A Christmas Wedding to Remember: How to Get Legally Married During the Holidays With Get Married Today
Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year to celebrate love. From the glow of holiday lights to the warmth of gathering with friends and family, December sets the perfect backdrop for couples who want to say “I Do.” But what many couples don’t realize is that getting legally married on Christmas or during the holiday season is absolutely possible — and Get Married Today makes the entire process fast, seamless, and stress-free.
Whether you’re planning a Christmas Eve ceremony, December 25th nuptials, or a romantic winter elopement anytime during the holidays, Get Married Today provides same-day marriage licensing, professional officiant services, and immediate legal filing, ensuring your marriage becomes official without dealing with courthouse closures or limited holiday hours.
This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about:
- How to legally get married on Christmas
- How to obtain a marriage license during holiday closures
- How Get Married Today handles the ceremony
- How the legal filing works
- Tips for planning a holiday elopement
- Required documents
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Why holiday elopements are more popular than ever
Let’s unwrap the full holiday marriage process step by step.
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Why Christmas Is the Perfect Holiday for a Legal Marriage
Couples choose Christmas for their wedding for many reasons:
✔️ Holiday magic enhances the romance
Twinkling lights, decorated trees, and cozy winter weather create a naturally beautiful setting.
✔️ Families are already gathered
Many couples take advantage of the season when their loved ones are in town.
✔️ Courthouse closures push couples to alternative legal options
Government offices often close for multiple days around Christmas. Get Married Today becomes the fastest and most reliable path to making your marriage official.
✔️ Symbolic new beginnings
Christmas symbolizes renewal, family, and unity — all deeply tied to marriage.
✔️ Perfect timing before the New Year
Some couples want their marital status to take effect before January 1st for personal, emotional, or employer benefits.
With Get Married Today, the holiday season becomes a stress-free moment to tie the knot legally — even on December 24th or 25th.
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Step-By-Step Guide: How to Get Legally Married on Christmas With Get Married Today
Below is the full legal process, from start to finish.
1. The Marriage License (Same Day — Even on Holidays)
Most couples worry that the county clerk is closed during Christmas. And that’s true — county clerk offices are typically closed December 24–25.
But Get Married Today solves this problem by providing a same-day, legally valid marriage license, issued by an authorized Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages.
What this means for you:
- No need to visit the courthouse
- No waiting for long holiday lines
- Legal marriage license issued the same day
- Available during closures, holidays, nights, and weekends
You simply provide valid government-issued identification and complete the application with your officiant. The license is then prepared, signed, and ready for your ceremony.
2. The Ceremony (Civil, Legal, and Customized)
Once your marriage license is issued, Get Married Today performs your ceremony immediately or at your chosen time.
Ceremony options include:
- Private in-office civil ceremony
- Outdoor ceremony with a holiday backdrop
- At-home Christmas ceremony
- Hotel ceremony
- Beach ceremony
- Holiday-themed vow exchange
All ceremonies are legally binding and conducted by a licensed officiant fully authorized by the State of California.
The ceremony includes:
- Legally required vows
- Declaration of intent
- Marriage solemnization
- Official signatures
You may personalize your vows, include readings, or keep it simple and intimate.
3. The Legal Filing (Same-Day Submission)
After the ceremony, Get Married Today handles the mandatory filing of your completed marriage license with the county.
Filing includes:
- Review of the license for accuracy
- Registrar-required completion steps
- Delivery to the appropriate county clerk
- Confirmation of receipt
You don’t have to submit anything yourself — the entire legal process is completed on your behalf, ensuring your marriage becomes official without delay.
This is especially valuable during the holidays, when county offices are closed, backlogged, or operating with limited hours.
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Required Documents for a Christmas Marriage
To legally marry with Get Married Today during the holidays, couples will need:
✔️ Valid government-issued ID
Acceptable forms include:
- State ID
- Driver license
- Passport
- Consular ID
✔️ Full legal names
Exactly as they appear on your identification.
✔️ Date of birth
✔️ Marital status
If previously married, the date the last marriage ended.
✔️ No witnesses required
In California, private marriage licenses do not require witnesses.
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Holiday Marriage Tips From Get Married Today
✔️ Plan in advance
Even though same-day services are available, holiday days fill quickly.
✔️ Select meaningful Christmas-themed vows
Some couples incorporate themes of joy, renewal, or family.
✔️ Choose a holiday backdrop
Christmas trees
Holiday lights
Fireplaces
City Christmas displays
Winter decor
✔️ Consider holiday colors
Red, gold, green, silver, or white attire pairs beautifully with the season.
✔️ Capture photos
Holiday environments create stunning elopement photography.
✔️ Celebrate immediately
Enjoy a Christmas dinner, winter getaway, or holiday celebration as newlyweds.
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Why Couples Choose Get Married Today for Christmas Weddings
Get Married Today has become the #1 choice for couples looking to legally marry during the holidays because:
✔️ We issue same-day marriage licenses
Including during Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and holiday closures.
✔️ We perform the ceremony
Professional, legal, and personalized.
✔️ We complete the county filing
You remain completely hands-off.
✔️ Zero courthouse involvement needed
No waiting, no closures, no limitations.
✔️ Fast, easy, and stress-free
Especially during the busiest season of the year.
✔️ Private, confidential marriage options available
For couples who value discretion.
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Holiday Marriage Scenarios We Commonly Handle
🎄 Couples visiting California for Christmas
Perfect for a destination elopement.
🎁 Couples whose families are together only once a year
Holiday weekends become a perfect time to celebrate.
🔔 Couples who need to be married before the New Year
Often for:
- Personal reasons
- Legal reasons
- Insurance or HR policy timelines
- Immigration timing
- End-of-year planning
✈️ Military couples on holiday leave
Convenient and fully legal for service members.
❤️ Couples who want a meaningful Christmas memory
A holiday marriage becomes a lifelong tradition.
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The Legal Timeline: How Fast the Marriage Becomes Official
After Get Married Today files your marriage license:
- The county registers your marriage
- You may order certified copies after registration
- Your marriage becomes legally recognized nationwide
- You may update your name, immigration status, or employer records
The filing is effective even during holiday closures — the marriage date on your license reflects your actual ceremony date (including December 25).
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How Holiday Courthouse Closures Affect Marriage (and Why They Don’t With Get Married Today)
County clerk offices usually close:
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- Surrounding weekends
- Government holiday schedule
Get Married Today solves this by issuing the license directly without courthouse involvement, allowing couples to marry any day, including federal holidays.
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- https://getmarried.today
- https://getmarried.today/marriage-license
- https://getmarried.today/same-day-wedding
- https://getmarried.today/officiant
- https://getmarried.today/private-marriage
- https://getmarried.today/how-it-works
- https://getmarried.today/elope
- https://getmarried.today/legal-wedding
- https://getmarried.today/winter-wedding
- https://getmarried.today/christmas-wedding
- https://getmarried.today/holiday-marriage
- https://yourlocalnotarypublic.com
- https://yourlocalnotarypublic.com/notary
- https://yourlocalnotarypublic.com/mobile-notary
- https://orangecountyapostille.org
- https://orangecountyapostille.org/apostille
- https://orangecountyapostille.org/notary
- https://orangecountyapostille.org/services
- https://orangecountyapostille.org/marriage-license
- https://getmarried.today/same-day-license
- https://getmarried.today/emergency-wedding
- https://getmarried.today/civil-ceremony
- https://getmarried.today/legal-marriage
- https://getmarried.today/elopement
- https://getmarried.today/small-wedding
- https://getmarried.today/wedding-ideas
- https://getmarried.today/christmas-elopement
- https://getmarried.today/holiday-elopement
- https://getmarried.today/romantic-winter-wedding
- https://getmarried.today/faq
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30 FAQs About Getting Legally Married on Christmas
(No pricing, no contact info)
1. Can I legally get married on Christmas Day?
Yes. Get Married Today can issue a marriage license and perform the ceremony on Christmas Day. The marriage is fully legal and recognized by the county once filed.
2. Are county clerk offices open on Christmas?
No. Most county clerk offices are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which is why couples use Get Married Today for same-day licensing and services.
3. Can Get Married Today issue a marriage license on Christmas?
Yes. Marriage licenses can be issued the same day, including during holidays, evenings, and weekends.
4. Are Christmas weddings legally binding?
Absolutely. The ceremony is legally binding, and the license is filed with the county like any other marriage.
5. Do we need witnesses for a Christmas wedding?
No. Private marriage licenses in California do not require witnesses.
6. How long does the Christmas marriage process take?
Most couples complete the license, ceremony, and filing in under an hour.
7. Do we need an appointment?
Get Married Today accommodates both scheduled and same-day services, even on holidays.
8. What identification is required?
A valid passport, driver license, state ID, or consular ID is acceptable.
9. Can holiday tourists get married in California?
Yes. You do not need residency to get married in California.
10. Can we personalize our Christmas wedding vows?
Yes. Couples may include Christmas themes or keep traditional vows.
11. Will our marriage license show December 25 as our legal date?
Yes. The legal date of marriage is the day of the ceremony.
12. How does filing work during holiday closures?
Get Married Today files the license for you, ensuring registration even if offices are closed.
13. Can we have a Christmas-themed ceremony?
Yes. Many couples incorporate holiday decor and traditions.
14. Is the license valid immediately?
Yes. California marriage licenses have no waiting period.
15. Can we get married at home on Christmas?
Yes. Officiants may perform the ceremony at your home or chosen location.
16. Can we elope on Christmas Eve?
Yes. Same-day marriage services are available December 24.
17. Can military couples marry during holiday leave?
Yes. Many choose Get Married Today for holiday elopements.
18. Do we need to visit the courthouse for anything?
No. The license and ceremony can be completed entirely outside the courthouse.
19. Can we choose a private marriage license?
Yes. Private licenses ensure confidentiality and require no witnesses.
20. Can we add wedding readings or prayers?
Yes. Ceremonies can be personalized.
21. Is a Christmas wedding legally recognized internationally?
Yes. Once filed, the marriage is recognized throughout the U.S. and abroad.
22. Can we get legally married before our big wedding later?
Yes. Many couples choose a legal Christmas marriage and celebrate their large wedding later.
23. Can Get Married Today handle our certified copies?
They can guide you through requesting copies once the county registers your marriage.
24. What if one partner doesn’t celebrate Christmas?
You may choose a neutral ceremony or personalize it as you wish.
25. Can we bring guests to our ceremony?
Yes. Guests are welcome depending on space and ceremony location.
26. Can we have an outdoor Christmas ceremony?
Yes. Many couples choose decorated locations or scenic spots.
27. Is the marriage confidential?
Yes, with a private license your information is not publicly searchable.
28. Can we get legally married on December 26?
Yes. Services are available throughout the holiday season.
29. Can we get married late at night on Christmas?
Yes. Evening and late-night ceremonies are available.
30. Can we marry quickly if our families are visiting?
Yes. Same-day holiday weddings are perfect for families already gathered.