Legal Question in Family Law in California

Validity of confidential marriage license

I was ''married'' in a ceremony by a licensed minister, spontaneously and

using very bad judgment. We purchased a confidential marriage license three

days later, sent it to the minister, and he signed and sent it in. We have made

a mistake with the marriage and both hope the license is invalid. (We are still

on very friendly terms, however.) Here's why it might be...is it?

1. ''Confidential'' licenses seem to require a couple to be living together at the

time of marriage. We don't, and didn't.

2. The ceremony (whose date was documented in newspapers) took place

three days before the license existed.

3. The minister said he planned to enter a later date than that of the actual

ceremony. I believe this was for two reasons: A)So that license would exist at

time of ''ceremony'' and B)So that he could get it to the county recorder's

office within the 10 day window required by the state.

Please tell me there's a chance we're not legally married! Many thanks.

2 Answers from Attorneys

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