Can You Get Married Without Waiting?
For many couples, the idea of waiting weeks or even months to get married after deciding to tie the knot feels like a frustrating delay. Whether it’s because of love, urgency, immigration deadlines, military deployments, travel schedules, or just not wanting to wait, more and more couples ask the question: Can you get married without waiting?
Yes — you absolutely can. And in California, with Get Married Today, you can get legally married the same day you apply for your marriage license, without ever having to step foot in a courthouse.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting married without delay — including how to skip the wait, where to go, what to bring, and how our team can make it happen for you today.
1. Why Couples Want to Skip the Wait
Waiting can be stressful. Life doesn’t always move slowly — and when love, life, or legal needs demand a quick marriage, waiting weeks for a court appointment or ceremony just isn’t realistic.
Here are common reasons couples want to get married without waiting:
- Military deployment or benefit eligibility (such as BAH)
- Immigration deadlines or visa requirements
- A sick or elderly family member who wants to witness the union
- Birth of a child coming soon
- Travel or relocation plans
- A spontaneous elopement
- Simply not wanting to deal with courthouse bureaucracy
No matter your reason, you’re not alone. Thousands of couples across California — and the world — are looking for faster, more private alternatives to waiting in long lines at government offices.
2. Is There a Waiting Period for Marriage in California?
Unlike many other states, California does NOT require a waiting period between applying for your marriage license and getting married. That means:
- You can apply for a license today.
- You can have your ceremony today.
- You can be legally married today.
According to the California Department of Public Health, once your marriage license is issued, it is valid immediately — and stays valid for 90 days. So, if you want to get married the same day, there’s nothing stopping you legally.
3. What States Allow You to Get Married Without Waiting?
California is one of the few states that allows same-day marriages with no mandatory waiting period. Other states like Nevada, Colorado, and Texas also have fast-track processes, but California stands out because of the Confidential Marriage License option — which doesn’t require any witnesses and can be filed directly by your officiant.
So if you’re in the U.S. or traveling from abroad, California is one of the most marriage-friendly places to legally tie the knot today.
4. How Get Married Today Makes It Happen (Even on Weekends & Holidays)
At Get Married Today, we specialize in same-day legal marriages — including issuing your marriage license and performing the ceremony all in one visit.
Here’s how it works:
- We issue your official California marriage license on the spot.
- We perform a legally binding civil marriage ceremony — private, professional, and personalized.
- We file your documents with the County Recorder’s Office.
- We can even help order certified copies of your marriage certificate.
- Need it internationally recognized? We also offer apostille services for countries under the Hague Apostille Convention.
No waiting. No court appointment. No public ceremony unless you want one. Just you, your partner, and your new future — starting today.
5. What Do You Need to Bring for a Same-Day Marriage?
To get legally married without waiting, you’ll need just a few key items:
- Valid government-issued photo IDs (e.g., passport, driver’s license)
- If previously married, proof of divorce or annulment
- Full legal names and information for the marriage license
- Both parties must be physically present to sign the license (unless using a proxy marriage process — which we can also assist with!)
There’s no need for a witness if you choose the Confidential Marriage License, which makes the process faster and more private.
You can book an appointment now or even request a mobile service where we come to you — at home, hospital, beach, or wherever your special moment happens.
6. Can You Get Married Without a Ceremony?
Yes, in California, if you want to skip the frills and focus on the legality, you can have a minimal civil ceremony — just a few spoken words and signatures.
Our officiants at Get Married Today can conduct:
- Quick civil marriages (5–10 minutes)
- Traditional vow ceremonies
- Fully customized elopements
But even if you don’t want a big ceremony, California law requires a legal officiation by someone authorized to perform marriages. You can’t just sign the license without an officiant — but we’ll provide one for you, same day.
7. Can You Get Married Without Going to the Courthouse?
Yes — absolutely.
With our services, there’s no need to step into a government office. You skip the county clerk, skip the lines, and skip the months-long wait for an appointment.
Instead, we issue the license directly from our office (or on-location), perform your legal ceremony, and file all paperwork on your behalf.
Couples come to us from:
- Out of state – especially Texas, Arizona, Florida, and New York
- Other countries – including Mexico, Canada, the UK, India, and Australia
- Locally in California – from San Diego to San Francisco and everywhere in between
We are authorized to issue valid California marriage licenses under state law — just like the County Clerk.
8. What Happens After You Get Married?
Once your ceremony is complete, we:
- File your license with the appropriate County Recorder
- Send you a Proof of Marriage
- Assist you in ordering certified copies (for DMV, passport, Social Security, immigration, etc.)
- Provide apostille service if you need your marriage recognized abroad
You’ll typically receive your certified marriage certificate within 5–8 weeks from the county. We handle the paperwork, filing, and follow-up — you just focus on the celebration.
9. What About Immigration, Military, or International Marriages?
If you’re getting married quickly because of immigration timelines, visa processing, or military deployment, our team is equipped to help.
For Immigration Purposes:
- We ensure your license and certificate are valid and traceable
- We offer official documentation and apostille service
- We can perform weddings even during USCIS review windows
For Military Members:
- We provide 24/7 service, including on bases or near Camp Pendleton
- We offer military discounts
- We expedite marriage documentation to help couples qualify for housing allowances (BAH), spousal benefits, and base registration
For International Couples:
- We provide apostilles and certified copies for use in your home country
- We can perform the entire process while you’re visiting California — no residency required
Get Married Today has helped couples from over 50 countries get legally married in California on the same day.
10. Why Choose Get Married Today?
You’re not just skipping the wait — you’re getting white-glove service that removes every obstacle from your path.
What We Offer:
✅ Same-day legal marriage licenses
✅ Legally recognized officiants
✅ Mobile weddings — we come to you
✅ 24/7 service, weekends and holidays included
✅ No courthouse visit required
✅ Multilingual team (Spanish available)
✅ Apostille services for international documentation
✅ Confidential license option for total privacy
✅ Assistance with certified copies and follow-up
Whether it’s a romantic elopement or a legal need, we handle every step efficiently and professionally.
11. Real Scenarios: How Couples Got Married Without Waiting
Here are just a few stories from real couples who used our same-day services:
- Immigration Case: A couple from India visiting the U.S. on a tourist visa needed a legal marriage to begin their green card process. We issued their license and married them the same day, then apostilled the certificate for USCIS.
- Military Deployment: A Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton was deploying in 48 hours. We met the couple at a beach location, issued the license on-site, and filed the paperwork within hours.
- Terminal Illness: A couple’s elderly mother was in hospice. We performed a bedside wedding within two hours of their call, giving the family peace and joy.
When time is of the essence, Get Married Today is ready to respond.
12. How to Get Started
Getting married today is simple. Just follow these steps:
- Visit getmarried.today and choose a time and location
- Provide your info through our secure form
- Choose your marriage license type (public or confidential)
- Pick your ceremony style – simple or customized
- Show up with your ID – and walk away married!
Have questions? Call or text us any time. We’re open 7 days a week, including evenings and holidays.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Wait — You Just Need the Right Team
In California, marriage doesn’t have to come with delays, frustration, or red tape. You can skip the waiting game, skip the courthouse, and start your married life today.
At Get Married Today, we believe love should never have to wait — and we make sure it doesn’t.
📞 Ready to say “I do” without waiting?
Visit https://getmarried.today to book your appointment now or call us at any time to get legally married today.