STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: MILITARY MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA + BENEFITS PROCESS
STEP 1: Gather Required Identification Documents
Before marriage, both partners will need:
- Valid government-issued photo ID ▸ Examples: Military ID, U.S. passport, state-issued driver’s license
- If previously married: ▸ Certified copy of divorce decree or death certificate
Note: You do not need to be a California resident, and no blood test is required.
STEP 2: Choose a Public or Confidential Marriage License
You must obtain either a:
- Public Marriage License (recommended for military use) ▸ Becomes public record and usable in all legal and military filings
- Confidential Marriage License (only if you’re living together, not ideal for military filings)
Issued by:
- County Clerk’s Office OR
- Authorized Private Marriage License Issuer like Get Married Today (we come to you and provide same-day license and ceremony)
STEP 3: Book a Same-Day Marriage Service Appointment (Optional but Faster)
If you need to get married urgently or on short notice:
- Schedule an appointment with Get Married Today
- We issue the license, perform the ceremony, file the paperwork, and order certified copies
- We’re mobile: We meet you at home, military base, hotel, or chapel
STEP 4: Complete the Marriage License Application
At your appointment or at the County Clerk’s Office, you’ll:
- Fill out the marriage license application
- Present your IDs
- Sign in front of the license issuer
- Pay the fee (varies by county, usually $85–$105)
No witnesses required for confidential licenses
1 witness required for public licenses (we can provide one if needed)
STEP 5: Get Legally Married and Have the License Signed
- A legally authorized officiant must perform the ceremony
- Get Married Today provides a licensed minister for every appointment
- After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license with required witness(es)
You will receive a Proof of Marriage immediately after
STEP 6: Submit Your Marriage License for Recording
After the ceremony:
- Public Marriage License: Must be submitted to the County Clerk/Recorder in the county where it was issued
- Confidential License: Filed directly by the officiant or issuer
If using Get Married Today, we handle the submission for you.
You’ll receive a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate within 5–8 weeks by mail.
STEP 7: Order Certified Copies of Your Marriage Certificate
To update your records and enroll for benefits, you’ll need certified copies:
- Use the request form from the County Recorder or
- Let Get Married Today order them on your behalf
Submit certified copies with all benefit forms below
STEP 8: Update Your Military Records & Enroll Your Spouse
Now that you are legally married, you must notify the military and submit the following:
📄 DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO ENROLL SPOUSE & RECEIVE BENEFITS:
| DOCUMENT | PURPOSE |
|---|---|
| ✅ Certified Marriage Certificate | Required for all military benefit filings |
| ✅ DD Form 1172-2 | DEERS Enrollment for spouse |
| ✅ Servicemember’s Orders | For BAH/PCS updates |
| ✅ Spouse’s Photo ID & SSN | Required for DEERS & Tricare |
| ✅ NAVPERS 1070/602 (Page 2) or equivalent | Update Emergency Contact/Dependent Info |
| ✅ SGLI Beneficiary Update | Optional – Update life insurance |
| ✅ DA Form 5960 or branch-specific housing form | Start or modify BAH based on marital status |
STEP 9: Go to DEERS Office for Enrollment
- Bring:
- Certified Marriage Certificate
- Spouse’s ID and SSN
- Completed DD 1172-2
- Your military ID
Visit your base’s ID Card/DEERS Office (usually at the Personnel Support Detachment or Pass & ID Office)
Search locations:
🔗 https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/
STEP 10: Submit Housing & Pay Forms for BAH
Submit the appropriate BAH form for your branch:
- Army: DA Form 5960
- Navy/Marine Corps: Dependency Application via NSIPS
- Air Force/Space Force: AF Form 594
- Coast Guard: CG-4170A
Include:
- Certified Marriage Certificate
- Copy of Spouse’s ID
- Orders if applicable
Submit to:
- Finance Office or
- Admin/Personnel Office (PSD, S1, etc.)
STEP 11: Update Tricare & Dental Plans
Once DEERS is updated:
- Enroll your spouse in Tricare Prime or Select
- Enroll in Tricare Dental Plan (TDP) if desired
Visit:
STEP 12: Consider Optional Legal Updates
- Update SGLI Beneficiaries: https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/
- Add Spouse to Emergency Contact (Record of Emergency Data)
- Update Service Record (Page 2 / RED)
- Start Command Sponsorship paperwork (for overseas assignments)
- Start Immigration process (if spouse is not a U.S. citizen)
🔗 50 BACKLINK RESOURCES FOR MILITARY MARRIAGE & BENEFITS
- Get Married Today – Same Day Military Marriage
- California Marriage License – CDPH
- Tricare – Marriage Benefits
- Defense Finance and Accounting Service – BAH
- milConnect – DEERS Access
- California Secretary of State – Apostille
- Army BAH Policy
- Navy Pay and Personnel Support
- Marine Corps Pay Info
- Air Force Housing and Benefits
- Space Force Resources
- Coast Guard Personnel Center
- USCIS Military Immigration Info
- Tricare Dental Plan
- ID Card Office Locator
- Navy NSIPS Access
- Army DA Form 5960
- AF Form 594 – Air Force BAH
- USMC Dependency Forms
- SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES)
- VA Benefits for Spouses
- Blue Star Families
- American Red Cross – Military Family Support
- Military OneSource – Marriage
- Legal Assistance for Military Members
- DEERS Update Info
- Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)
- USCIS Green Card Through Marriage
- U.S. Department of State Apostille
- California Family Code – Marriage
- California County Clerk Contact Info
- San Diego County Marriage
- Los Angeles Marriage License
- Orange County Marriage License
- Riverside Marriage Info
- Military Spouse Career Resources
- Veterans Benefits for Spouses
- MyPay – DFAS Login
- Military Personnel Records Update
- Tricare Overseas (if applicable)
- DoD Forms Management Program
- Military Spouse Magazine
- National Military Family Association
- Navy Legal Services
- Your Local Notary Public
- Orange County Apostille Services
- Defense.gov Family Support
- BAH Rate Lookup
- U.S. Armed Forces Legal Guide
- Get Married Today – Book Appointment
California Department of Public Health – Marriage Licenses
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk – Marriage Services
Orange County Clerk-Recorder – Marriage Services
San Diego County – Marriage Licenses
Riverside County Clerk – Marriage License Info
Sacramento County Clerk – Marriage License Appointments
San Bernardino County Recorder – Marriage Services
City of Beverly Hills – Marriage Services
City of Newport Beach – Marriage License Information
City of Anaheim – City Clerk’s Marriage Page
U.S. Department of State – Marriage Abroad
California Courts – Marriage Overview
National Center for Health Statistics – Marriage & Divorce
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy
California Legislative Information – Marriage Laws
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – Marriage-Based Green Card
Los Angeles Times – Marriage Licenses Info
Visit California – Romantic Getaways
City of San Juan Capistrano – Marriage Services
City of Irvine – Marriage Info
California Department of Consumer Affairs – Marriage Officiants
County of Ventura – Marriage Services
City of West Hollywood – Marriage License Information
City of Long Beach – Marriage License
City of Santa Monica – Marriage Ceremonies
City of Pasadena – City Clerk Marriage Page
California Department of Social Services – Marriage Programs
U.S. Embassy – Marriage Requirements by Country
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Marriage Trends
California Association of Legal Document Assistants
City of Laguna Beach – Marriage Licensing
City of Huntington Beach – Marriage Services
City of Costa Mesa – Marriage Licensing
City of Fountain Valley – City Clerk Marriage
City of Santa Ana – Marriage License Services
California Secretary of State – Notary Public
City of Garden Grove – Marriage Information
City of Fullerton – Marriage Services
WeddingWire – Same Day Wedding Vendors
Martha Stewart Weddings – Wedding Planning Tools
Los Angeles Wedding Officiant Services
Offbeat Bride – Unique Elopement Ideas
Simply Eloped – California Packages
Forevermore Weddings California
Marriage License Fast Track – Orange County
Love Stream – Virtual Weddings
Los Angeles County – Confidential Marriage License
LA Wedding Woman – Same Day Services
Los Angeles Courthouse Weddings
Chapel of the Flowers – Vegas Elopements
City of Burbank – Marriage Services
City of Glendale Clerk Services
Oceanside City Clerk – Marriage
Carlsbad City Clerk – Marriage Info
San Clemente Marriage Licensing
City of Dana Point Clerk Services
Aliso Viejo Clerk – Marriage Info
California Notary Public Directory
State Bar of California – Legal Help
Better Business Bureau – Wedding Vendors
Yelp – Same Day Marriage Services
Wedding Spot – California Packages
Elopement Vendors – California
Pop the Knot – Pop-Up Weddings
Elopement Love – Southern California
Wedding Maps – Elopement Locations
U.S. Census Bureau – Marriage Data
California Legislative Analyst’s Office – Family Services
State of California – Online Services
Universal Life Church – Become an Officiant
Marriage License Lookup California
U.S. Government Services – Marriage Requirements
Marriage License Express Services
LegalZoom – Marriage License Overview
FindLaw – Marriage Law in California
AVVO – Marriage and Family Lawyers
Wedding Pro – Local Wedding Pros
Thumbtack – Local Wedding Officiants
Zankyou – Wedding Planning Tools