UPDATE: Couples planning to get married in Los Angeles County will face a staggering increase in marriage license fees, effective October 17, 2023. The Board of Supervisors has approved a fee hike of up to 160%, pushing the total cost of securing a license and officiated ceremony to approximately $422.
The decision, confirmed by County Clerk Dean Logan, comes as the office grapples with increasing operational costs that have not been reflected in the previous fee structure. “The fees no longer reflect the actual costs to perform these services and do not take into account inflationary factors or mandated minimum wage increases,” Logan stated in a recent board letter.
The new fees will see a public marriage license rise from $91 to $176—a 93% increase. Meanwhile, a confidential marriage license will jump from $85 to $220, marking a remarkable 160% spike. Fees for county-officiated ceremonies and witness services will also increase, with the ceremony fee going from $35 to $44, and witness services climbing from $20 to $26.
This increase is set against the backdrop of rising wedding costs in California, where the average wedding reaches about $41,000. The fee adjustment is expected to generate over $5 million in additional revenue to help the county address its growing budget deficit.
L.A. County officials emphasize that even with these hikes, marriage fees remain competitive compared to neighboring counties. For instance, the average cost for a marriage license in San Diego, Orange, and others hovers around $100, while confidential licenses average $107. Notably, San Diego County has the highest fees at $129 for a public license and $144 for a confidential license.
This marks the first significant increase since 2009, when fees were last adjusted to $85 and $90. As the cost of living continues to rise, L.A. County’s decision reflects a broader trend of municipalities recalibrating services to meet financial realities.
Couples looking to tie the knot should prepare for these changes and budget accordingly. With wedding season in full swing, the urgency to secure a marriage license at the current rates is paramount before the new fees take effect.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as couples navigate the changing landscape of marriage costs in Los Angeles County.