Hey my man wants to get married. Important to make me step mom to his child as I am the caretaker with no legal rights. He says Let's get married but when I read Marriage law in CA It says Both parties must appear to get license from Court clerk office. That is not possible but I know people do get married to prisoners? Any one got answers? he is in PVSP for 2 more yrs. Thanks

No, you will sign a form and have it notarized that you won't be able to get the license. The Chaplin will get the lisense. You can get married and here are the steps. We got married in January this year.

1. He has to tell his counselor about his intentions about getting married.

2. He gets the wedding packet from his counselor and sends it to you.

3. You send the marriage packet back to his counselor all signed, filled out (up to 5 outside guests), and notarized (about $10).

4. Call a Chaplin at the prison and tell him about your intentions and ask him to marry you.

5. Call the counselor to make sure he got the packet.

6. Call, call and call the counselor again to prompt him to sign and pass on the packet.

7. Make sure your your guy is trying to prompt the counselor too.

8. After the packet is signed by his counselor & supervisor, it goes to the Chaplin.

9. Talk to the Chaplin about dates, and he will tell you when to send the money orders (about $130).

10. The Chaplin gets the marriage packet.

11. You show up at 8:45am to get in on a visiting day, the day of your wedding.

12. You have a nice visit, and the Chaplin shows up whenever.

13. You meet and talk to the Chaplin.

14. You have the ceremony either inside the visiting room or outside.

15. You sign the marriage certificate.

16. The marriage certificate is mailed to you.

I think that's all the steps. It took us about 2 1/2 months. The Counselor did take his time doing his part and approving us and signing it. The Chaplin only took 2 weeks to get us married after he got the packet and money orders. He could have done it in 1 week. He is the Chaplin that can do it the fastest at the prison. It takes much longer for the other Chaplin probably because the other Chaplin is the Christian Chaplin, but I could never get him on the phone to save my life. He never even returned one of my calls.

I recommend the Chaplin on B yard. He was always there when we needed him even for personal problems. He can do the marriage quickly (which is always best cause you never know if your guy is going to be transferred). He is a Muslim Iman, and we are Christians, but he is one of the kindest most sincere people I have ever met. That reminds me, I do need to send him a Thank You card. Even when my husband needed personal counseling, the Chaplin would go see him the next day after I called to ask the Chaplin to see him. The Chaplin would even let my husband call me from his office.

If you have any more questions, please ask. I hope you guys can get married without any incidents getting in the way.

I wrote this in another thread, and I pasted it here.

It sounds like it is pretty simple but takes time and lots of phone calls. The information you sent is just great. I just have a few more things to work out and then we can get together.

I will contact you again thru this board If I have any problems. Crossing my fingers, knocking on wood and saying many prayers.
Thanks again. Sue