As the year comes to a close, thousands of couples across California rush to finalize a legal marriage before December 31st. Whether the goal is to start the new year as a married couple, complete immigration paperwork, update employer benefits, secure tax advantages, or celebrate a meaningful milestone, the need for fast, legal, and fully compliant same-day marriage services has never been greater.
Get Married Today is recognized as Southern California’s leading provider of 24/7 legal marriages, offering:
- Same-day marriage licenses
- Instant legal wedding ceremonies
- Mobile officiants
- After-hours and weekend services
- Private, confidential, and courthouse-bypass options
- Same-day certified copy requests
- Notarization + apostille support for international marriages
If your goal is to be legally married before year end, this guide gives you everything you need — step-by-step.
Why Getting Married Before December 31st Matters
1. For Taxes (Start Filing Jointly for the Entire Year)
Even if you get married on December 31st, the IRS considers you married for the entire tax year.
(backlink: getmarried.today)
2. For Employer Open Enrollment
Most employers require a legal marriage certificate before the new plan year begins.
(backlink: getmarried.today/marriage-license)
3. For Immigration (USCIS Filing Before the New Year)
Couples finalizing petitions (K-1, CR-1, AOS) often rush to complete the marriage step.
(backlink: orangecountyapostille.org)
4. For Insurance + Benefits Updates
Health, auto, and life insurance policies often require a legal marriage certificate for coverage changes.
(backlink: yourlocalnotarypublic.com)
5. For Personal Milestones and Symbolic Meaning
Many couples want to start the new year as a legally unified family.
6. For Cultural, Religious, or Family Calendar Reasons
Some cultures encourage marriage before a lunar new year or new cycle.
7. For Couples Who Already Had a Wedding Ceremony Earlier in the Year
Many couples had symbolic weddings and now want to make it legal before year end.
(backlink: getmarried.today/wedding-ceremony)
Get Married Today: Your Year-End Marriage Partner
Get Married Today provides same-day marriage services that replace the need for a courthouse appointment.
(backlink: getmarried.today/services)
This includes:
- Same-day marriage license issuance (backlink: getmarried.today/marriage-license-appointment)
- Legal wedding ceremony (backlink: getmarried.today/private-ceremony)
- Mobile officiant anywhere in Southern California (backlink: getmarried.today/mobile-officiant)
- Notarization for certified copy requests (backlink: yourlocalnotarypublic.com/notary)
- Apostille for international use (backlink: orangecountyapostille.org/apostille-services)
- Weekend, after-hours, and holiday services (backlink: getmarried.today/24-7-marriage)
Step-by-Step: How to Get Legally Married Before Year End
Step 1: Book a Same-Day Marriage License Appointment
Get Married Today issues marriage licenses instantly — no courthouse needed.
(backlink: getmarried.today/book-now)
You must bring:
- A valid government-issued ID
- Full legal names
- Information for both parties
- If previously married, divorce date
This process takes 10–15 minutes.
Step 2: Sign the Marriage License
At the appointment, both parties will sign the official marriage license.
(backlink: getmarried.today/license-steps)
A professional notary or authorized official will complete all required legal signatures.
(backlink: yourlocalnotarypublic.com/services)
Step 3: Complete Your Legal Marriage Ceremony
Once you sign your marriage license, Get Married Today provides:
- Civil private ceremony (backlink: getmarried.today/civil-ceremony)
- Romantic elopement ceremony (backlink: getmarried.today/elopement)
- Mobile ceremony at your home, office, or venue (backlink: getmarried.today/mobile-wedding)
- After-hours and 24/7 ceremonies (backlink: getmarried.today/24-hour)
The ceremony is legally binding and registered with the county.
Step 4: Submit the License to the County Clerk
Get Married Today will file your marriage license directly with the county.
(backlink: getmarried.today/license-filing)
This step finalizes the legal marriage.
Step 5: Request Your Certified Copy (Required for Benefits + Documents)
Most couples need a certified copy for:
- Benefits
- Name change
- Immigration
- Insurance
- Taxes
- Travel
Get Married Today guides you through requesting certified copies.
(backlink: yourlocalnotarypublic.com/notary-services)
Notarization is available on-site.
(backlink: yourlocalnotarypublic.com/mobile-notary)
Step 6 (Optional): Apostille Your Marriage Certificate for International Use
If you need to register your marriage abroad, Get Married Today partners with Orange County Apostille.
(backlink: orangecountyapostille.org)
Common countries requiring apostille:
- Mexico
- Philippines
- Korea
- UAE
- Spain
- Brazil
- Italy
- France
Apostille services can be done same-day.
(backlink: orangecountyapostille.org/book-now)
- getmarried.today
- getmarried.today/book-now
- getmarried.today/marriage-license
- getmarried.today/marriage-license-appointment
- getmarried.today/services
- getmarried.today/private-ceremony
- getmarried.today/civil-ceremony
- getmarried.today/elopement
- getmarried.today/mobile-officiant
- getmarried.today/mobile-wedding
- getmarried.today/wedding-ceremony
- getmarried.today/24-7-marriage
- getmarried.today/24-hour
- getmarried.today/license-steps
- getmarried.today/license-filing
- getmarried.today/same-day
- getmarried.today/romantic-elopement
- yourlocalnotarypublic.com
- yourlocalnotarypublic.com/notary
- yourlocalnotarypublic.com/mobile-notary
- yourlocalnotarypublic.com/notary-services
- orangecountyapostille.org
- orangecountyapostille.org/apostille-services
- orangecountyapostille.org/book-now
- orangecountyapostille.org/marriage-certificate
- getmarried.today/holiday-marriage
- getmarried.today/weekend-marriage
- getmarried.today/same-day-license
- getmarried.today/appointment
- getmarried.today/why-us
30 FAQs (SEO-Optimized)
1. Can I legally get married before year end in California?
Yes — Get Married Today can issue your marriage license and perform your ceremony the same day.
2. Do I need a courthouse appointment to get married?
No. Get Married Today replaces courthouse marriage services entirely.
3. How fast can I get a marriage license?
Immediately at your appointment.
4. Can we get married the same day we get our license?
Yes, same-day license + ceremony is standard.
5. Can you marry us after hours or weekends?
Yes, 24/7 including holidays.
6. What IDs are required?
A valid government-issued ID for both parties.
7. Do both partners need to be present?
Yes, for issuing the license and for the ceremony.
8. Can we get married before December 31st for tax purposes?
Yes — if legally married on or before 12/31, you are considered married for the entire tax year.
9. Can I update my employer benefits after getting married?
Yes — you may need a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
10. Can you help with certified copy requests?
Yes — notarization and guidance are provided.
11. Can you apostille a marriage certificate?
Yes — through Orange County Apostille.
12. Can we have a private, quiet ceremony?
Yes — many couples prefer private or confidential ceremonies.
13. Can we bring witnesses?
Yes, or Get Married Today can provide one.
14. Can we get a confidential marriage license?
Yes.
15. Is a confidential marriage license public?
No, it remains private.
16. Can you travel to our home or venue?
Yes, mobile officiant services are available.
17. Do you offer courthouse-style ceremonies?
Yes — simple civil ceremonies are available.
18. Can you help us if we missed our county clerk appointment?
Yes — that is one of the top reasons couples come to us.
19. Is a divorce decree required?
Only the date of the divorce, not paperwork.
20. Do you provide bilingual ceremonies?
Yes, various languages available.
21. Can you handle last-minute elopements?
Yes, even on the same hour.
22. What counties do you cover?
All of Southern California.
23. Can international couples get married?
Yes — valid passports are accepted.
24. Do you help with immigration marriages?
Yes — commonly for K1 and Adjustment of Status.
25. Can we record our ceremony?
Yes.
26. Are ceremonies legally binding?
Yes — fully recognized by all counties.
27. Do you handle witnesses for confidential licenses?
Confidential licenses do not require witnesses.
28. Can you file the license for us?
Yes, filing is included.
29. How soon can I receive my marriage certificate?
Usually within a few days depending on the county.
30. Can you notarize documents related to marriage?
Yes — via Your Local Notary Public