Cal. Family Code § 400 : California Family Code — Marriage — Persons Authorized To Solemnize Marriage — Chapter 1 Persons Authorized To Solemnize Marriage 400 Date: 29 Oct 2015 TEXT PDF Current through 2016 Legislative Session Although marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil, and not a religious, contract, a marriage may be solemnized by any of the following who is 18 years of age or older: (a) A priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination. A person authorized by this subdivision shall not be required to solemnize a marriage that is contrary to the tenets of his or her faith. Any refusal to solemnize a marriage under this subdivision, either by an individual or by a religious denomination, shall not affect the tax-exempt status of any entity. (b) A judge or retired judge, commissioner of civil marriages or retired commissioner of civil marriages, commissioner or retired commissioner, or assistant commissioner of a court of record in this state. (c) A judge or magistrate who has resigned from office. (d) Any of the following judges or magistrates of the United States: (1) A justice or retired justice of the United States Supreme Court. (2) A judge or retired judge of a court of appeals, a district court, or a court created by an act of Congress the judges of which are entitled to hold office during good behavior. (3) A judge or retired judge of a bankruptcy court or a tax court. (4) A United States magistrate or retired magistrate. (e) A legislator or constitutional officer of this state or a Member of Congress who represents a district within this state, while that person holds office. Ca. Fam. Code § 400 Amended by Stats 2012 ch 834 (SB 1140),s 1, eff. 1/1/2013. Amended by Stats 2006 ch 816 (AB 1102),s 16, eff. 1/1/2008.