Why Do You Have to Wait Three Days to Get Married? Understanding Marriage Waiting Periods and How to Skip Them
Marriage is a joyful and transformative milestone—but for many couples, it can also come with a frustrating surprise: a mandatory waiting period between applying for a marriage license and having the legal ceremony. In some states, this means waiting three days or more before you can say “I do.” But why do you have to wait three days to get married? What’s the historical reasoning, and—more importantly—can you skip the wait if you need to get married quickly?
This guide from Get Married Today explores everything you need to know about the waiting period, the states that enforce it, how to bypass it legally, and how our same-day marriage services in California can help you get married instantly with the proper paperwork and official ceremony—without setting foot in a courthouse.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Marriage Waiting Period?
- Why Do States Require a Waiting Period?
- States with a Three-Day Waiting Period
- States with No Waiting Period
- Exceptions to the Waiting Period Rule
- How to Waive the Waiting Period
- The History of the Waiting Period
- How the Waiting Period Affects Urgent Marriages
- Do Military Couples Need to Wait?
- Same-Day Marriages in California – No Waiting Required
- Benefits of Getting Married Quickly
- Common Myths About Waiting Periods
- How Get Married Today Makes Instant Marriages Possible
- Apostille Services for International Recognition
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts: Get Married Without the Wait
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1. What Is the Marriage Waiting Period?
A marriage waiting period is the legally required time that must pass between when a couple applies for a marriage license and when they can legally get married. The length of the waiting period varies by state and is typically 24 to 72 hours.
Some states impose this waiting period to ensure couples have time to reflect on the decision, prevent impulsive marriages, and reduce instances of fraud or coercion.
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2. Why Do States Require a Waiting Period?
There are a few major reasons states impose a waiting period before marriage:
a. Emotional Readiness
Lawmakers have historically believed that waiting a few days after applying for a marriage license helps ensure couples are making a thoughtful and committed decision.
b. Administrative Processing
In the past, state clerks needed time to verify identities, check for existing marriages, or confirm the age of both applicants. With digital systems now, this is less relevant, but some laws remain unchanged.
c. Fraud Prevention
Waiting periods help prevent fraudulent or coerced marriages, giving individuals time to reconsider or report concerns.
d. Public Policy
Some states view waiting periods as a moral safeguard, particularly where one or both partners may be under duress, intoxicated, or emotionally unstable at the time of application.
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3. States with a Three-Day Waiting Period
If you’re in one of these states, you’ll generally have to wait three full days after applying for your marriage license before you can legally marry:
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Delaware
- Iowa
- Pennsylvania
Each state has its own laws for how the three-day count works (calendar days vs. business days), and whether weekends or holidays count.
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4. States with No Waiting Period
Good news: not all states impose a waiting period. These states allow couples to get married on the same day the license is issued:
- California
- Nevada
- Texas
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Utah
In California, where Get Married Today operates, there is no mandatory waiting period. That means you can legally get married on the same day the license is issued—especially with help from a registered marriage license issuer and officiant like us.
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5. Exceptions to the Waiting Period Rule
Even in states with mandatory waiting periods, there are often exceptions. You may be able to bypass the wait if:
- You’re in the military and being deployed
- You’re pregnant or expectant
- You can show cause for emergency need
- You obtain a judicial waiver
These exceptions usually require court approval or supporting documentation.
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6. How to Waive the Waiting Period
In most states, you can ask for a waiver of the waiting period, which is granted by a judge or court clerk. To request a waiver, you often need:
- A valid reason (deployment, pregnancy, immigration deadline, etc.)
- A written request
- A scheduled court hearing
However, this takes time, and you may still wait days or weeks just for the waiver hearing.
That’s why many couples come to California, where no waiver is needed—the waiting period doesn’t exist.
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7. The History of the Waiting Period
The idea of a marriage waiting period dates back to the early 20th century, when state lawmakers wanted to prevent “shotgun weddings” and encourage more stable, planned unions.
In the 1930s, a rise in elopements, temporary marriages, and bigamy led states to insert a buffer period. At the time, recordkeeping was manual, and the delay helped confirm identities and ensure both parties were legally single.
Over the years, some states removed the requirement altogether, while others still maintain it for historical or moral reasons—even though digital verification is now instant.
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8. How the Waiting Period Affects Urgent Marriages
Many couples simply can’t wait three days due to:
- Military deployment
- Immigration deadlines
- Health emergencies
- Travel constraints
- Pregnancy or birth plans
- Tax or insurance needs
In these cases, a waiting period creates unnecessary stress—and that’s where services like Get Married Today come in. We specialize in emergency weddings, offering same-day license issuance and officiation.
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9. Do Military Couples Need to Wait?
Military couples often face tight timelines due to deployments or base transfers. Some states waive the waiting period for military personnel—but it still requires paperwork and approval.
In California, no waiver is needed. Get Married Today proudly serves military couples, especially those stationed at Camp Pendleton, Fort Irwin, or traveling through Southern California. We offer 24/7 services and military discounts.
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10. Same-Day Marriages in California – No Waiting Required
California law allows same-day marriages with no waiting period. That means:
- Apply for your marriage license
- Have your ceremony performed by an authorized officiant
- File the paperwork—all on the same day
At Get Married Today, we’re authorized to issue confidential marriage licenses and officiate your ceremony, all in one visit. No courthouse, no long lines, and no delays.
Book your appointment now to get married today in California.
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11. Benefits of Getting Married Quickly
Getting married without delay has several advantages:
- Meet immigration deadlines
- Qualify for health insurance or spousal benefits
- Secure housing as a military couple
- Establish legal parentage before a child’s birth
- Simplify tax and financial planning
- Avoid courthouse backlogs
Whether you’re eloping, in a time-sensitive situation, or simply want a stress-free ceremony, same-day marriage services can make it happen.
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12. Common Myths About Waiting Periods
Let’s debunk a few myths:
- Myth: Every state has a waiting period.
✅ False. Many states, including California, do not require any wait. - Myth: Waiting periods are always 3 days.
✅ False. Some are 24 hours, others 72, and some have none at all. - Myth: You need a court order to get married quickly.
✅ Not in California. You can legally marry the same day with no extra paperwork. - Myth: It’s illegal to marry on the spot.
✅ It’s legal in states like California as long as the officiant and license are in place.
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13. How Get Married Today Makes Instant Marriages Possible
We offer fully legal same-day marriage services across Southern California, including:
- On-site marriage license issuance
- Licensed officiants for immediate ceremonies
- Apostille certification for international document use
- Military-friendly and immigration-sensitive services
- Private, pop-up, and custom wedding venues
- Services available 24/7—even on holidays
Everything is handled in one appointment. You leave with a proof of marriage and your paperwork is filed directly with the county.
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14. Apostille Services for International Recognition
If you’re getting married and need to use your marriage certificate abroad, we offer apostille services compliant with the Hague Apostille Convention.
Perfect for couples where one or both parties are:
- From another country
- Applying for a spouse visa
- Proving marriage abroad for dual citizenship or residency
We’ll handle the process end-to-end, including filing, notarization, and authentication.
Learn more about our apostille services.
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15. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is a marriage license valid immediately in every state?
A: No. Some states have mandatory waiting periods, but California does not. You can marry the same day the license is issued.
Q: Can we get married without going to the courthouse?
A: Yes! In California, Get Married Today can issue your license and perform the ceremony, all without any court involvement.
Q: Can I waive the waiting period in other states?
A: Some states allow a waiver, but it typically requires a judge’s approval and documentation. In California, no waiver is needed because there’s no waiting period.
Q: Do we need witnesses?
A: For confidential marriage licenses in California, no witnesses are required. This makes it ideal for private or emergency weddings.
Q: How do I book a same-day wedding?
A: Visit https://getmarried.today, choose a date and time, and bring valid IDs. We take care of the rest.
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16. Final Thoughts: Get Married Without the Wait
While many states still enforce a three-day waiting period after applying for a marriage license, you don’t have to wait—especially if you’re in California. At Get Married Today, we help couples bypass outdated processes by offering legal, fast, and stress-free marriages in a single visit.
If you’re facing a time-sensitive situation, traveling, in the military, or simply want a quick and easy ceremony, we’re here to help you get legally married today—with your paperwork, license, and ceremony all handled by professionals.