This is a partial list of the legal marriage laws in the State of California. These 200 rights and responsibilities — out of about 300 laws that are triggered by legal marriage — show the variety of societal and business interactions built into legal marriage. This list provides a glimpse of what is at stake by the denial of access to legal marriage.
While all states generally cover similar legal areas, there are state-by-state differences. Besides the state laws, the U.S. Federal system also has more than 1,138 laws which are triggered by legal marriage. [See U.S. Federal Laws for the Legally Married.]
Almost all states offer some form of the following marital rights:
- Not forced to testify in court against each other
- Make medical decisions on each other’s behalf
- Seek wrongful death compensation
- Access to a decedent’s estate in the absence of a will
- Maintain life and disability insurance on a spouse
- Eligibility for worker’s compensation death benefits
- Automatically hold property as tenants in common
This California Family Code of laws was copied from the state’s official site for legislative information [www.leginfo.ca.gov] in about 1997:
DIVISION 1. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
PART 1. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS ...................................... 1-13
PART 2. DEFINITIONS ............................................... 50-155
DIVISION 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS
PART 1. JURISDICTION ................................................. 200
PART 2. GENERAL PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS ............................ 210-215
PART 3. TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER IN SUMMONS ................... 231-235
PART 4. EX PARTE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS .................... 240-246
PART 5. ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS ................................ 270-273
PART 6. ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS ...................... 290-291
PART 7. TRIBAL MARRIAGES AND DIVORCES ................................ 295
DIVISION 3. MARRIAGE
PART 1. VALIDITY OF MARRIAGE ..................................... 300-310
PART 2. MARRIAGE LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRY ............. 350-360
PART 3. SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGE
CHAPTER 1. PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO SOLEMNIZE MARRIAGE ............. 400-402
CHAPTER 2. SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGE ............................ 420-425
PART 4. CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................... 500-511
CHAPTER 2. APPROVAL OF NOTARIES TO AUTHORIZE CONFIDENTIAL
MARRIAGES ............................................ 530-536
DIVISION 4. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS DURING MARRIAGE
PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 1. DEFINITIONS .............................................. 700
CHAPTER 2. RELATION OF HUSBAND AND WIFE ......................... 720-721
CHAPTER 3. PROPERTY RIGHTS DURING MARRIAGE ...................... 750-755
PART 2. CHARACTERIZATION OF MARITAL PROPERTY
CHAPTER 1. COMMUNITY PROPERTY ................................... 760-761
CHAPTER 2. SEPARATE PROPERTY .................................... 770-772
CHAPTER 3. DAMAGES FOR INJURIES TO MARRIED PERSON ............... 780-783
CHAPTER 4. PRESUMPTIONS CONCERNING NATURE OF PROPERTY ........... 802-803
CHAPTER 5. TRANSMUTATION OF PROPERTY ............................ 850-853
PART 3. LIABILITY OF MARITAL PROPERTY
CHAPTER 1. DEFINITIONS .......................................... 900-903
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL RULES OF LIABILITY ........................... 910-916
CHAPTER 3. REIMBURSEMENT ............................................ 920
CHAPTER 4. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS .............................. 930-931
CHAPTER 5. LIABILITY FOR DEATH OR INJURY ........................... 1000
PART 4. MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF MARITAL PROPERTY ............. 1100-1103
PART 5. MARITAL AGREEMENTS
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................. 1500-1503
CHAPTER 2. UNIFORM PREMARITAL AGREEMENT ACT
Article 1. Preliminary Provisions ............................ 1600-1601
Article 2. Premarital Agreements ............................. 1610-1617
CHAPTER 3. AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE ..................... 1620
DIVISION 5. CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS
PART 1. FAMILY CONCILIATION COURT LAW
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................. 1800-1802
CHAPTER 2. FAMILY CONCILIATION COURTS ......................... 1810-1820
CHAPTER 3. PROCEEDINGS FOR CONCILIATION ....................... 1830-1842
PART 2. STATEWIDE COORDINATION OF FAMILY MEDIATION AND
CONCILIATION SERVICES .................................. 1850-1852
DIVISION 6. NULLITY, DISSOLUTION, AND LEGAL SEPARATION
PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 1. APPLICATION OF PART ..................................... 2000
CHAPTER 2. JURISDICTION ....................................... 2010-2012
CHAPTER 3. PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS .............................. 2020-2026
CHAPTER 3.5. ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS ........................ 2030-2034
CHAPTER 4. PROTECTIVE AND RESTRAINING ORDERS
Article 1. Orders in Summons ................................. 2040-2041
Article 2. Ex Parte Orders ........................................ 2045
Article 3. Orders After Notice and Hearing ........................ 2047
Article 4. Orders Included in Judgment ............................ 2049
CHAPTER 5. NOTICE TO INSURANCE CARRIERS ....................... 2050-2053
CHAPTER 6. EMPLOYEE PENSION BENEFIT PLAN AS PARTY
Article 1. Joinder of Plan ................................... 2060-2065
Article 2. Proceedings After Joinder ......................... 2070-2074
CHAPTER 7. RESTORATION OF WIFE'S FORMER NAME .................. 2080-2082
CHAPTER 8. UNIFORM DIVORCE RECOGNITION ACT .................... 2090-2093
CHAPTER 9. DISCLOSURE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ............... 2100-2113
CHAPTER 10. RELIEF FROM JUDGMENT .............................. 2120-2129
PART 2. JUDICIAL DETERMINATION OF VOID OR VOIDABLE MARRIAGE
CHAPTER 1. VOID MARRIAGE ...................................... 2200-2201
CHAPTER 2. VOIDABLE MARRIAGE .................................. 2210-2212
CHAPTER 3. PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS .............................. 2250-2255
PART 3. DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE AND LEGAL SEPARATION
CHAPTER 1. EFFECT OF DISSOLUTION ................................... 2300
CHAPTER 2. GROUNDS FOR DISSOLUTION OR LEGAL SEPARATION ........ 2310-2313
CHAPTER 3. RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS ............................. 2320-2322
CHAPTER 4. GENERAL PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS ...................... 2330-2347
CHAPTER 5. SUMMARY DISSOLUTION ................................ 2400-2406
DIVISION 7. DIVISION OF PROPERTY
PART 1. DEFINITIONS ............................................ 2500-2502
PART 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS ..................................... 2550-2556
PART 3. PRESUMPTION CONCERNING PROPERTY HELD IN JOINT FORM ..... 2580-2581
PART 4. SPECIAL RULES FOR DIVISION OF COMMUNITY ESTATE ......... 2600-2604
PART 5. RETIREMENT PLAN BENEFITS .................................... 2610
PART 6. DEBTS AND LIABILITIES .................................. 2620-2627
PART 7. REIMBURSEMENTS ......................................... 2640-2641
PART 8. JOINTLY HELD SEPARATE PROPERTY .............................. 2650
PART 9. REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN ANOTHER STATE ...................... 2660
DIVISION 8. CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
PART 1. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 1. DEFINITIONS ........................................ 3000-3007
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................. 3010-3011
PART 2. RIGHT TO CUSTODY OF MINOR CHILD
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................. 3020-3031
CHAPTER 2. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN GRANTING CUSTODY ....... 3040-3043
CHAPTER 3. TEMPORARY CUSTODY ORDER DURING PENDENCY OF
PROCEEDING ......................................... 3060-3064
CHAPTER 4. JOINT CUSTODY ...................................... 3080-3089
CHAPTER 5. VISITATION RIGHTS .................................. 3100-3104
CHAPTER 6. CUSTODY INVESTIGATION AND REPORT ................... 3110-3116
CHAPTER 7. ACTION FOR EXCLUSIVE CUSTODY ............................ 3120
CHAPTER 8. LOCATION OF MISSING PARTY OR CHILD ................. 3130-3134
CHAPTER 9. CHECK TO DETERMINE WHETHER CHILD IS MISSING PERSON ...... 3140
CHAPTER 10. APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL TO REPRESENT CHILD ......... 3150-3153
CHAPTER 11. MEDIATION OF CUSTODY AND VISITATION ISSUES
Article 1. General Provisions ................................ 3160-3164
Article 2. Availability of Mediation ......................... 3170-3173
Article 3. Mediation Proceedings ............................. 3175-3186
CHAPTER 12. COUNSELING OF PARENTS AND CHILD ................... 3190-3192
PART 3. UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION ACT ................. 3400-3425
DIVISION 9. SUPPORT
PART 1. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 1. DEFINITIONS ........................................ 3500-3515
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................. 3550-3557
CHAPTER 3. SUPPORT AGREEMENTS
Article 1. General Provisions ..................................... 3580
Article 2. Child Support ..................................... 3585-3587
Article 3. Spousal Support ................................... 3590-3593
CHAPTER 4. SPOUSAL AND CHILD SUPPORT DURING PENDENCY OF
PROCEEDING ......................................... 3600-3604
CHAPTER 5. EXPEDITED CHILD SUPPORT ORDER ...................... 3620-3634
CHAPTER 6. MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF SUPPORT
Article 1. General Provisions ................................ 3650-3654
Article 2. Discovery Before Commencing Modification or
Termination Proceeding ............................ 3660-3668
CHAPTER 7. HEALTH INSURANCE
Article 1. Health Insurance Coverage for Supported Child ..... 3750-3753
Article 2. Health Insurance Coverage Assignment .............. 3760-3772
Article 3. Assignment of Reimbursement Rights Under Health
Plan .............................................. 3780-3782
CHAPTER 8. DEFERRED SALE OF HOME ORDER ........................ 3800-3810
CHAPTER 9. SOFTWARE USED TO DETERMINE SUPPORT ...................... 3830
PART 2. CHILD SUPPORT
CHAPTER 1. DUTY OF PARENT TO SUPPORT CHILD
Article 1. Support of Minor Child ............................ 3900-3902
Article 2. Support of Adult Child ................................. 3910
Article 3. Support of Grandchild .................................. 3930
Article 4. Liability to Others Who Provide Support for Child 3950-3952
CHAPTER 2. COURT-ORDERED CHILD SUPPORT
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These regulations governing marriage rights and responsibilities are now available to same-sex partners.
[Please see our article: California Offers Marriage]
Previously, California had a status called Domestic Partner Registration, a legally inferior status to legal marriage, that provides some similar rights.
[Please see: Domestic Partner Registration: The California Approach]
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Governments that offer Full Legal Marriage
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Nations
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Netherlands (2001)
Belgium (2003)
Canada (2005)
Spain (2005)
South Africa (2005)
Norway (2009)
Sweden (2009)
Iceland (2010)
Argentina (2010)
Portugal (2010)
Denmark (2012)
France (2013)
New Zealand (2013)
Brazil (2013)
Uruguay (2013)
New Zealand (2013)
United Kingdom
(England, Wales) (2013)
Luxembourg (2014)
Finland (2014)
Scotland (2014)
Ireland (2015)
Greenland (2015)
United States (2015)
Colombia (2016)
Germany (2017)
Malta (2017)
Australia (2017)
Austria (2019)
Taiwan (2019)
Ecuador (2019)
Costa Rica (2020)
Chile (2022)
Estonia (2023)
Nepal (2023)
Greece (2024)
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US States
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U.S. Supreme Court, June 26, 2015 Ruling: All States must allow legal, same-sex marriage.
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These states had legal marriage before the ruling:
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Massachusetts (2004)
California (2008)
Connecticut (2008)
Iowa (2009)
Vermont (2009)
New Hampshire (2009)
District of Columbia (2009)
New York (2011)
Maine (2012)
Washington (2012)
Maryland (2013)
Rhode Island (2013)
Delaware (2013)
Minnesota (2013)
Illinois (2013)
Utah (2013)
New Jersey (2013)
Hawaii (2013)
New Mexico (2013)
Michigan (2014) - stayed pending legal challenge
Oregon (2014)
Wisconsin (2014)
Arkansas (2014) - stayed pending legal challenge
Pennsylvania (2014)
Indiana (2014)
Nevada (2014)
Virginia (2014)
Oklahoma (2014)
Idaho (2014)
West Virginia (2014)
Alaska (2014)
Arizona (2014)
Wyoming (2014)
Kansas (2014) - stayed pending legal challenge
Florida (2014)
Colorado (2014)
North Carolina (2014)
South Carolina (2014)
Montana (2014)
Alabama (2015)
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Native American Tribes
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Coquille Tribe, Oregon (2009)
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, Connecticut (2010)
Suquamish Tribe, Washington (2011)
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Washington (2011)
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan (2013)
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Michigan (2013)
Santa Ysabel Tribe, California (2013)
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, WA (2013)
Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes, Oklahoma (2013)
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota (2013)
Grand Portage Band of Chippewa, Minnesota (2013)
Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Washington (2014)
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Arizona (2014)
Wind River Indian Reservation, Wyoming (2014)
Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana (2014)
San Carlos Apache Tribe, Arizona (2014)
Fort McDermitt Paiute & Shoshone Tribes, OR & NV (2014)
Fort McDowell Yavapai Community, Arizona (2014)
Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, WI (2014)
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (2014)
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (2014)
Pascua Yaqui Tribe (2014)
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, & Siuslaw Indians (2014)
Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes, Alaska (2015)
Oneida Nation, Wisconsin (2015)
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (2015)
Chemehuevi Indian Tribe (2015)
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (2015)
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (2015)
Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe (2016)
Oglala Sioux Tribe (2016)
Tulalip Tribe, Washington (2016)
Menominee Nation (2016)
Cherokee Nation (2016)
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