Yes, You Can Get Married on a Holiday — Here’s How
Many couples are surprised to learn that getting married on a holiday is not only possible in California, but fully legal when handled correctly. Even when courthouses are closed for Christmas, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, or federal holidays, couples can still complete a same-day marriage in California using authorized professionals. This is why searches for holiday marriage California, get married on Christmas, and courthouse closed wedding continue to rise each year. Services like Get Married Today specialize in legally marrying couples during holidays, weekends, and after-hours without relying on courthouse operations.
California marriage law provides flexibility that most people are unaware of. While public marriage licenses are typically issued by county clerk offices during business hours, California authorizes licensed marriage commissioners, notaries, and ordained ministers to issue confidential marriage licenses outside courthouse settings. According to the California Department of Public Health, marriage licenses are valid immediately upon issuance, meaning there is no waiting period between receiving the license and completing the ceremony—even on a holiday.
Confidential marriage licenses are the legal foundation that makes holiday weddings possible. Unlike public licenses, confidential licenses do not require witnesses and are not publicly searchable. They may be issued anywhere in the state by authorized officials, which is why holiday elopements in Orange County are so common. Even when the Orange County Clerk-Recorder is closed, licensed professionals can issue licenses, perform ceremonies, and submit completed marriage records for official filing once offices reopen.
Orange County has become a preferred destination for holiday weddings because of its efficiency, flexibility, and experience with same-day marriage services. Couples searching for get married today Orange County, holiday elopement California, or same-day marriage near me often choose Orange County even if they plan to celebrate elsewhere. Cities such as Irvine, Anaheim, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, and Huntington Beach are popular locations for quiet, private holiday ceremonies.
Los Angeles is another common choice for couples seeking holiday weddings, particularly those wanting a city backdrop or hotel-based ceremony. However, Los Angeles County clerk offices often experience extended closures and appointment backlogs during holiday periods. For this reason, many couples legally marry through Orange County-authorized services and then hold their ceremony in Los Angeles. This approach avoids delays associated with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder while still resulting in a valid California marriage certificate.
To get married on a holiday, both parties must appear together with valid government-issued photo identification, such as a passport, driver’s license, or state ID. California does not require residency, blood tests, or medical exams, making holiday marriage accessible for out-of-state and international couples. Identity verification, document review, and compliance checks are often handled through professionals like Your Local Notary Public to prevent errors that could delay registration.
After the ceremony, the marriage license must be properly filed with the county recorder to make the marriage legally valid. This step is critical and frequently mishandled when couples attempt to self-manage holiday weddings. Professional same-day marriage providers handle filing directly with the county and track the registration of the record. Certified copies can then be ordered for legal purposes such as name changes, insurance enrollment, and government records through agencies like the Social Security Administration.
Holiday marriages are especially common for couples facing immigration or international timelines. A properly filed California marriage certificate is recognized by USCIS for marriage-based petitions. When a marriage certificate must be used abroad, many couples also require apostille authentication under the Hague Convention. Apostilles are issued at the state level through the California Secretary of State and are often coordinated with services such as Orange County Apostille.
Countries including Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, South Korea, the Philippines, and many EU nations require apostilled marriage certificates for visas, residency permits, and citizenship applications. Federal guidance on document authentication is also published by the U.S. Department of State, though most couples prefer to use local apostille professionals to avoid delays.
Beyond legal necessity, many couples intentionally choose to get married on a holiday for its symbolic value. Holidays represent new beginnings, family, and reflection, making them meaningful moments to start a marriage. This trend aligns with modern wedding data reported by platforms such as The Knot and WeddingWire, where elopements and micro-weddings continue to grow in popularity nationwide.
Holiday weddings are also less stressful in many cases. Vendor availability is higher, popular locations are quieter, and professional marriage services are accustomed to handling time-sensitive requests. Southern California remains a year-round destination for intimate weddings, as highlighted by Visit California and regional tourism boards. Couples often appreciate being able to complete the legal marriage during the holidays and celebrate later on their own terms.
Professional same-day marriage services follow best practices recommended by organizations such as the National Notary Association, ensuring that licenses, ceremonies, and filings meet California’s legal standards. This level of compliance is especially important during holidays, when courthouse access is limited and mistakes can cause long delays.
In summary, courthouse closures do not prevent couples from getting legally married on a holiday in California. With confidential marriage licenses and authorized professionals, same-day holiday marriage is fully legal, widely used, and legally recognized. Orange County and Los Angeles remain top destinations for holiday elopements because of their flexibility, experienced providers, and reliable post-ceremony filing processes.
If you are planning to get married on a holiday, working with professionals who understand California marriage law is essential. When handled correctly, a holiday wedding is not a workaround—it is a lawful, stress-free way to get married today, even when courthouses are closed.