Thanksgiving Elopement in California — Legal, Cozy & Same Day
Turn Thanksgiving into the day you officially become family. With Get Married Today, you can obtain a valid California marriage license, enjoy a heartfelt civil ceremony, and have everything filed with the county on the same day—without relying on courthouse hours or government schedules.
Explore holiday marriage options in our Get Legally Married on Holidays guide, then customize this Thanksgiving elopement to fit your vision.
Why Thanksgiving Is the Perfect Time to Elope
Thanksgiving is already about gratitude, family, and shared meals. Making it your legal wedding date combines all of that warmth with a stress-free, efficient path to marriage. Instead of worrying about courthouse lines, you get to focus on the people at your table.
Family Is Already in Town
Thanksgiving is one of the rare times when relatives travel from near and far. A Thanksgiving elopement lets you include those closest to you without planning a massive traditional wedding. Many couples choose a simple legal ceremony and then transition straight into Thanksgiving dinner as their reception.
For inspiration on keeping things intimate yet meaningful, explore Eloping in California Has Never Been Easier — Here’s How It Works Today .
Courthouse Closed, But You’re Not Stuck
Government offices typically close on Thanksgiving Day and may offer limited hours around the holiday. Instead of waiting for appointments or delaying your plans, Get Married Today provides a complete private alternative to the courthouse— including the marriage license and ceremony in one place.
See how holiday closures are handled in How to Get Married on a Holiday, Weekend, or After Business Hours in California .
A Symbolic Day of Gratitude & New Beginnings
Thanksgiving marks a pause in the year to reflect on gratitude and the future you are building. Making it your legal wedding date creates an annual reminder that blends tradition, family, and your commitment to one another.
If you love meaningful dates, you may also enjoy Holiday Elopements in Orange County — Legal Weddings on Your Favorite Day .
How a Thanksgiving Elopement With Get Married Today Works
The process mirrors the standard Get Married Today marriage requirements , with extra flexibility for holiday timing and family travel schedules.
Thanksgiving Week Timeline
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Step 1Choose Your Thanksgiving Date & Time
Decide whether you want to be married on Thanksgiving Day itself, the day before, or the weekend surrounding it. Many couples coordinate their legal elopement with planned family dinners or travel.
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Step 2Confirm Your Eligibility
Review the confidential marriage license information to ensure you meet age and identification requirements. California does not require residency, so out-of-state and international couples can also elope on Thanksgiving.
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Step 3Marriage License Issuance
On the day of your elopement, an authorized Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages completes your marriage license application with you, verifies your IDs, and issues your license privately—no courthouse visit needed.
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Step 4Thanksgiving Ceremony
Immediately after your license is issued—or at your reserved time—your officiant performs a civil ceremony. You can keep it short and sweet or incorporate vows, readings, and Thanksgiving-themed language.
After the “I Do” — Filing & Beyond
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Step 5Legal Signatures & Documentation
The officiant signs your license, and required portions are completed in compliance with California law. For private licenses, witnesses are not required, keeping the elopement intimate and confidential.
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Step 6Filing With the County
Get Married Today submits your completed license to the appropriate county clerk for registration. You do not need to line up at a government office after your Thanksgiving celebration.
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Step 7Certified Copies & Apostille (If Needed)
Once recorded, you may request certified copies for name changes, benefits, or immigration. For international use, partners such as Orange County Apostille can handle your marriage certificate apostille .
Already thinking beyond Thanksgiving?
Many couples choose Thanksgiving for the legal ceremony and then plan a larger celebration later. Learn more about this approach in Can I Elope and Have a Wedding Later? Yes .
Thanksgiving Elopement Locations & Styles
Whether you picture a quiet in-office ceremony before dinner, a beach elopement at sunset, or a cozy living-room exchange in front of the fireplace, Get Married Today offers flexible Thanksgiving options throughout Southern California.
Chapel & In-Office Thanksgiving Ceremonies
Many couples prefer a simple, elegant indoor setting for their Thanksgiving elopement. You can keep the focus on the legal ceremony and then head straight to your family celebration afterward.
- ✔Ideal for couples wanting a quiet, focused “I Do” moment.
- ✔Streamlined process from check-in to signed license.
- ✔Pairs beautifully with small holiday photo sessions.
At-Home & Airbnb Thanksgiving Elopements
Hosting Thanksgiving at home or in a rental? Have your legal ceremony right where everyone is gathered. An authorized officiant can come to you, perform the ceremony, and complete the documentation on-site.
- ✔Perfect if you’re cooking, entertaining, or hosting overnight guests.
- ✔Children, pets, and extended family can join in easily.
- ✔Available through Same Day Marriage At Your Location .
Destination-Style Holiday Elopement
Thanksgiving often coincides with fall travel. If you’re visiting Southern California for the holiday, you can turn your trip into a destination elopement without ever stepping into a courthouse.
- ✔Flexible scheduling around flights and sightseeing.
- ✔Great for couples visiting from other states or countries.
- ✔See Traveling for the Holidays? Get Married While Visiting California .
Who a Thanksgiving Elopement Is Perfect For
Holiday weekends often collide with real-life timelines—benefits enrollment dates, immigration deadlines, military leave, and more. A Thanksgiving elopement can be both romantic and practical.
Couples on a Tight Timeline
If you’re facing employment benefits deadlines, mortgage approvals, or upcoming travel, the Thanksgiving holiday might be the only time you are both free. A same-day legal marriage lets you meet those time-sensitive requirements without waiting for the next business day.
Learn how quick legal marriages can support your plans in Eloping for Benefits: Why Couples Choose Quick Legal Marriages .
International & Immigration-Focused Couples
Many couples use Thanksgiving travel to complete their legal marriage needed for visa applications or international moves. Once the marriage is recorded, you can request certified copies and, if required, obtain an apostille for use abroad.
For a deeper dive into fast legal marriages for immigration, see USCIS Marriage Proof: How to Get Legally Married Today Without Delays .
Out-of-State Visitors & Holiday Vacationers
California’s marriage laws welcome non-residents, which means you can fly in, enjoy Thanksgiving in Southern California, and leave legally married— all without establishing residency or navigating long-term local logistics.
Discover how easy it is in Get Married in Orange County Today — Even on Holidays .
Couples Who Prefer Intimacy Over a Big Wedding
Some couples simply don’t want a large, traditional wedding. A Thanksgiving elopement keeps the guest list small, the schedule relaxed, and the cost of planning low—while still ensuring every legal requirement is fully handled.
Read more about modern elopement trends in Modern Elopements in California: Simple, Fast, and Completely Legal .
What You Need to Bring for a Thanksgiving Elopement
The legal requirements for a Thanksgiving elopement are the same as any other day —the difference is that Get Married Today can process everything even when other offices are closed.
Valid Identification
Each partner will need valid, government-issued photo identification, such as a driver license, state ID, passport, or consular ID. Make sure names and dates of birth match your current legal information.
Review the full checklist in the Complete Checklist for Marriage License Application .
Basic Personal Details
You’ll be asked for your full legal names, dates of birth, and previous marital history (if applicable). If either partner has been married before, you’ll need the date that the prior marriage ended (by divorce, annulment, or death).
For a deeper overview of how licenses work year-round, explore How to Get a California Marriage License Quickly Without Long Wait Times .
Confidential vs. Public License
Many Thanksgiving elopement couples choose a confidential license to keep their record out of public indexes and to avoid needing witnesses. Others prefer a public license if they want their marriage to appear in public records for genealogy or tradition.
Learn about the differences in Confidential Marriage License in California .
Support Beyond the Wedding Day
Need help notarizing documents, affidavits, or translations after you’re married? Trusted partners such as Your Local Notary Public and last-minute marriage license support resources can help you notarize related paperwork before or after your Thanksgiving elopement.
Thanksgiving Elopement FAQ
These answers focus specifically on Thanksgiving and holiday-week scenarios. For a broader library of questions, visit the main Frequently Asked Questions page on Get Married Today.
Can we legally marry on Thanksgiving Day itself?
Yes. As long as you meet California’s marriage requirements and an authorized officiant issues your license and performs the ceremony, your Thanksgiving marriage is fully legal. The legal date of marriage is the day of your ceremony, even if county offices are closed when it takes place.
Do we need to visit the county clerk at any point?
Not when you work through Get Married Today. Your marriage license is issued directly by authorized personnel and the completed license is filed with the county on your behalf. You can enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend without ever standing in a courthouse line.
What if our family only has a short window in town?
Thanksgiving often compresses family time into just a few days. The same-day structure of Get Married Today lets you schedule a license, ceremony, and photo time in one appointment, so out-of-town guests can witness your union without extending their trip.
Can we keep our Thanksgiving elopement private?
If you choose a confidential marriage license, your record will not appear in public indexes and witnesses are not required at the ceremony. This is ideal for couples who want a quiet, personal Thanksgiving “I Do” and plan to share the news later on their own terms.
Is a Thanksgiving elopement good for immigration or benefits timelines?
Yes. Many couples use Thanksgiving to finalize their legal marriage so they can meet immigration filing deadlines or employer benefits windows before the end of the year. Once your license is recorded, you can request certified copies for USCIS, HR, or other agencies.
Can we combine a Thanksgiving elopement with a future big wedding?
Absolutely. A popular option is to handle the legal side with a Thanksgiving elopement and then host a larger celebration months later. Your anniversary date remains your Thanksgiving marriage date, while your larger wedding becomes a separate event or vow renewal.
What if we’re only in California for the holiday?
California does not require you to live in the state to get married here. Many couples travel in for the holiday, complete their legal marriage with Get Married Today, and then return home as newlyweds—with their marriage fully recognized throughout the U.S.
Can our Thanksgiving ceremony be customized?
Yes. Even though the ceremony is civil and legal, you can personalize your vows, add readings, or incorporate Thanksgiving themes such as gratitude, harvest, or family blessings. You can keep it minimal or add personal touches— as long as the legally required language is included.
What if we decide to elope last-minute during Thanksgiving week?
Last-minute elopements are common during holidays. As long as time slots are available, Get Married Today can still issue your license, perform the ceremony, and file your paperwork in a single visit. It’s designed specifically for couples who don’t want to wait for the next business day.
Where can we read more about holiday and weekend weddings?
For more ideas and examples, explore Holiday Wedding Services in Orange County , Weekend Weddings Without the Wait , and The Easiest Way to Get Married in Orange County Without a Courthouse .