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UncategorizedMarch 31, 2025March 31, 2025Camden AlchanatiNo Comments

Can I Get Married with an Expired Passport? What You Need to Know Before Saying “I Do”

Are you ready to get married but running into a passport issue? You’re not alone. One of the most common questions we get at Get Married Today is:

“Can I get married with an expired passport?”

If you’re a couple dealing with urgent documentation needs—whether it’s for immigration, military benefits, a pending deployment, or personal reasons—you may not have time to wait for a passport renewal. So what happens if one or both of you only have an expired passport?

This blog post will give you everything you need to know, including:
✅ Whether you can legally get married in California with an expired passport
✅ Alternative forms of identification
✅ What to do if your ID is expired or lost
✅ Special considerations for immigration and military couples
✅ How Get Married Today can help you get legally married quickly, even with ID issues

📍 Need to get married today? Book your urgent marriage appointment now at GetMarried.Today

🔑 Quick Answer: Can You Get Married with an Expired Passport?

In most cases, no—you cannot get legally married in California with an expired passport alone. California law requires valid, government-issued, and unexpired photo identification when applying for a marriage license. However, there may be solutions and workarounds, especially for non-U.S. citizens or those in urgent situations.

📋 California Marriage License Requirements

According to the California Department of Public Health, in order to get a marriage license in California, you must:

Appear in person
Present valid, government-issued photo ID (like a passport, driver’s license, or state ID)
Provide legal names and birthplaces
Be at least 18 years old (minors require court approval)

So, to be clear:
❌ An expired passport does not meet California’s legal ID requirements for obtaining a marriage license.

✅ You need a valid, unexpired ID—but keep reading to find out what alternatives may work if your passport is expired.

🆔 Acceptable Identification for a Marriage License in California

The county clerk’s office (like Orange County Clerk-Recorder) generally accepts these forms of valid ID:

U.S. Passport (unexpired)
Foreign Passport (unexpired)
State-issued Driver’s License or ID
Military ID Card
Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
Consular ID (in some counties)

In rare cases, two secondary IDs may be accepted with additional verification, but this varies by county and situation.

📍 Check local requirements at US Marriage Laws.

💡 What to Do if Your ID is Expired

1. Use Another Valid Government ID

Do you have any other unexpired identification? Try using:

A valid driver’s license
A military ID card
A Green Card or work permit (EAD)
A valid national or consular ID

✅ Pro Tip: For non-U.S. citizens, an unexpired foreign passport is generally accepted—even if you entered the U.S. on a visa waiver or B-2 tourist visa.

2. Renew Your Passport ASAP

If time allows, expedite your passport renewal through:

U.S. Passport Services
For non-U.S. citizens, your country’s local consulate or embassy

📍 Find your embassy at EmbassyPages.

3. Book With Get Married Today – We Can Help Fast

If your situation is urgent, don’t panic. At Get Married Today, we work with:
✅ Couples with expired or missing documents
✅ Foreign nationals visiting California
✅ Military couples with last-minute deployments
✅ Immigration-related emergency weddings

We’ll help you determine what’s legally acceptable, and we can even guide you through confidential marriage license options, which may offer more flexibility.

📍 Book now at GetMarried.Today

💍 What Is a Confidential Marriage License & Can It Help?

A Confidential Marriage License in California is a special option that:

Does not require witnesses
Is not part of public records
Can only be used for California residents (at least one person)

Unfortunately, you still need valid ID, but this route offers more privacy and may be helpful for immigration, military, or safety concerns.

📍 More info at VitalChek.

🛂 What If You’re Here on a Tourist Visa or Visiting from Another Country?

Great news: You can legally marry in California while visiting the U.S. on a tourist visa or ESTA, as long as you have:

✅ A valid passport from your home country
✅ A visa or legal entry into the U.S.

Many international couples from the UK, Australia, Germany, and Mexico use our service while on vacation!

📍 Want your marriage to be recognized back home? We offer Apostille processing through Orange County Apostille

🎖️ Special Considerations for Military Couples

Are you a service member needing a quick marriage before deployment or PCS orders?

At Get Married Today, we work with:
✅ Active-duty military and spouses
✅ Couples who need to qualify for BAH or TRICARE
✅ Those needing a legal marriage for command requirements

📍 Learn more about military marriage benefits at Military.com.

Don’t let an expired ID delay your plans. We’ll help verify your active status and find a solution that works.

💡 Helpful Tips for Getting Married Without a Valid Passport

If you don’t have valid ID, consider the following:

Visit your country’s consulate in California to get a same-day emergency passport.
Use another government-issued ID (even from your home country) if accepted by the issuing county.
Contact us directly to review your documentation—we’ll help find a solution.

📍 Find your consulate at Consulate Finder.

✅ Can You Get Married Today Without a Valid ID?

If both partners do not have any form of valid, unexpired ID, it is unlikely that you will be able to legally marry in California until you provide proper documentation.

But don’t lose hope. Many couples think their ID isn’t valid when it actually is. Let us help you figure it out.

📍 Get personalized help at GetMarried.Today

📝 After You’re Married – What Documents Will You Receive?

Once your ceremony is complete:
✅ Your officiant files your signed marriage license with the county.
✅ Within 1–2 weeks, your marriage is legally recorded.
✅ You can request certified copies of your marriage certificate, needed for:

Immigration
Insurance
Name change
Travel

📍 Order your official certificate at California Vital Records

🌍 Want Your Marriage Recognized in Another Country?

We offer apostille services through our trusted partner, Orange County Apostille, which makes your California marriage certificate valid in over 120 countries.

📍 Learn about apostille certification at HCCH Apostille Convention

📦 Summary: What To Do If Your Passport is Expired but You Want to Get Married

Situation	Can You Get Married?	Solution
One expired passport, other valid ID	✅	Use valid ID for license
Both expired passports, no valid ID	❌	Must obtain new ID
Visiting on tourist visa with valid passport	✅	Book with us
Military member with expired ID	⚠️	Contact us for options
Need apostille for overseas recognition	✅	We’ll handle it via Orange County Apostille

📍 Need to Get Married Today with ID Challenges? We’re Here to Help.

At Get Married Today, we understand life doesn’t always go as planned. Whether you’re dealing with:

An expired passport
Urgent immigration needs
Military deployment
Lost ID

We’re here to walk you through your options, verify what’s accepted, and make your marriage happen—fast and legally.

📍 Book your same-day marriage service now at GetMarried.Today

🔗 25 Helpful Resources You May Need

💬 Final Thoughts

Getting married should be about love—not paperwork or panic over expired IDs. Whether you have an expired passport, are facing urgent immigration deadlines, or just need a simple legal wedding, we’re here to help.

📍 Don’t wait. Book your legal marriage today at GetMarried.Today and let us help you say “I do”—fast, easy, and stress-free!