UncategorizedOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025Nancy

When you’re in love across borders, time is everything. Many couples find themselves waiting for government offices, embassies, and paperwork to move forward — but in California, you can make your union official in one day.

With Get Married Today, international couples, K-1 visa holders, and U.S. citizens marrying foreign fiancés can elope legally with a same-day marriage license, ceremony, notary, and apostille — all completed under one roof.

Whether your fiancé is still abroad or has just arrived in the U.S., here’s how you can make your marriage official quickly and prepare your documents for immigration approval.

1. What Is an Elopement for a Fiancé Visa?

An elopement for a fiancé visa is a simplified legal marriage process designed for couples who need to get married quickly to comply with immigration deadlines or prepare documentation for a K-1 or spousal visa.

In most cases, couples choose to elope to avoid courthouse delays or complex county clerk appointments. With services like GetMarried.Today, you can get married in one visit, without going through government offices.

2. Understanding the Fiancé Visa (K-1) Process

A K-1 Fiancé Visa allows a foreign national engaged to a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of marriage.
Here’s how it works:

The U.S. citizen files Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé).
The foreign fiancé attends a visa interview abroad.
Once approved, they enter the U.S. and must marry within 90 days.
After marriage, they apply for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) to obtain a green card.

If your fiancé is still abroad, you can prepare your documents early. If they’re already here, you can legally marry the same day with a confidential or public marriage license issued by Get Married Today.

3. Same-Day Legal Marriage in California

California allows Authorized Marriage Commissioners to issue and perform legal marriages outside the county clerk’s office.
That means with GetMarried.Today, you can:

Receive your marriage license on the spot
Have your ceremony performed immediately
Get your license filed with the county the same day
Receive proof of marriage for immigration or embassy use

It’s perfect for K-1 visa couples who must marry within 90 days or who need a valid U.S. marriage certificate for consular submission.

4. Confidential Marriage License Option

California’s Confidential Marriage License offers privacy benefits, ideal for immigration or personal discretion:

Not part of public record
Can be issued directly by Get Married Today
Does not require witnesses
Can be apostilled or certified later for immigration purposes

Learn more about this secure option at GetMarried.Today/confidential-marriage-license.

5. Legal Elopement Ceremony Options

Get Married Today performs ceremonies across Southern California — from beach elopements to private office weddings — in locations like:

Anaheim
Irvine
San Juan Capistrano
Los Angeles
Newport Beach

Each ceremony includes a licensed officiant, marriage certificate processing, and legal documentation ready for use with USCIS, NVC, or your country’s consulate.

6. Apostille and Translation for Immigration Documents

Once your marriage is complete, you may need to authenticate or apostille your marriage certificate for use abroad or with embassies.

At OrangeCountyApostille.org, your documents can be:

Apostilled for international use under the Hague Convention
Notarized and certified by Your Local Notary Public
Translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Tagalog, or Arabic

These services ensure your U.S. marriage certificate is recognized by foreign governments, consulates, or immigration offices.

7. Preparing Documents Before Your Fiancé Arrives

If your fiancé is still waiting for visa approval, you can prepare by:

Drafting your Letter of Intent to Marry (for Form I-129F)
Preparing Affidavits of Support and Proof of Relationship
Getting your Affidavit of Single Status notarized through YourLocalNotaryPublic.com
Having the document apostilled through OrangeCountyApostille.org

This early preparation ensures your consular interview moves quickly and your records are properly authenticated.

8. Marrying Within 90 Days After Arrival

Once your fiancé enters the U.S. on a K-1 visa, you must marry within 90 days.
Delays can jeopardize the visa or require restarting the process.

With GetMarried.Today, couples can:

Book online
Get legally married the same day
Receive documentation for USCIS Adjustment of Status
Request certified copies for Form I-485 submission

Everything is handled seamlessly, so your immigration timeline stays on track.

9. Apostille and Authentication for USCIS and Embassies

Orange County Apostille handles same-day authentication for:

Marriage certificates
Birth certificates
Divorce decrees
Single status affidavits
Translations for embassy use

Each document is reviewed for accuracy, notarized by Your Local Notary Public, and authenticated by the California Secretary of State.

10. After Marriage: What Happens Next

After your elopement and legal filing, your next steps are:

Wait for your certified marriage certificate (1–3 weeks).
File Form I-485 for Adjustment of Status.
Submit your marriage certificate as proof of bona fide marriage.
Attend your biometrics appointment and USCIS interview.

Your legal marriage through Get Married Today is fully recognized for immigration and legal purposes worldwide.

11. Benefits of Eloping Through Get Married Today

Couples choose Get Married Today because:

No County Clerk visits required
Same-day license & ceremony
Private and confidential
Apostille, notary & translation in one place
Available 7 days a week
Recognized globally

Whether you’re in California, abroad, or newly arrived on a K-1 visa, you can complete your marriage quickly, privately, and legally.

12. Coordinating Notary and Apostille for Immigration Forms

Your Local Notary Public helps with all immigration-related notarizations, including:

Form I-134 Affidavit of Support
Letter of Intent to Marry
Name change affidavits
Joint financial statements
Translations and sworn statements

Once notarized, they can be directly submitted for apostille processing by Orange County Apostille, ensuring compliance for international or USCIS use.

13. Choosing the Right Elopement Package

Get Married Today offers:

In-Office Elopement Packages – Simple, fast, all-inclusive.
Destination Elopements – Beaches, parks, hotels, or private venues.
Confidential Marriage Packages – Fully private and legal.
Military & Immigration-Ready Packages – With apostille and certified copies.

Each option includes everything you need for your legal and immigration process.

14. Elopement for Couples Abroad

If your fiancé is still abroad and you wish to marry before applying for a spousal visa (CR-1/IR-1), you can have your marriage certificate apostilled and sent overseas for embassy use.

OrangeCountyApostille.org offers international shipping, so your documents can be delivered directly to embassies, attorneys, or family members abroad.

15. Trusted Partners for International Marriage Documentation

GetMarried.Today: Legal same-day marriage & officiant services
YourLocalNotaryPublic.com: Mobile and in-office notarization for immigration documents
OrangeCountyApostille.org: Fast apostille & authentication for global document use

Together, these three services handle your entire journey — from proposal to marriage to immigration success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I get married before my fiancé’s visa is approved?

Yes. You can marry before visa approval, but if your fiancé is outside the U.S., you’ll need to apply for a spousal visa (CR-1/IR-1) instead of a K-1 visa.

2. Can we marry the same day my fiancé arrives in the U.S.?

Yes. As soon as your fiancé enters on a K-1 visa, you can legally marry with Get Married Today — same day, no county clerk visit needed.

3. What documents do we need for a same-day marriage?

You’ll need valid IDs, proof of legal entry (if applicable), and basic information for your marriage license.

4. How soon will our marriage certificate be ready?

Proof of marriage is issued same day; certified copies arrive in about 1–3 weeks.

5. Is a California marriage valid for immigration anywhere in the U.S.?

Absolutely. California marriages are recognized nationwide and for all immigration purposes.

6. What if we want our marriage to remain private?

Choose a Confidential Marriage License through Get Married Today. It’s legal, valid, and not part of public record.

7. Can I apostille my marriage certificate for another country?

Yes — OrangeCountyApostille.org provides apostilles for all Hague Convention countries.

8. How do I notarize immigration affidavits or letters?

Use YourLocalNotaryPublic.com for fast mobile or in-office notarization, compliant with California law.

9. Can Get Married Today issue a marriage license outside the clerk’s office?

Yes, authorized marriage commissioners can issue and perform marriages legally on-site.

10. What if we need a translation for immigration?

Your documents can be translated and certified in-house for immigration or embassy use.

11. Is elopement legal for international couples?

Yes. As long as you have valid identification and eligibility, your marriage is fully legal and recognized.

12. Do I need witnesses?

Not for a Confidential Marriage License — Get Married Today can handle it privately.

13. Can I order extra certified copies for USCIS?

Yes. Get Married Today can assist you or guide you to order more from the county clerk.

14. What if I need my documents mailed abroad?

Orange County Apostille can ship worldwide with DHL or FedEx international service.

15. Can we have our ceremony anywhere?

Yes — elope at home, beach, park, or private location; Get Married Today travels anywhere in Southern California.

GetMarried.Today
YourLocalNotaryPublic.com
OrangeCountyApostille.org