Name Change

Hey I’m not sure for California, but I’m in NYC and the city clerk wedding webpage here has so much helpful info. Explains that you can only change a last name in connection with a marriage cert & first name change is a completely separate process. If you didn’t already reach out to the clerk’s office or check their website, that might be a good place to start.

Mary is correct. You have to legally change your first name before entering it on your marriage license.

Unless you change your first name through the courts before doing the wedding license application, you will have to use whatever first name you have now and then, after the wedding, go to the court and change your first name. The marriage certificate then could be updated to have your new first name. I sort of guess the officiant could use your "nickname" for the wedding ceremony, especially if you have been known by that name before.