Do I Need to Be a Resident of a State to Get Married There?
(Spoiler: No — and Here’s How to Get Married Instantly Even If You’re From Out of State or Overseas)
Introduction: The Marriage Myth of State Residency
Many couples believe they must live in a state in order to legally get married there. It’s a common misconception that can lead to confusion — especially for those who are traveling, relocating, serving in the military, or visiting from abroad. Fortunately, in nearly every U.S. state, you do not need to be a resident to get married there — you just need to meet that state’s marriage license requirements.
At Get Married Today, we specialize in making it easy for non-residents to legally marry in California — with no waiting period, no witness requirement, and no courthouse visit. We provide both the marriage license and the ceremony in a single, fast, and convenient appointment — perfect for out-of-state couples, immigrants, military members, and international travelers.
📝 Ready to get legally married today, no matter where you’re from?
👉 Book your marriage license + ceremony now
1. Do You Need to Be a Resident of a State to Get Married There?
Short answer: No.
In most U.S. states, residency is not required for either partner to apply for and receive a marriage license. This includes California, Nevada, New York, and many others.
You can be:
- A resident of another U.S. state
- A tourist or traveler passing through
- An immigrant or foreign national visiting temporarily
- A couple eloping while on vacation
- A military member stationed nearby
As long as you present the required ID and meet the age and marital status criteria, you can legally get married.
📎 U.S. Marriage License Requirements by State – NCSL
2. Residency Requirements by State (and Why California Is the Easiest)
Let’s break down a few examples of how different states handle this issue.
📍 California
- No residency required
- No waiting period
- Confidential marriage licenses available (no witness required)
- Same-day license and ceremony possible ✅ California Marriage License FAQ – County of Orange
📍 Nevada
- No residency required
- Las Vegas is known for quick weddings
- Witness required for public license
📍 Florida
- No residency required
- 3-day waiting period for residents (but not for non-residents!)
📍 New York
- No residency required
- 24-hour waiting period
- Must get married within 60 days of license issuance
📍 Texas
- No residency required
- 72-hour waiting period unless waived
📍 Hawaii
- No residency required
- Great for destination weddings
💡 Pro tip: Even if your home state has restrictive rules, you can travel to California and get married the same day — legally, easily, and with full documentation.
3. How to Get Married in California as a Non-Resident
At Get Married Today, we help couples from all over the U.S. — and the world — get legally married without being residents. You don’t even need to go to the courthouse.
Here’s how it works:
✅ Step-by-Step:
- Book an appointment on our website
- Bring valid government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, consular ID, or foreign ID)
- Sign your confidential marriage license (issued by our licensed team)
- Have your ceremony on the spot
- Receive confirmation of marriage filing
- Order certified copies or request an apostille if needed for international use
📍 Book a same-day marriage appointment in Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, Anaheim, or Los Angeles
4. Who Uses Our Non-Resident Marriage Services?
Pop-up weddings and confidential licenses aren’t just for locals — they’re especially helpful for:
✈️ Travelers and Tourists
Couples visiting California from another U.S. state or another country can legally marry during their trip. No delay, no residency needed.
👨✈️ Military Personnel
Service members stationed at Camp Pendleton, Los Angeles AFB, or visiting on leave often need to get married fast to claim housing benefits, spouse ID cards, and medical enrollment.
📎 Military Marriage Benefits – Military OneSource
🌍 Immigration Purposes
Couples often need to marry quickly to begin the green card or adjustment of status process. Our service is perfect for:
- Fiancé(e)s on K-1 visas
- Undocumented immigrants marrying U.S. citizens
- Couples preparing for I-130 or I-485 filings
📎 USCIS Family Immigration Overview
💍 Eloping or Avoiding Family Pressure
Want a private, meaningful marriage without a big event? Confidential licenses in California keep your record private and off public databases.
🏥 Medical and Emergency Marriages
Hospital weddings for patients or terminally ill individuals can be arranged with legal documentation and apostille services the same day.
5. Legal Validity: Is My Marriage Legal if I Don’t Live in California?
Absolutely. U.S. marriages are recognized across all 50 states, regardless of where they are performed — as long as:
- You followed that state’s laws
- You obtained a valid marriage license
- A licensed officiant performed the ceremony
- The license was properly filed
So if you live in New Jersey, Texas, or even abroad — your California marriage is legally binding.
📝 Planning to use your marriage certificate overseas?
👉 Get your marriage certificate apostilled with us
Next up, we’ll cover:
- How to marry while traveling
- International scenarios (including apostille certification)
- Special cases (military, immigration, etc.)
- Step-by-step marriage planning for out-of-state couples
- The benefits of choosing Get Married Today