Solano County

County Clerk




After we get our marriage license, are we married? / How do we complete the process to be legally married? Can I get a marriage license application mailed to me? Can I get a marriage license application online? / Where is the marriage license application on your website? Do I have to get a blood test to get a marriage license? Do I need an appointment to apply for a marriage license? Do I need an appointment to file my Notary Public Oath of Office? Do I need to file a FBNS? / Why are FBNS filings required? Does the County Clerk perform marriages? / How can I schedule an appointment to be married by a Civil Commissioner? How do I become a Legal Document Assistant? / How do I register as a Legal Document Assistant? How do I become a Professional Photocopier? / How do I register to be a Professional Photocopier? How do I change my name (after marriage)? How do I file a Fictitious Business Name Statement? How do I get a marriage license? / Where do I go to get a marriage license? How do I obtain a confidential marriage license? How do I register as a Process Server? How do I register as an Unlawful Detainer Assistant? How do I renew my Fictitious Business Name Statement? How do you get a marriage license if you are under 18 years of age? / How do minors marry? How long does it take before your office can issue the marriage license? / Is there a period of days while the application is reviewed, or is it issued right away? How long is a marriage license good for? / How long do I have to get married after I get a license? How long is the Fictitious Business Name Statement good for? How much does ... cost? / What is the fee for...? How much does your office charge for a marriage license? / What kinds of payment are accepted? How much does your office charge to file a Notary Public Oath of Office? How much is the filing of a Fictitious Business Name Statement? I am no longer doing business under the FBNS I filed under/I am selling my business to someone else. How do I disassociate my name from the business name? I filed a FBNS with a partner who no longer wants to be connected to the business/name. How do I remove them from the FBNS? I never recorded my Marriage License, am I married? My marriage license was destroyed / defaced, how do I get a replacement? What are the requirements for Notary Public Filing? What do I need to bring to the office with me when I apply for a marriage license? / What are the requirements for getting a marriage license? What forms / documents are available on the web site? What is a “Fictitious Business Name”? What is a “Legal Document Assistant”? What is a “Process Server”? What is a “Professional Photocopier?” What is a Confidential Marriage License? / What is the difference between a Public and Confidential Marriage License? What is a marriage license? / Why do I need a marriage license? What is an “Unlawful Detainer Assistant”? What is the process for obtaining a marriage license if my partner is incarcerated at The County Jail or State Prison? What types of payment are accepted for a Fictitious Business Name Filing? Where can I get forms/information on a State Registered Domestic Partnership? Where should I go to get my business license? Which newspaper can I run the public notice of Fictitious Business Name Filing in? Who is qualified to perform a marriage ceremony? After we get our marriage license, are we married? / How do we complete the process to be legally married? No, you are not considered married until you have a ceremony performed by someone who is legally able to perform a ceremony. The person that performs the ceremony must sign your marriage license along with your witness or witnesses, then the marriage license must be turned into the Recorder’s office to be recorded. Can I get a marriage license application mailed to me? No, a Marriage License application cannot be mailed. The marriage license application must be completed online at Solano County - Documents. Can I get a marriage license application online? / Where is the marriage license application on your website? The marriage license application is available at Solano County - Documents. Do I have to get a blood test to get a marriage license? No, the State of California does not require a blood test to obtain a marriage license. Do I need an appointment to apply for a marriage license? You do not need an appointment to apply for a marriage license. Please check our website at Solano County - General Information for current business hours. Marriage license applications must be completed before coming into the office. Do I need an appointment to file my Notary Public Oath of Office? You do not need an appointment to file a Notary Public Oath of Office however if you want to have the bond recorded the same day, please be in our office before 3:00 p.m. Please check our website at Solano County - General Information for current business hours. Do I need to file a FBNS? / Why are FBNS filings required? Fictitious Business Name Statements are required to let the public know you are doing business using a particular name and must be filed within 40 days of the start of business. The only occasions a Fictitious Business Name Statement is not required is if the company has already filed with the State of California, is a non-profit business (must file with the State) or the registrant’s full name is part of the business name. Does the County Clerk perform marriages? / How can I schedule an appointment to be married by a Civil Commissioner? The Solano County Clerk's office performs civil ceremonies by appointment only on Thursday afternoons. Civil Ceremony appointments can be scheduled online at Solano County - Marriage Ceremony or (707) 784-7485. How do I become a Legal Document Assistant? / How do I register as a Legal Document Assistant? Complete registration form (forms are available online at Solano County - Documents) Provide all supporting documentation as requested on the application form Obtain a Legal Document Assistant bond in the amount of $25,000.00 Provide a valid picture identification Pay all applicable fees (see Solano County - Fee Schedule) Submit the completed form, all required documents and valid form of payment in person at the County Clerk’s Office In order to have the bond recorded the same day please be in our office no later than 3:00 p.m. Please allow at least 30 minutes to process the registration. How do I become a Professional Photocopier? / How do I register to be a Professional Photocopier? Complete the Professional Photocopier registration form (available at Solano County - Documents) Obtain a Professional Photocopier bond in the amount of $5,000.00 Provide a valid picture identification Pay all applicable fees (see Solano County - Fee Schedule) Submit the completed form, all required documents and valid form of payment in person at the County Clerk’s Office In order to have the bond recorded the same day please be in our office no later than 3:00 p.m. Please allow at least 30 minutes to process the registration. Note: At least one person involved in the management of a professional photocopier shall be required to hold a current commission from the Secretary of State as a notary public in this state. Proof of current commission is required at time of filing. Please visit the Solano County - Professional Photocopier page for additional information. How do I change my name (after marriage)? To change your name after you have been married, you will take a copy of your marriage certificate (not marriage license) to each place where you would like your name to be changed such as Social Security, your bank, DMV, and other organizations which require a copy of your marriage certificate as proof of marriage. Marriage certificates can be obtained from the County Clerk (if confidential) or Recorder (if public). How do I file a Fictitious Business Name Statement? Fictitious Business Name instructions and the application are available at Solano County - Documents. Complete the form in triplicate (1 original & 2 copies) Enclose a Cashier’s Check or Money Order made payable to the ""Solano County Clerk"" for the total amount of the filing fees (See Solano County - Fee Schedule) Review the form to ensure that all fields are complete and clearly legible Fictitious Business Names can be filed in person at the County Clerk’s Office or by mail. If you elect to appear in person, the application must be completed online before coming to the County Clerk’s office and please bring a valid form of payment. Within 45 days after the statement has been filed, the registrant shall cause it to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the County in which the business is located, and the Affidavit of Publication filed with the County Clerk within 45 days after the completion of the publication. Submissions for Statements must be complete, accurate, and legible to be accepted. Any missing, incomplete or illegible information will cause the form to be rejected. Please review the submission checklist before submitting the registration forms. How do I get a marriage license? / Where do I go to get a marriage license? Marriage licenses are issued Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) at the County Clerk’s office located at 675 Texas Street Suite 1900 Fairfield, California 94533. Please check our website at Solano County - General Information for current business hours. Marriage license applications must be completed online at Solano County - Documents before coming into the County Clerk’s office. How do I obtain a confidential marriage license? Complete the Confidential Marriage License application before coming into the County Clerk’s office (available at online at Solano County - Documents) Pay the application fee (see Solano County - Fee Schedule) by cash or debit/credit card Both applicants must be at least 18 years of age Both applicants must be present when the license is issued Couple must be living together as spouses at the time they apply for the license Marriage ceremony must be performed in the State of California Both applicants must possess a valid picture identification, which includes date of birth Both applicants must include on the application, the full name (including middle and mother’s maiden name) of both parents Both applicants must include the State or Country of birth for both parents If either or both applicants were divorced, or had an annulment that was final within the last 6 months, a copy of the final judgment is required Confidential licenses are effective the date issued and for 90 days thereafter and can be used only in the State of California. How do I register as a Process Server? Complete the Process Server registration form (available at Solano County - Documents) Live Scan fingerprint records for each registrant on the form Process Server bond in the amount of $2,000.00 in the name of the person, partnership or corporation that is registering Provide valid picture identification Pay all applicable fees (see Solano County - Fee Schedule) Submit the completed form, all required documents and valid form of payment in person at the County Clerk’s Office In order to have your bond recorded you will need to be at our office no later than 3:00 p.m. Please allow at least 30 minutes to process your registration. Note: Staff members will no longer be authorized to serve under their employer's process server registration. All staff members who serve 10 or more services per year will be required to register as a natural person in order to be in compliance with sections §22350 - §22356 of the California Business & Professions code. Please visit Solano County - Process Server for additional information. How do I register as an Unlawful Detainer Assistant? Complete the Unlawful Detainer Assistant registration form (available at Solano County - Documents) Provide all supporting documentation as requested in the registration form Obtain an Unlawful Detainer Assistant bond in the amount of $25,000.00 Provide valid picture identification Pay all applicable fees (see Solano County - Fee Schedule) Submit the completed registration form, all required documents and valid form of payment for fees in person at the County Clerk’s Office In order to have the bond recorded the same day please be in our office no later than 3:00 p.m. Please allow at least 30 minutes to process the registration. How do I renew my Fictitious Business Name Statement? Fictitious Business Name instructions and the application are available at Solano County - Documents. Complete the form in triplicate (1 original & 2 copies) Enclose a Cashier’s Check or Money Order made payable to the ""Solano County Clerk"" for the total amount of the filing fees (See Solano County - Fee Schedule) Review the form to ensure that all fields are complete and clearly legible If the renewal filing is identical to the initial filing, and the renewal filing is completed within 40 days of the original expiration date, it is not necessary to publish the renewal filing. How do you get a marriage license if you are under 18 years of age? / How do minors marry? If either applicant is under 18 years of age they must contact the Solano County - Juvenile Division. Probation department will assist in completing the paperwork and obtaining a court order. How long does it take before your office can issue the marriage license? / Is there a period of days while the application is reviewed, or is it issued right away? A marriage license is issued the same day you come in to apply for it and will be issued right away. We ask that you arrive at the office in plenty of time to complete the paperwork prior to 4:00 p.m. Please be aware there may be a line at our office. Wait times are usually no more than 15 minutes. How long is a marriage license good for? / How long do I have to get married after I get a license? A marriage license is valid for 90 calendar days and there will be an expiration date on the marriage license. If a ceremony is not performed by the date the marriage license expires, you will then be required to purchase another marriage license in order to get married. How long is the Fictitious Business Name Statement good for? Fictitious Name Statements are good for 5 years. A renewal notice will be sent to you 30 days prior to expiration. How much does ... cost? / What is the fee for...? The fee schedule for County Clerk services is available at Solano County - Fee Schedule How much does your office charge for a marriage license? / What kinds of payment are accepted? County Clerk fees are available at Solano County - Fee Schedule. Payment is accepted in the form of Cash or Debit/Credit card only. Debit/Credit card payments will incur and additional convenience fee. How much does your office charge to file a Notary Public Oath of Office? The fee schedule for County Clerk services is available at Solano County - Fee Schedule How much is the filing of a Fictitious Business Name Statement? The fee schedule for County Clerk services is available at Solano County - Fee Schedule I am no longer doing business under the FBNS I filed under/I am selling my business to someone else. How do I disassociate my name from the business name? You can file a Statement of Abandonment to abandon the fictitious name and have the filing published in the newspaper. The new owner would then file a Fictitious Name Statement for that business name. I filed a FBNS with a partner who no longer wants to be connected to the business/name. How do I remove them from the FBNS? The partner who is withdrawing can file a Statement of Withdrawal from Partnership with the County Clerk’s Office, pay the applicable fee and have it published in the newspaper. I never recorded my Marriage License, am I married? Yes, you are still married even though you did not have your marriage license recorded. If you have not already done so, you will need to get your marriage license recorded as soon as possible. My marriage license was destroyed / defaced, how do I get a replacement? If the license was destroyed or defaced before a ceremony was performed a new marriage license must be obtained, a replacement cannot be issued. If the license was destroyed or defaced after the ceremony was performed the ceremony officiant must request a duplicate copy of the marriage license and must include the information on the 2 witnesses. What are the requirements for Notary Public Filing? Every notary public must file an official bond and an oath of office in the office of the county clerk within 30 days of appointment. At the top of the Certificate of Filing form is the date you must file by with the County Clerk’s office. You must bring the following documents to the County Clerk’s office: Original Notary bond in the amount of $15,000.00 Two Oath and Certificate of Filings included in the packet received from the Secretary of State Valid picture identification Applicable fees (see Solano County - Fee Schedule) If you would like additional information on how to become a Notary Public please visit the Secretary of State website at Home :: California Secretary of State. What do I need to bring to the office with me when I apply for a marriage license? / What are the requirements for getting a marriage license? Complete the Marriage License application before coming into the County Clerk’s office (available online at Solano County - Documents) Pay the application fee (see Solano County - Fee Schedule) by cash or debit/credit card Both applicants must be at least 18 years of age Both applicants must be present when the license is issued Marriage ceremony must be performed in the State of California Both applicants must possess a valid picture identification, which includes date of birth Both applicants must include on the application, the full name (including middle and mother’s maiden name) of both parents Both applicants must include the State or Country of birth for both parents If either or both applicants were divorced, or had an annulment that was final within the last 6 months, a copy of the final judgment is required Marriage licenses are effective the date issued and for 90 days thereafter and can be used only in the State of California. What forms / documents are available on the web site? Please visit Solano County - Documents What is a “Fictitious Business Name”? State law (Business & professions §17910) requires that every person, partnership, corporation, or other association, who regularly transacts business in this State for profit under a fictitious business name, shall file a statement with the County Clerk. What is a “Legal Document Assistant”? A "Legal document assistant" is any person who provides, or assists in providing, or offers to provide, or offers to assist in providing, for compensation, any self-help service to a member of the public who is representing themselves in a legal matter, or who holds themselves out as someone who offers that service or has that authority. This shall not apply to any individual whose assistance consists merely of secretarial or receptionist services. What is a “Process Server”? A Process Server is any person who makes more than 10 services of process within this state during one calendar year, for specific compensation or in expectation of specific compensation. They are required to file a certificate of registration as a process server with the county clerk of the county in which he or she resides or has his or her principal place of business. Any corporation or partnership that derives or expects to derive compensation from service of process within this state shall also file a certificate of registration as a process server with the county clerk of the county in which the corporation or partnership has its principal place of business. Persons Exempt from Registration: Any sheriff, marshal, or government employee who is acting within the course of his or her employment An attorney or his or her employees Any person who is specially appointed by a court to serve its process A licensed private investigator or his or her employees For additional information please visit Solano County - Process Server. What is a “Professional Photocopier?” Professional Photocopier is any person who for compensation obtains or reproduces documents authorized to be produced, and who, while engaged in performing that activity, has access to the information contained therein. For additional information please visit Solano County - Professional Photocopier. What is a Confidential Marriage License? / What is the difference between a Public and Confidential Marriage License? A Confidential Marriage License is recorded with the County Clerk’s office and a marriage certificate can only be issued to either spouse. A witness is not required to sign the confidential marriage license. A public marriage license is considered public information, at least one witness is required at the ceremony and they must sign the marriage license. The public marriage license is recorded with the Recorder’s office after the ceremony has been performed. What is a marriage license? / Why do I need a marriage license? A marriage license is the document that allows two people to be married and is required before a ceremony is performed in the State of California. What is an “Unlawful Detainer Assistant”? An "Unlawful Detainer Assistant" is any individual who for compensation renders assistance or advice in the prosecution or defense of an unlawful detainer claim or action, including any bankruptcy petition that may affect the unlawful detainer claim or action. What is the process for obtaining a marriage license if my partner is incarcerated at The County Jail or State Prison? If either party to a marriage is incarcerated, the marriage license application must be completed through Prison or Jail officials. An Affidavit for Physical Inability to Appear must be completed and signed by both applicants and the person who is solemnizing their marriage. The inmate’s signature MUST also be authenticated by a notary or a court. The person who is not incarcerated must come to the County Clerk’s office WITH the person who is solemnizing the marriage and will bring the completed marriage license application along with the completed Affidavit for Physical Inability to Appear, a Notary authentication or court authentication of the inmate’s signature, a photo ID for the person who is not incarcerated, a copy of dissolution papers (if necessary), and the marriage license fee (see - Solano County - Fee Schedule). What types of payment are accepted for a Fictitious Business Name Filing? Cash, Debit/Credit card, money order or cashier checks. No personal or business checks. Where can I get forms/information on a State Registered Domestic Partnership? State Registered Domestic Partnerships form are filed with the Secretary of State. Visit Domestic Partners Registry :: California Secretary of State for more information. Where should I go to get my business license? A business license is obtained through the city in which the business is located. If the business is located in an unincorporated area (outside of city limits), the business license will be issued through Resource Management. Visit Solano County - Business Licenses for more information. Which newspaper can I run the public notice of Fictitious Business Name Filing in? Any of the major publications within Solano County. Who is qualified to perform a marriage ceremony? Please visit Solano County - Marriage Ceremony for a list of individuals authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.