witness for the marriage ceremony, there is an
additional cost of $28.00. After The ceremony, you may purchase a
certified copy of the marriage license for $13.00.
Can a friend or relative perform our marriage ceremony?
Yes. For more information, refer to One-Time Deputy Marriage Commissioner.
What is a non-denominational marriage license?
A non-denominational marriage license is a public marriage license offered exclusively to religious societies that do not have an ordained person who performs religious services, such as a priest, rabbi or minister, designated to perform marriage ceremonies.
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