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UncategorizedCamden Alchanati

Eloping in California Before Your Destination Wedding Abroad: The Smart, Stress-Free Path to Legal Marriage

Planning a wedding abroad is a dream for many couples. From romantic beaches in Bali to historic chapels in Tuscany, the possibilities are endless. But behind the picture-perfect destination lies months of coordination, paperwork, and uncertainty. What many couples don’t realize is that it’s often easier—and smarter—to legally elope in California first before celebrating overseas.

At Get Married Today, we help couples get legally married quickly and conveniently in California. Then, when they fly abroad for their symbolic ceremony, their union is already official. This approach is increasingly popular for good reason—it separates the legal and celebratory aspects of the marriage, allowing for peace of mind, simplified travel, and valid documentation for visas, name changes, and insurance.

Why Couples Choose to Elope in California First

1. Legal Security Before You Travel

When couples elope in California before their international wedding, they gain immediate legal recognition. This is crucial when you need to apply for spousal visas, update insurance policies, or file immigration petitions.

✅ California marriage licenses are recognized internationally when properly apostilled.

✅ Get Married Today helps with apostille certification for couples who need international recognition.

✅ Legal marriage in California doesn’t require a residency or citizenship.

2. Ease and Speed of Same-Day Services

Many foreign governments require multiple layers of marriage registration. California offers same-day marriage license issuance and ceremonies. Get Married Today offers:

  • On-site marriage license issuance
  • Same-day officiated ceremonies
  • Filing with the county registrar
  • Certified copy requests

This means no waiting period, no court delays, and full control over the timeline.

3. Symbolic Destination Ceremony Without Bureaucracy

When your legal paperwork is already handled in California, your international wedding becomes purely symbolic. That means:

  • No stress about legal translations or local officiant qualifications.
  • No scrambling for last-minute paperwork overseas.
  • Freedom to focus on the joy of your celebration.

4. Avoid Conflicts with International Law

Many countries have complex laws regarding foreign marriages. Getting married in California first avoids:

  • Confusion about marriage recognition
  • Language barriers at consulates or foreign offices
  • Delays in receiving legalized marriage documents

Benefits of Legal Elopement in California

✔️ Valid for U.S. Government Use

When you get legally married through Get Married Today, your certificate can be used to:

✔️ Easy Apostille for International Use

For countries in the Hague Apostille Convention, Get Married Today offers apostille services for your California marriage certificate. This ensures your marriage is valid:

  • In your spouse’s country of origin
  • For immigration, dual citizenship, and pension benefits

✔️ Private and Convenient Options

Eloping with Get Married Today means:

  • Flexible locations: beach, park, home, or office
  • Officiants available 24/7
  • No courthouse visit required
  • Bilingual officiants for multicultural couples

Real Examples: Why Couples Eloped in California First

Amanda & Luis – Mexico Destination Wedding

Amanda and Luis planned a lavish symbolic wedding in Tulum. But they wanted to handle the legal side early. They contacted Get Married Today and got their marriage license and ceremony in Irvine. Then, they received an apostilled marriage certificate that was accepted by Mexican immigration. Their resort ceremony was beautiful—and stress-free.

Emily & Sofia – European Union Visa Concerns

Sofia, a dual Spanish-U.S. citizen, and her partner Emily wanted a wedding in Barcelona. However, for visa purposes, they needed to be legally married first. They eloped in California and used their legal documents to file for EU family reunification. Their European ceremony was purely celebratory.

How It Works with Get Married Today

Step 1: Schedule an Appointment

Use our online booking tool to select a convenient time and location.

Step 2: Get the Marriage License

We are authorized to issue marriage licenses directly—no need to visit the county clerk.

Step 3: Have the Ceremony

Your ceremony can be simple, quick, and legally binding, or customized to your vision.

Step 4: Apostille (If Needed)

We’ll submit your certified marriage certificate for apostille authentication. This is crucial for use in another country.

Step 5: Receive Certified Copies

We’ll order official certified copies of your marriage record to be mailed directly to you.

What Documents You Need to Elope in California

  • Valid government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license)
  • If previously married, proof of dissolution
  • Both parties present for the application and ceremony
  • No witnesses required for a confidential marriage license

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I get legally married in California even if I live abroad?
Yes. California does not require residency to get legally married.

Will my marriage be valid internationally?
Yes, especially if you get your certificate apostilled.

Do I need to have a wedding ceremony overseas after eloping?
No. Many couples elope for the legal part and skip the destination ceremony altogether.

Is eloping considered a legal marriage?
Yes, as long as the license is properly issued and the officiant is authorized.

Can you help with getting the apostille for use overseas?
Yes, we handle the apostille process for you.

Why International Couples Trust Get Married Today

  • We provide everything in one visit: license, officiant, ceremony, filing.
  • Open 7 days a week, including holidays and evenings.
  • Military discounts for active service members.
  • Experience with couples from over 50 countries.
  • Specialization in marriages for immigration.

Final Thoughts: Say “I Do” to Simplicity and Certainty

A destination wedding may be your dream, but a legal elopement in California is your foundation. Let Get Married Today help you simplify the process so your symbolic ceremony can shine—worry-free.

Start with us and get legally married today. Then, travel the world together, with your official paperwork already in hand.

👉 Book your appointment now
👉 Contact us to learn more about legal marriage, apostilles, or international requirements

50 Helpful Backlinks for International Elopements and Legal Marriages

https://getmarried.today/book-now/
https://getmarried.today/apostille-marriage-certificate/
https://getmarried.today/same-day-wedding-officiant/
https://getmarried.today/military-weddings/
https://getmarried.today/marriage-for-immigration/
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Marriage-Certificates.aspx
https://www.sos.ca.gov/notary/request-apostille
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal-considerations/judicial/country/country-specific.html
https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-green-card
https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-family-preference-immigrants
https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/public-charge
https://ec.europa.eu/info/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/eu-citizenship/rights/family-reunification_en
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10023.pdf
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/name-change/
https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/
https://www.vitalchek.com/marriage-certificates
https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad
https://www.state.gov/apostille-requirements-by-country/
https://www.oecd.org/migration/mobility-family/
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1819a/19bd004
https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates
https://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/family-and-community/marriage
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/guides/marriage_abroad
https://www.italy-usa.org/marriage-abroad.html
https://www.ambafrance-us.org/spip.php?article797
https://www.usembassy.gov/
https://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/birth-family-relationships/getting_married/getting_married_abroad.html
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F930
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/147/family-law
https://www.international.gc.ca/consular-consulaire/marriage-mariage.aspx?lang=eng
https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part-21-children-and-protected-parties#21.10
https://www.gov.za/services/marriage/register-civil-union
https://marriage.nt.gov.au/
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/marriage.html
https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/marriage/
https://www.gov.sg/marriage-overseas
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/apply-renew-pr-card.html
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/legal/marriage-overseas
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/getting-married-abroad
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/53c14-getting-married-abroad/
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marriage-abroad-country-specific-information
https://www.internationalapostille.com/marriage-certificate-apostille/
https://www.usmarriagelaws.com/marriage-license/california/
https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2019/01/notarizing-documents-for-use-abroad
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/marriage-basics-faq-29041.html
https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/what-makes-a-marriage-legal
https://www.hagueapostille.co.uk/apostille-marriage-certificate/
https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page22e_000921.html