What Is a Civil Marriage?
When people think about getting married, they often picture a church ceremony, religious rituals, or a grand celebration. However, not all marriages involve religious customs or large gatherings. For many couples, a civil marriage offers a more straightforward, legally recognized, and non-religious path to tying the knot. But what exactly is a civil marriage, and how does it work?
In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about civil marriage, including its legal implications, how it differs from religious or symbolic ceremonies, how to get one quickly and efficiently in California with Get Married Today, and why it might be the best choice for many couples.
Definition of a Civil Marriage
A civil marriage is a legally binding union between two individuals, performed by a government official or a legally authorized person rather than a religious figure. It is a state-sanctioned contract that provides couples with all the legal rights, responsibilities, and protections associated with marriage.
Civil marriages are recognized under the law regardless of religion, gender, or belief systems. They do not require a religious ceremony, venue, or officiant.
According to the California Courts, civil marriage is the standard form of legal union recognized by the state, whether the ceremony takes place in a courthouse, at home, or at a wedding chapel.
Civil Marriage vs. Religious Marriage
One of the key differences between civil and religious marriages is who performs the ceremony. In a civil marriage:
- The ceremony is conducted by a government official, not a religious leader
- It does not involve religious rites or symbols
- It is often shorter and more focused on the legal aspects
- It can take place in a courthouse, city hall, or any location authorized by the state
In contrast, religious marriages are typically performed by clergy members and follow the traditions of a specific faith. However, a religious marriage must still meet civil legal requirements to be valid in the eyes of the law.
For example, if a couple marries in a church, they must still obtain a marriage license and ensure that the officiant is legally authorized to conduct marriages in the state. For more information on legal requirements, visit the California Department of Public Health.
Legal Benefits of Civil Marriage
Entering into a civil marriage grants couples a wide array of legal rights and benefits, including:
- Tax benefits (such as filing jointly)
- Health care access (visitation rights, medical decisions)
- Inheritance rights
- Immigration sponsorship
- Spousal support and community property rights
- Parental rights and adoption privileges
For couples planning to marry for practical reasons such as immigration, military benefits, or healthcare access, a civil marriage offers a simple and fast legal pathway. Get Married Today can help expedite this process.
Where Can You Have a Civil Marriage?
In California, civil marriages can be performed at several locations:
- County Clerk’s Office
- Courthouse
- Authorized private wedding chapels
- Your home or other private location (when you use a mobile officiant)
Get Married Today is authorized to issue marriage licenses and perform legally binding civil ceremonies 24/7 at the location of your choice—even at home, in the hospital, or at the beach.
Do You Need a Marriage License?
Yes. To have a valid civil marriage in California, you must first obtain a marriage license. There are two types:
- Public marriage license: Recorded and viewable by the public
- Confidential marriage license: Only available to the couple and requires them to live together
Once you receive the license, you must have your ceremony performed within 90 days. For help getting your license fast, Get Married Today offers same-day issuance and ceremony options.
Learn more from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website.
Who Can Officiate a Civil Marriage?
A civil marriage must be officiated by someone legally recognized by the state of California. This includes:
- County Clerk Deputy Commissioners
- Judges or Justices
- Authorized Notaries and Marriage Officiants
At Get Married Today, all officiants are legally licensed and experienced in performing civil ceremonies that comply with California state law.
Is a Courthouse Wedding the Only Option?
Absolutely not. While courthouses are traditional venues for civil marriages, they are often booked weeks in advance and may not offer weekend or holiday services. If you need flexibility, consider private marriage services like Get Married Today.
We offer:
- On-demand appointments
- Locations of your choosing
- Same-day marriage license and ceremony
- Optional apostille services for international use
Apostille for Civil Marriage Certificates
If you need to use your marriage certificate in another country (for immigration, visas, or dual citizenship), you may need to obtain an apostille. This process certifies your marriage certificate for international legal use.
Orange County Apostille works closely with Get Married Today to ensure your documents are authenticated quickly and correctly under the Hague Apostille Convention.
Why Couples Choose Civil Marriage
Many couples choose civil marriage for the following reasons:
- Speed: No waiting period in California
- Affordability: No need for a lavish venue or event
- Privacy: Confidential marriage options available
- Flexibility: Can be held anywhere, any time
- Inclusivity: Open to all couples, regardless of religion, gender, or nationality
Civil marriage is ideal for:
- Military couples
- Immigrant couples
- Older adults
- Previously divorced individuals
- LGBTQ+ couples
- Couples needing urgent legal status
How to Get a Civil Marriage Quickly in California
If you want to get married today, you can skip the courthouse and book directly with Get Married Today. Here’s how:
- Book an Appointment: Call or visit our website to select a time
- Bring ID: Valid government-issued identification is required
- Marriage License Issuance: We can issue the license at your chosen location
- Ceremony: Our officiant conducts your legal civil ceremony on the spot
- Filing and Certificates: We handle filing your paperwork and ordering certified copies
What Happens After a Civil Marriage?
After your ceremony:
- The officiant signs and submits the license
- The County Clerk records the marriage
- You can request certified copies for legal use
- You can update your name, immigration status, or legal documents
Need help updating your name? Here’s how to update your name after marriage.
Conclusion: Civil Marriage Is a Legal, Fast, and Inclusive Way to Say “I Do”
A civil marriage is more than just a formality—it’s a legal contract that comes with rights, responsibilities, and privileges. Whether you’re getting married for love, immigration, legal protection, or personal convenience, a civil marriage provides the legal foundation you need.
At Get Married Today, we make it easier than ever to get legally married in California without courthouse delays. Whether you’re local, from out of state, or visiting from another country, we offer:
- Same-day marriage license and ceremony
- Mobile officiants available 24/7
- Bilingual officiants
- Apostille certification for international use
- Fast, professional service
Avoid long waits and complicated procedures. Let us help you get legally married—today!
Ready to begin? Book your civil marriage appointment now and take the first step toward your legally recognized union.