Confidential Marriage License

What is a Confidential Marriage License?

When planning a legal marriage in California, many couples assume a traditional, public marriage license is their only option. However, there’s a lesser-known but incredibly beneficial alternative available: the confidential marriage license. At Get Married Today, we help couples legally marry the same day, and for many of our clients—especially those seeking privacy, security, or urgency—a confidential license is the perfect solution.

Confidential Marriage License in California: What It Is, How It Works, and Why You Might Want One

A confidential marriage license is a legally valid marriage license in California that is not part of the public record. This means no one—not friends, family members, private investigators, or the press—can access your marriage record without a court order.

It’s a completely legal and binding marriage license under California law, but it provides an added layer of privacy and discretion. The record is filed with the county but is only accessible by the married couple or by court order.

📌 Learn more: Marriage license vs. marriage certificate

Confidential vs. Public Marriage License: Key Differences

Feature	Confidential License	Public License
Privacy	Not public record	Public record
Who Can Request a Copy	Only the married couple	Anyone can request
Witness Required?	No	Yes (one witness required)
Eligibility Requirement	Plan on living together	No cohabitation requirement
Where It’s Filed	County Clerk’s Office	County Clerk’s Office
Apostille Eligible?	Yes	Yes
Same-Day Availability?	Yes, with Get Married Today

Both types of licenses allow for legal marriage in California, and both result in a certified marriage certificate. However, confidential marriage licenses offer unmatched privacy and simplicity.

Top Benefits of a Confidential Marriage License

1.Privacy & Discretion

Perhaps the biggest benefit is that your marriage is not listed as a public record. This is ideal for:

Public figures or celebrities
Couples with religious or cultural concerns
People who want to keep their relationship private from family or employers
Anyone avoiding potential harassment or conflict

No one can look up your marriage unless you give them the certified copy or they get a court order.

2. No Witness Required

Unlike a public marriage license, a confidential marriage license does not require a witness to sign the license during the ceremony. This makes it:

Easier to elope privately
Simpler for hospital, home, or emergency weddings
Convenient for military members or immigrants with no local contacts

💍 Book a private ceremony now: https://getmarried.today

3.Same-Day Availability

At Get Married Today, we issue confidential marriage licenses the same day—no courthouse appointment needed. Whether you’re eloping or facing an urgent deadline (like immigration, deployment, or pregnancy), we can legally marry you quickly and discreetly.

4. Valid for Apostille and International Use

A confidential marriage license still results in a certified marriage certificate that can be used for:

Immigration filings
Social Security updates
Health insurance or employee benefit enrollment
Apostille certification for overseas marriage recognition

🌍 Need an apostille? Orange County Apostille can help.

5.Protection from Identity Theft and Fraud

Since your marriage is not searchable online or available to third parties, a confidential marriage license helps reduce the risk of:

Identity theft
Stalking
Fraudulent activity

This is especially helpful for individuals in high-profile or vulnerable positions.

6.Perfect for Reconciliation or Second Marriages

Some couples may wish to remarry each other, reconcile privately, or avoid announcing a new marriage to the public. A confidential license protects your personal decision and helps you move forward without judgment or scrutiny.

Who Qualifies for a Confidential Marriage License?

To be eligible for a confidential license in California, you must:

Be over 18 years old (or have a court order if underage)
Be living together as spouses at the time of the license application
Be getting married in California
Present valid identification (driver’s license, passport, military ID, etc.)

That’s it! You do not need to prove cohabitation. Simply affirm that you currently live together.

How to Get a Confidential Marriage License with

Get Married Today

We make it simple and stress-free:

Book your appointment online – https://getmarried.today
Meet us at your preferred location (home, park, hospital, etc.)
We issue the confidential marriage license on the spot
We perform the ceremony—no witness needed
We file the license with the county the same day
You receive your certified marriage certificate by mail

Everything is taken care of in one visit. No courthouse. No long wait. Just legal love—on your terms.

Final Thoughts: Is a Confidential Marriage Right for You?

A confidential marriage license is ideal for couples who value privacy, simplicity, and convenience. Whether you’re planning a secret elopement, protecting your identity, or just prefer to keep things low-key, this option gives you all the legal recognition of marriage without the public attention.

At Get Married Today, we specialize in helping couples get legally married 24/7, even on weekends and holidays. Our team of licensed officiants and county-authorized agents can provide your marriage license and ceremony on the same day—confidentially and professionally.