What States Allow Instant Marriages?
When love can’t wait, the question becomes urgent: Can we get married today? Whether you’re eloping, in a military relationship, facing immigration deadlines, or simply ready to start your life together without delay, knowing which U.S. states allow instant marriages can make all the difference.
At Get Married Today, we help couples get legally married on the same day — no courthouse visit needed. This guide explores which states allow instant marriage, what “instant marriage” really means, and how we provide same-day legal marriage services with licenses issued and ceremonies performed all in one visit.
What Is an Instant Marriage?
An instant marriage refers to a legal marriage that can be completed without a waiting period between applying for and receiving the marriage license, and without having to schedule the ceremony for a future date. It often includes:
- Same-day marriage license issuance
- No waiting period between license and ceremony
- An officiant available immediately
- Fast filing with the county clerk
- Optional apostille certification for international recognition
Not all states allow this, but several do — especially when paired with a private marriage license and a same-day officiant service like Get Married Today.
Why Do Some States Require a Waiting Period?
Waiting periods were originally introduced to prevent impulsive decisions. But for couples in committed relationships — especially those with legal, medical, or immigration timelines — waiting three days or more can cause unnecessary stress.
That’s why understanding which states allow you to skip the wait is critical.
States That Allow Instant Marriages
The following states either have no waiting period or offer waivers, meaning you can legally get married on the same day you get your license — or even within hours:
1. California – No Waiting Period
California is a popular state for instant weddings. There’s no waiting period — you can apply for a marriage license and get married the same day.
✅ Confidential marriage licenses are available
✅ No witness needed for confidential license
✅ Offered by Get Married Today — we issue the license and marry you on-site
✅ Apostille available for international couples
California counties that support same-day marriage licenses include:
- Los Angeles County
- Orange County
- Riverside County
- San Diego County
Learn how to get married today in California.
2. Nevada – Same-Day Marriages in Las Vegas
Famous for quick weddings, Nevada has no waiting period and easy walk-in service in Las Vegas.
✅ No blood test
✅ License is valid immediately
✅ 24/7 wedding chapels
✅ Ideal for elopements and destination weddings
Note: Las Vegas is popular, so lines can be long. California offers the same legal speed with more privacy via Get Married Today.
3. Colorado – Marry Yourself on the Spot
Colorado allows self-solemnization, meaning no officiant or witness is required. You can literally walk into a county clerk office, sign the license, and be married.
✅ No waiting period
✅ No officiant needed
✅ License is valid immediately
✅ Recognized nationwide
For couples traveling, Get Married Today can help coordinate documentation before or after the ceremony in Colorado.
4. District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.)
DC has no waiting period for marriage licenses.
✅ License valid immediately
✅ Same-day civil ceremonies available by appointment
✅ Great for military couples or international residents
Tip: Federal marriage certificates may require a special apostille for use abroad. We offer that too at Get Married Today.
5. Idaho – Instant Marriage License and Ceremony
Idaho has no waiting period after issuing the license.
✅ Same-day marriage possible
✅ Valid for 1 year
✅ No residency requirement
This makes Idaho ideal for elopements, though rural areas may have limited availability for officiants.
6. Utah – Online Marriage Licensing
Utah offers something unique: completely virtual marriage license applications.
✅ No waiting period
✅ Online license application and issuance
✅ Ceremony can be remote or in-person
✅ Internationally recognized with proper certification
Get Married Today can help couples complete Utah licenses and handle apostille filing if needed.
7. Montana – Proxy Marriage Allowed
Montana allows double proxy marriages — where neither party has to be present — under special conditions.
✅ No waiting period
✅ Used by deployed military
✅ Same-day legal recognition
✅ License can be processed remotely
Perfect for service members, immigration cases, or when one party is overseas. Ask Get Married Today how to get a proxy marriage legalized fast.
States That Allow Instant Marriage with a Court Waiver
Some states require a waiting period by default, but allow a judge or clerk to waive it:
8. Texas
- Standard waiting period: 72 hours
- Waiver available for active military, court order, or premarital counseling
- License valid immediately after waiver
- Valid for 90 days
Get Married Today can assist military couples stationed in Texas.
9. Florida
- 3-day waiting period for Florida residents
- No waiting for non-residents
- Waived with premarital course certificate
- License valid immediately
Florida makes eloping easy for out-of-state couples — especially in cities like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando.
10. Illinois
- Standard waiting period: 1 day
- Waiver available by judge’s order
- Cook County often processes license same-day
- Ideal for Chicago elopements
11. Georgia
- No waiting period
- ID and paperwork required
- Valid immediately upon issuance
- Must use the license in Georgia
Georgia is a great option for quick Southern weddings.
12. South Carolina
- 24-hour waiting period
- Waiver possible
- Common-law marriage still recognized (as of past rulings)
- Popular for private ceremonies
Why Choose California for Instant Marriage?
While many states offer some form of “instant” marriage, California offers the most flexibility, especially when you use a service like Get Married Today.
Here’s why:
✅ We issue the license directly — no courthouse
✅ We perform the ceremony — no need to find an officiant
✅ We file your paperwork for you
✅ We help order certified copies
✅ We offer apostille services for international couples
✅ Available 7 days a week, even on holidays
Whether you’re in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, or Riverside — we come to you, or you can come to us.
Urgent Marriage Needs We Can Help With
Many couples come to us needing a fast, legal marriage for important reasons:
- Military deployment or benefits
- Immigration sponsorship
- Health emergencies or hospital weddings
- Avoiding courthouse delays or closures
- Apostille for use in another country
- Desire for a private, confidential ceremony
We specialize in all of these.
Our Process: How to Get Married Today
If you’re in California, here’s how Get Married Today works:
1. Book Online or By Phone
Visit https://getmarried.today and schedule your appointment or call us directly.
2. Choose Your Location
Home, park, hospital, beach — we’ll meet you at your location or ours.
3. Show Valid ID
You’ll need government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.). If your ID is expired, we can guide you through alternative solutions.
4. Sign the Marriage License
We’ll issue the license on the spot. Confidential licenses don’t require a witness.
5. Ceremony Performed Immediately
Our officiant will conduct a short legal ceremony. You may add personal vows or keep it simple.
6. We File All Paperwork
We submit your signed marriage license to the county for recording.
7. Receive Certified Copies
We’ll help you order certified copies of your marriage certificate.
8. Optional Apostille Services
Need to use your certificate abroad? We’ll apostille it fast.
Do You Need to Travel to Get Married Today?
Not necessarily. If you’re outside of California or the U.S., we can help you come here and get legally married on the same day.
We help couples from:
- Texas
- Florida
- Arizona
- New York
- Mexico
- Canada
- The UK
- The Philippines
We’ll walk you through ID requirements, location options, and document delivery for your home country.
Final Thoughts: Where You Can Get Married Instantly
In summary, instant marriage is possible in these states:
✅ No waiting period: California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Georgia, Idaho, D.C.
✅ Waivers available: Texas, Florida, Illinois, South Carolina
✅ Online options: Utah
✅ Proxy weddings: Montana
But even if your state requires a wait, you can come to California and get legally married same-day with Get Married Today.
We handle everything — license, ceremony, apostille — in one visit.
Start Today
Don’t let courthouse delays or state wait times get in the way of your future. If you’re ready to get legally married now, let Get Married Today help you tie the knot — today.
📍 Based in Southern California
📅 Open 7 days a week, including holidays
📜 Certified marriage license + legal ceremony
🌍 Apostille certification for international use
💒 Private, fast, and fully legal