California Code, Education Code - EDC § 24321

(1) The retired member shall have been married or registered in a domestic partnership for at least one year prior to making the election of the option.

(2) The retired member shall notify the board, in writing on a properly executed form provided by the system, of the election of the option and the designation of the member's new spouse or registered domestic partner as the option beneficiary. That notice shall include a certified copy of the marriage certificate or the certificate of registration of domestic partnership.

(3) The election of an option under this section is subject to approval by the board. A retired member may not elect a joint and survivor option that would result in any additional liability to the retirement fund. A retired member may not elect the compound option described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1.

(4) The election shall be effective six months after the date the notification is received by the board, provided that both the retired member and the retired member's designated spouse or registered domestic partner are then living. If the effective date of the new option election is on or after January 1, 2007, at the time of the new election the retired member shall elect an option from the options described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1.If, before the new election becomes effective, the member terminates his or her benefit pursuant to Section 24208 or the retired member or the new option beneficiary dies, the new election is void and the unmodified election remains in effect.