What Documents Do I Need to Get Married Today?
Introduction: Why Documentation Matters for Same-Day Marriages
When couples decide to get married today—whether due to love, life changes, military deployment, immigration deadlines, or just a shared desire to skip the courthouse line—there’s often one pressing question: What documents do we need to make our marriage legally valid today? At Get Married Today, we simplify the entire process by providing same-day marriage license issuance and legally binding ceremonies—but understanding the necessary documents is essential to a smooth experience.
This comprehensive guide walks you through exactly what documents are required, including special situations like military, immigration, or international use. Whether you’re planning an elopement, an emergency marriage, or a romantic pop-up chapel wedding, you’ll find everything you need here to get married today—legally and stress-free.
Table of Contents
- Valid Identification: What Counts and What Doesn’t
- Sworn Statement for Marriage License
- Divorce Documentation (If Applicable)
- Death Certificate of a Previous Spouse (If Applicable)
- Social Security Number (Required or Not?)
- Parental Consent for Minors (Under Age 18)
- Additional Documents for Military Members
- Immigration-Related Documents
- International Use: Apostille or Authentication Needs
- Marriage Certificate vs. Marriage License: What to Expect
- What You Don’t Need to Get Married Today
- What If You Have No Documents at All?
- Get Married Today: We Provide the License, Ceremony & Filing
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion: Ready to Say “I Do” Today?
1. Valid Identification: What Counts and What Doesn’t
To get married today in California, you must present valid, government-issued photo identification. The ID must clearly show your full legal name, photo, and date of birth.
Accepted Forms of ID:
- U.S. Passport or Passport Card
- State-Issued Driver’s License
- State-Issued Identification Card
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- Military ID (Active Duty, Reserve, or Retired)
- Foreign Passport with Entry Stamp
- Consular Identification (in some cases)
Not Accepted:
- School ID
- Work badges
- Expired passports or licenses
- Social media profiles or digital copies
Tip: If your name has recently changed (through divorce or naturalization), bring proof of name change (court order, divorce decree, or naturalization certificate).
2. Sworn Statement for Marriage License
California requires a Sworn Statement and Application for Marriage License, which includes the full legal names, previous marital status, and residential addresses of both parties.
With Get Married Today, you don’t have to visit the County Clerk. We are authorized to issue your marriage license on the spot. We’ll prepare the sworn statement and help you complete it correctly during your appointment.
3. Divorce Documentation (If Applicable)
If either party has been previously married, the marriage must be legally ended before applying for a new marriage license.
What You’ll Need:
- Divorce Judgment/Decree with final date
- Annulment documentation
- Legal separation with dissolution record
Note: California does not require you to bring the physical divorce decree for a standard license, but you must know the exact date your previous marriage ended.
4. Death Certificate of a Previous Spouse (If Applicable)
If you are a widow or widower, you’ll need:
- Certified death certificate of your deceased spouse
- Date and place of death
- No remarriage before death was recorded
This ensures the new marriage is legally valid. At Get Married Today, we can help review these documents before your appointment to ensure everything is in order.
5. Social Security Number (Required or Not?)
In California, you do not need to present a physical Social Security card, but you will be asked to provide your number if you have one.
If You Don’t Have One:
- Write “None” or “N/A” on the application.
- Foreign nationals, undocumented individuals, and others without SSNs may still legally marry.
This is especially important for couples with international partners or those involved in immigration proceedings.
6. Parental Consent for Minors (Under Age 18)
California law requires that anyone under the age of 18 must have:
- A court order from the Superior Court
- Signed consent of at least one parent or legal guardian
Minors must also attend pre-marital counseling and an interview with a judge. If you are under 18 and seeking same-day marriage, contact us for guidance. In most cases, additional preparation time is required.
7. Additional Documents for Military Members
If you’re an active duty service member, your marriage may qualify for special consideration.
Documents Often Needed:
- Military ID
- Leave form or orders (if applicable)
- Command authorization (if under special conditions)
At Get Married Today, we specialize in same-day military marriages and provide discounts for active service members. We’ll help you ensure everything is squared away to secure spousal benefits, BAH, and legal recognition.
8. Immigration-Related Documents
We assist many couples with immigration deadlines, adjustment of status, or visa-related cases. If you need your marriage recognized for immigration purposes, we recommend bringing:
- Valid ID and passport
- Birth certificate (translated if necessary)
- Entry visa or I-94 form (if available)
- Previous divorce or death certificates (if applicable)
Our team is also familiar with how to expedite marriage licenses and issue certified marriage certificates for USCIS filings, which are often time-sensitive.
9. International Use: Apostille or Authentication Needs
Getting married for international recognition (e.g., to sponsor a spouse abroad or to relocate) often means you’ll need a certified marriage certificate with an Apostille.
Required Documents:
- Valid IDs
- Complete marriage license application
- Sworn statement
- International request form (we provide this)
At Get Married Today, we help couples obtain apostille certification under the Hague Convention and submit their documents for international use, including:
- Mexico
- Philippines
- Italy
- Brazil
- Colombia
- And over 100 other countries
We offer same-day marriage plus apostille services via our expedited network with California and federal authentication agencies.
10. Marriage Certificate vs. Marriage License: What to Expect
A marriage license gives you permission to get married.
A marriage certificate is the legal proof that the marriage actually happened.
With Us:
- We issue the marriage license on-site
- We perform the legally binding ceremony
- We file your documents with the county
- You receive your Proof of Marriage the same day
- Your official Marriage Certificate is mailed to you within 5–8 weeks
Need it sooner? We also offer priority certified copies and express shipping.
11. What You Don’t Need to Get Married Today
Let’s bust some myths. Here’s what you do not need:
- Blood tests
- Witnesses (for confidential marriages)
- County Clerk appointment
- Premarital counseling
- Prior residency in California
- Citizenship or immigration status proof
We remove all the unnecessary roadblocks so you can marry without delay.
12. What If You Have No Documents at All?
We can still help you.
If you’ve lost your ID:
- We can guide you to obtain a temporary ID
- We can work with alternative documentation
- We can help notarize identity statements in some cases
Reach out to our team for emergency marriage solutions. We specialize in urgent cases.
13. Get Married Today: We Provide the License, Ceremony & Filing
At Get Married Today, we provide a complete all-in-one service:
- Licensed notaries and wedding officiants
- Marriage license issuance on-site
- Legal wedding ceremony
- Proper document filing with the County Clerk
- Certified copies and Apostille services available
Open 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays, we serve all of Southern California—from Los Angeles to San Diego, Orange County to Riverside.
Book instantly at: https://getmarried.today/
14. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a passport instead of a driver’s license?
Yes, as long as it’s current and government-issued with your photo and DOB.
What if I don’t have my divorce paperwork?
You can still get married if you know the exact date of finalization. Bring what you can.
How long does it take to get my official marriage certificate?
Generally 5–8 weeks by mail. We offer rush filing and express copies.
Can I get an apostille for my marriage certificate?
Yes. We help submit your marriage certificate for apostille in California or through our federal office in Washington D.C.
Do you issue the license and perform the ceremony same-day?
Yes! That’s our specialty. No County Clerk visit required.
15. Conclusion: Ready to Say “I Do” Today?
Getting married today is easier than you think—with the right documents and the right team on your side.
At Get Married Today, we simplify everything. We issue the license, perform the ceremony, and handle all the paperwork—so you can focus on your love story.
Whether you’re eloping, handling an emergency marriage, applying for immigration, or planning a romantic spontaneous wedding, we’re here 24/7.
Ready to get married today?
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