To do this, you file a petition with the court and publish a notice in a newspaper. Then, you'll either have a court date (a hearing) where a judge will make a decision, or the judge may make a decision without a hearing. Once the judge decides, you pick up a court decree (court order) with your new name.
The requirements to obtain a marriage license are as follows: Both parties must appear together before the clerk. Both parties must possess a valid government issued picture identification that includes the full legal name and date of birth. Both parties must be unmarried and at least 18 years of age.
Both parties must appear in person and bring valid picture identification to the County Clerk's Office to apply for a marriage license in California.
In most cases, you are still considered married without registering the license. For example, California law requires the officiant to return the marriage license to the county clerk or recorder within 10 days of the ceremony. If, for some reason, this does not happen, you are still married.
The Contra Costa County Vital Registration Office is able to provide certified copies for births occurring this year and last year in Contra Costa County. Births that occurred prior to that may be obtained from the Clerk-Recorders Office at 925-335-7900 or on the County Clerk website.
Marriage licenses and birth certificates are obtained through the Contra Costa County Clerk's Office. Contact the County Recorder's Office at 925-335-7900 to apply or visit the County's website for more information. They are located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez.