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Introduction: Why California Is the Easiest Place for Tourists to Get Legally Married

California has become one of the world’s most popular destinations for tourist weddings — not only because of its beaches, weather, and romantic views, but because the legal requirements are among the simplest in the United States. Tourists from any country can legally marry in California, and the marriage is recognized globally with proper documentation.

This guide explains everything a tourist needs to legally marry in California, including:

  • What documents tourists must bring
  • Whether a visa is required
  • How to get a same-day marriage license
  • Whether you need a witness
  • Options for confidential marriage licenses
  • How to get an apostille for international use
  • How Get Married Today helps tourists complete legal marriages, ceremonies, and documentation all in one day

This article is optimized for 2025 California regulations and includes 30 internal backlinks for SEO support.

SECTION 1 — Can Tourists Get Legally Married in California? (Yes — And It’s Easy)

California has no residency requirement. That means:

  • You do NOT need to live in California
  • You do NOT need U.S. citizenship
  • You do NOT need a visa to get married in the state
  • You can marry on a tourist visa or ESTA
  • Same-day marriages are fully allowed

Whether a couple is visiting from Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, Australia, or another U.S. state, all marriages performed in California are legally valid.

SECTION 2 — Document Requirements for Tourists Getting Married in California

Tourists only need one primary requirement to get legally married:

A valid, government-issued ID.

California accepts the following:

  • Passport (most common for international tourists)
  • Foreign national ID card
  • Driver’s license (U.S. or foreign)
  • Consular ID
  • U.S. state ID
  • Military ID

Your ID must be:

  • Valid (not expired)
  • In English or with a certified translation

If your passport is not in English or uses a different alphabet (Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Thai, Armenian, Farsi, Hebrew, etc.), Get Married Today can assist with translation through partner services such as OrangeCountyApostille.org and YourLocalNotaryPublic.com.

SECTION 3 — Do Tourists Need a Visa to Get Married in California?

No. Your immigration status does not affect your ability to marry in California.

Tourists can marry while:

  • On ESTA
  • On a B1/B2 tourist visa
  • On a visa waiver
  • On an expired U.S. visa (marriage is still legal)
  • Visiting from another country without U.S. residency
  • Holding dual citizenship

Marriage is a state-level civil event — not federal immigration.

SECTION 4 — How Tourists Can Get a Same-Day Marriage License in California

One of the biggest advantages of marrying in California is the option to receive a same-day marriage license through a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages, such as Get Married Today.

Tourists do not need:

  • An appointment with the county clerk
  • To wait in lines
  • To return multiple days
  • To navigate government hours

Get Married Today can issue the marriage license directly — anywhere, any day of the year.

SECTION 5 — Requirements for a Marriage Ceremony in California for Tourists

To make your marriage legally binding, California requires:

1. A Marriage License

Obtained same-day through Get Married Today.

2. An Authorized Officiant

Tourists may use:

  • A Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages
  • A California notary who is authorized to issue licenses
  • A judge or clergy member
  • A Get Married Today officiant

3. A Ceremony

Ceremony can be:

  • Simple
  • Private
  • Religious
  • Secular
  • Elopement style
  • Beach wedding
  • Hotel room ceremony
  • Park or scenic location

4. Witness Requirement

This depends on the license type:

  • Public marriage license: One witness required
  • Confidential marriage license: No witness required

Tourists who don’t have a witness can use a staff member from Get Married Today.

SECTION 6 — Do Tourists Need to Take a Blood Test?

No. California has no blood test requirement.

SECTION 7 — How Tourists Can Get an Apostille for International Recognition

If the marriage certificate will be used outside the United States, many countries require an apostille or embassy legalization.

Tourists often need an apostille for:

  • Immigration
  • Visa applications
  • Name change
  • Marriage registration abroad
  • Tax or residency purposes

Get Married Today works with Orange County Apostille to provide:

  • California apostille
  • U.S. federal apostille
  • Embassy legalization
  • Certified translations
  • Notary services

SECTION 8 — How Long Do Tourists Need to Stay in California to Get Married?

Tourists can:

  • Fly in
  • Get their marriage license
  • Have their ceremony
  • Receive documentation
  • Fly out the same day

There is no waiting period.

There is no residency period.

Couples who want photos or a longer stay can extend their visit, but legally it is not required.

SECTION 9 — Popular Wedding Locations for Tourists Using Get Married Today

Tourists often choose:

  • Laguna Beach
  • Newport Beach
  • Huntington Beach
  • Irvine
  • Anaheim
  • Los Angeles
  • Malibu
  • Big Sur
  • San Diego
  • Joshua Tree

Get Married Today provides mobile officiants and same-day marriage licenses at beaches, hotels, parks, and private properties.

SECTION 10 — Step-by-Step: How Tourists Get Married in California in One Day

Step 1 — Bring Your ID

Passport or government ID.

Step 2 — Meet with Get Married Today

Same-day marriage license issued anywhere.

Step 3 — Sign Your Marriage License

Takes 10–15 minutes.

Step 4 — Ceremony

Performed immediately afterward.

Step 5 — Filing With the County

Get Married Today files the license on your behalf.

Step 6 — Obtain Certified Copy

Tourists may need the certified copy for:

  • Immigration
  • Embassy
  • Name changes
  • Marriage registration abroad

Step 7 — Apostille or Embassy Legalization

Optional, but required for many countries.

30 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Can tourists legally get married in California? Yes. California allows any tourist, regardless of nationality or residency, to legally marry as long as they provide valid identification.
  2. Do we need a visa to get married in California? No. Marriage laws are state-level and do not require any specific immigration status.
  3. Can tourists get a same-day marriage license? Yes. A licensed Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages can issue a same-day license.
  4. What ID is required? A passport or government-issued photo ID is required.
  5. Can tourists use a foreign passport as ID? Yes, foreign passports are fully accepted.
  6. What if the passport is not in English? A certified translation may be required depending on the county.
  7. Is there a waiting period for tourists? No. California has no waiting period.
  8. Can tourists marry with an expired visa? Yes. Immigration status does not affect marriage rights.
  9. Do tourists need a witness? Only for public marriage licenses. Confidential licenses require no witness.
  10. Can tourists get a confidential marriage license? Yes, if both partners are at least 18 years old.
  11. Are tourist marriages recognized in other countries? Yes, but some countries require an apostille or embassy legalization.
  12. How do tourists get an apostille for their marriage certificate? Through a California apostille service after receiving the certified copy.
  13. Can a tourist get married on the same day they arrive? Yes. As long as they provide valid identification.
  14. Do tourists need to take a blood test? No. California does not require blood tests.
  15. Can same-sex international couples marry in California? Yes, all marriages are legally recognized regardless of gender.
  16. Are religious ceremonies required? No. A civil ceremony is sufficient.
  17. Can tourists have a beach ceremony? Yes, many California beaches allow ceremonies.
  18. Can we marry inside our hotel room? Yes, ceremonies can be performed at any private location.
  19. Can divorced tourists marry in California? Yes. They must know the exact date their prior marriage ended.
  20. Do tourists need to bring their divorce decree? Only if the divorce was finalized within the last 90 days.
  21. Is a U.S. Social Security Number required? No. Tourists may leave that field blank.
  22. Can tourists get married even if they overstayed a prior visa? Yes. Marriage legality is not tied to immigration status.
  23. Do tourists need to prove lawful presence? No documentation related to immigration is required.
  24. How soon is the marriage considered legal? Immediately after the ceremony and license signing.
  25. Can tourists get a certified marriage certificate mailed internationally? Yes, county clerks can send certificates abroad.
  26. What countries require apostille for marriage certificates? Countries in the Apostille Convention typically require apostille.
  27. Can tourists marry without family present? Yes, ceremonies can be private.
  28. Can a tourist use a mobile officiant service? Yes, anywhere in California.
  29. Do tourists need to appear in person for the marriage license? Yes, both partners must appear to sign the license.
  30. Can tourists get married in California while pregnant? Yes, pregnancy does not affect marriage eligibility.
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