Can I Waive the Waiting Period for a Marriage License?

Introduction: The Urgency Behind Love and Legalities

In the real world, love doesn’t wait—neither should marriage. But many couples discover that marriage laws can create delays they hadn’t anticipated. Among the most frustrating? The waiting period between applying for a marriage license and being allowed to marry.

If you’re in a hurry to make your marriage legal—whether for military benefits, immigration deadlines, health emergencies, or personal reasons—you may be wondering: Can I waive the waiting period for a marriage license?

The good news is—in many U.S. states, it’s possible to waive or avoid the waiting period, and in California, there’s no waiting period at all. Services like Get Married Today specialize in helping couples get legally married the same day they apply for a marriage license.

This post will explore everything you need to know, from which states have waiting periods to how to waive them, and how to get married instantly—even today.

Table of Contents

1. What Is a Marriage License Waiting Period?
2. States That Require a Waiting Period
3. States With No Waiting Period
4. How to Waive the Waiting Period (State by State)
5. Why Do Waiting Periods Exist?
6. Emergency Marriage Situations That Justify a Waiver
7. How California Allows Same-Day Marriages
8. How Get Married Today Bypasses the Waiting Period Legally
9. The Confidential Marriage License Advantage
10. Fast Marriage for Military Personnel and Immigrants
11. Same-Day Marriage License + Ceremony: What It Looks Like
12. Apostille Certification for International Use
13. Do Online Marriages Have a Waiting Period?
14. Pros and Cons of Waiving the Waiting Period
15. Frequently Asked Questions
16. Final Thoughts

1. What Is a Marriage License Waiting Period?

A marriage license waiting period is a legally mandated gap between the time you apply for your license and the time you’re allowed to get married. This period can range from 1 day to 6 days depending on the state. It’s often designed to prevent impulsive marriages and allow for thoughtful decision-making.

2. States That Require a Waiting Period

Here’s a breakdown of common U.S. states that enforce a waiting period:

3. States With No Waiting Period

If you want to get married fast, consider these states with no waiting period:

• California
• Colorado
• Nevada
• Arizona
• Alabama
• Idaho
• Utah
• Indiana
• New York
• Montana
• North Carolina

In California, for instance, couples can apply for a marriage license and get married the same day. No delay, no courthouse required.

➡️ Learn how same-day marriage works in California

4. How to Waive the Waiting Period (State by State)

Many states allow you to waive the waiting period with a court order, proof of hardship, military deployment, or by taking a marriage preparation course.

Florida:

• 3-day wait unless you complete a certified premarital course.
• Can be waived by a judge in emergencies.

Texas:

• 72-hour wait.
• Waived for military, court order, or judge’s discretion.

Wisconsin:

• 6-day wait.
• Can be waived by court for a fee and sufficient cause.

Minnesota:

• 5-day wait.
• Waived with judicial approval or urgent reason.

Pennsylvania:

• 3-day wait.
• Judge may waive in cases of hardship.

Iowa:

• 3-day wait.
• Can be waived for $5 fee if urgent.

5. Why Do Waiting Periods Exist?

Historically, waiting periods were introduced to:

• Discourage impulsive elopements.
• Allow couples to reconsider the decision.
• Prevent fraudulent or coerced marriages.
• Allow time for public objections (in public marriage licenses).

However, in today’s world of committed long-term couples and urgent legal needs, these waiting periods often cause unnecessary stress.

6. Emergency Marriage Situations That Justify a Waiver

If you’re in any of these situations, you may be eligible to waive the waiting period:

• Deployment orders for active military personnel.
• Immigration deadlines requiring proof of marital relationship.
• Medical emergencies involving a partner’s hospitalization or end-of-life care.
• Travel deadlines for international recognition or documentation.

📍 Get Married Today works with military and immigrant families to help avoid delays and secure same-day legal marriages.

7. How California Allows Same-Day Marriages

California is one of the few states with zero waiting period. Here’s how it works:

• Apply for a public or confidential marriage license.
• The license is valid immediately.
• There is no need to wait for the county clerk or court availability.
• You can get married on the same day with a licensed officiant.

➡️ Book your same-day marriage appointment now

8. How Get Married Today Bypasses the Waiting Period Legally

Get Married Today is authorized to:

• Issue a Confidential Marriage License (only available in California).
• Perform a legally recognized same-day wedding ceremony.
• File your marriage paperwork with the county immediately.
• Provide apostille services for international document use.

This service is available 24/7, including weekends and holidays, without needing to wait for a courthouse.

9. The Confidential Marriage License Advantage

Confidential licenses have several benefits:

• No waiting period.
• No need for witnesses.
• Filing is done for you by the officiant.
• Not publicly searchable.
• Perfect for elopements or urgent cases.

📍 Available only in California and only through approved private notaries like Get Married Today.

10. Fast Marriage for Military Personnel and Immigrants

If you’re in the military or sponsoring a spouse through immigration, delays can mean lost benefits or visa denials.

Get Married Today provides:

• Immediate marriage license + ceremony.
• On-site or mobile officiants.
• Valid legal proof of marriage for military housing or USCIS filings.

🪖 See how we help military couples get legally married in hours

11. Same-Day Marriage License + Ceremony: What It Looks Like

Step-by-Step:

1. Book your appointment online or by phone.
2. Bring valid IDs (no need for SSN).
3. Receive the marriage license on the spot.
4. Customize your ceremony—or keep it short and sweet.
5. Legally married within 30–60 minutes.
6. Marriage license filed with the County Clerk immediately.
7. Receive proof of marriage and order certified copies.

📸 We even offer packages with photos, witnesses, and chapel space.

12. Apostille Certification for International Use

Planning to move abroad or file documents overseas?

Get Married Today also offers:

• Apostille certification for your marriage certificate.
• Federal-level apostille via our D.C. office.
• Translations for international recognition.

🌍 Learn about our apostille services for international marriage documentation

13. Do Online Marriages Have a Waiting Period?

States like Utah now allow online marriages via video conferencing, and there’s often no waiting period.

But you still must:

• Use an approved officiant.
• Follow the issuing state’s license laws.
• Get your marriage certificate mailed to you.

💻 Online marriages are ideal for international or long-distance couples.

14. Pros and Cons of Waiving the Waiting Period

✅ Pros:

• Immediate legal recognition of marriage.
• Faster eligibility for immigration, benefits, and medical decisions.
• Perfect for emergencies and elopements.

❌ Cons:

• Less time to plan a ceremony or celebration.
• Some states require court orders or fees to waive.
• May bypass reflection time for unprepared couples.

That said, most couples who waive the wait already have a long-standing relationship and urgent needs.

15. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I get married the same day I apply for a marriage license?

Yes—especially in California with Get Married Today. You’ll receive both the license and ceremony on the same day.

Q2: What documents do I need to get married today?

Valid government-issued ID. You do not need a Social Security number or birth certificate in California.

Q3: Can I skip the county clerk and still get legally married?

Yes. Get Married Today is authorized to issue confidential marriage licenses privately.

Q4: What if I’m in a state with a waiting period?

You may be able to get a waiver or fly into California for a one-day marriage trip. We help out-of-state and international couples daily.

Q5: How long does it take to receive a certified marriage certificate?

Within 5–8 weeks from the county once your paperwork is filed. Expedited filing and apostille are available.

16. Final Thoughts: Love Shouldn’t Wait—And Neither Should You

Waiting periods were meant to prevent hasty decisions—but for many couples today, they only delay what’s already certain. Whether you’re racing against time for military orders, immigration processing, or simply ready to say “I do” today—there are legal ways to skip the wait.

With services like Get Married Today, you don’t need to wait three days, three weeks, or even three hours. We make it happen today.

📅 Schedule your same-day marriage now