Please note these prices do not include the $85 license fee, the $17 charge for each official copy, or sales tax.

Yes, California allows couples to get married on the same day they obtain a marriage license. There is no mandatory waiting period in California, which means once your license is issued, you’re legally allowed to get married immediately. Services like Get Married Today specialize in issuing the marriage license and performing the wedding ceremony all in one visit. You can even choose your location—beach, park, home, or hotel—and they’ll meet you there. The license is legal across the U.S. and internationally (especially when apostilled for foreign recognition). California’s streamlined process makes it ideal for elopements, emergency weddings, or couples with tight schedules.

You can obtain a same-day marriage license from any California county clerk’s office, such as Los Angeles County, Orange County, or San Diego County. However, appointments are often limited and many clerks only operate during business hours. That’s why Get Married Today offers the unique ability to issue a California confidential marriage license without requiring a courthouse visit. Their notaries and officiants are licensed by the County and authorized to issue licenses 24/7. This flexibility is especially useful for military couples, international travelers, or couples marrying on holidays. You can be legally married anywhere in the state within hours.

If you go through the county clerk’s office, you usually need an appointment for both the license and the civil ceremony. However, with a private service like Get Married Today, you can skip the appointment and get legally married the same day at your preferred location. Their licensed notaries and officiants work around your schedule—even on weekends and holidays. Appointments can be made online or by phone and often take less than 15 minutes to set up. You only need to provide valid photo ID and meet the legal marriage requirements. This makes it fast and convenient for couples who need official documentation quickly.

To get married the same day in California, both partners must present valid government-issued photo identification. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID. You don’t need a birth certificate or social security card, although some counties may ask for additional information. If you’ve been married before, a divorce must be final, but you don’t need to show the divorce decree unless it was finalized in the last 90 days. Get Married Today helps you avoid surprises by reviewing your documents before your appointment. Their team ensures your marriage is legal and properly filed with the appropriate county.

Yes, California offers both public and confidential marriage licenses. A public license is filed with the county and can be viewed or requested by anyone, while a confidential license is only accessible to the couple. The confidential license does not require witnesses and can be issued directly by approved notaries such as those at Get Married Today. This option is perfect for couples who value privacy or need to marry discreetly due to personal, legal, or immigration reasons. According to the California Department of Public Health, both license types are equally valid. Only the confidential license allows for mobile issuance outside the courthouse.

Absolutely. In California, once you receive your marriage license, you’re eligible to have a legal ceremony immediately. Services like Get Married Today offer officiants who can conduct your ceremony at any location you choose—home, hotel, park, beach, or hospital. They also provide the license and handle all legal filing on your behalf. Some couples opt for a quick vow exchange, while others plan a more intimate setup with decorations and photography. According to The Knot, the ceremony can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like, so long as the officiant signs the license and submits it for registration.

Yes, international couples can legally marry in California on the same day, as long as both individuals provide valid identification (such as a passport). California does not require U.S. residency or a social security number to get a marriage license. After the wedding, you can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate and, if needed, get an apostille so it’s recognized in your home country. Get Married Today assists international couples with both the license and apostille process. This makes California an excellent destination for elopements and destination weddings. Always check with your country’s consulate for documentation requirements before returning home.

Yes, a marriage performed legally in California is recognized across all U.S. states and most countries worldwide. Once your license is signed and submitted to the county, the County Registrar will issue a certified copy of the marriage certificate, which serves as your official proof of marriage. For international recognition, some countries require an apostille or legalization process. Get Married Today can help ensure your documents meet both U.S. and foreign requirements. This is especially important for immigration, dual citizenship, and international relocation. California marriages are considered legally binding as long as all requirements are met.

Yes, but not through most county clerk offices, which are closed on weekends and holidays. However, private services like Get Married Today offer 24/7 mobile weddings—including evenings, holidays, and weekends. This is perfect for spontaneous elopements, military leave schedules, or hospital bedside weddings. Their team is licensed to issue the marriage license and perform the ceremony on the spot. This flexibility ensures you can marry exactly when you need to—no courthouse delays, no scheduling stress. It’s a trusted solution for couples needing urgent legal marriage documentation.

Top Resources For Get Married Today: Same Day Marriages in California

 

  1. https://www.cdph.ca.gov – California Department of Public Health: Marriage Certificates

  2. https://www.ca.gov – California state portal: How to Get Married

  3. https://www.lavote.gov – LA County Marriage Services

  4. https://ocrecorder.com – Orange County Clerk-Recorder Marriage Services

  5. https://www.rivcocob.org – Riverside County Clerk: Marriage Licenses

  6. https://www.sbcounty.gov – San Bernardino Marriage Licenses

  7. https://www.sandiegocounty.gov – San Diego County Marriage Services

  8. https://sccgov.org – Santa Clara County Marriage Info

  9. https://www.marincounty.org – Marin County Clerk Recorder Marriage Info

  10. https://www.co.shasta.ca.us – Shasta County Marriage Services

  11. https://www.nolo.com – Nolo Legal: California Marriage FAQ

  12. https://www.findlaw.com – FindLaw: California Marriage Laws

  13. https://www.weddingwire.com – WeddingWire: Marriage License Guide

  14. https://www.theknot.com – The Knot: How to Get a California Marriage License

  15. https://www.lawhelpca.org – Law Help CA: Marriage Legal Info

  16. https://www.courts.ca.gov – California Courts: Marriage Laws and Requirements

  17. https://www.cacities.org – League of California Cities (can link to city marriage services)

  18. https://www.california.com – California.com: Marriage License Guide

  19. https://www.familylawselfhelpcenter.org – Family Law Self-Help

  20. https://www.justice.gov – DOJ: Marriage Fraud Prevention (relevant to legal marriages)

  21. https://www.visitcalifornia.com – Visit California: Wedding Planning

  22. https://www.discoverlosangeles.com – LA Tourism Wedding Venues

  23. https://www.visitnewportbeach.com – Newport Beach Weddings

  24. https://www.visitlagunabeach.com – Laguna Beach Wedding Planning

  25. https://www.pasadenastarnews.com – Pasadena News: Local Events and Weddings

  26. https://www.visitsantabarbara.com – Santa Barbara Weddings

  27. https://www.visitsanmarcos.com – San Marcos Wedding Locations

  28. https://www.visitanaheim.org – Anaheim Wedding Venues

  29. https://www.visitcarlsbad.com – Carlsbad Wedding Locations

  30. https://www.lagunabeachcity.net – City of Laguna Beach: Park Permits (for weddings)

  31. https://www.offbeatbride.com – Offbeat Bride: Eloping in California

  32. https://www.zola.com – Zola: How to Marry in California

  33. https://www.weddingbee.com – Wedding Bee Forum

  34. https://www.brides.com – Brides.com Marriage License Guide

  35. https://www.herecomestheguide.com – Wedding Venues in CA

  36. https://www.elopementpackages.com – Elopement Packages in California

  37. https://www.wedaways.com – California Wedding Planning

  38. https://www.elopementcalifornia.com – California Elopement Planners

  39. https://www.wedding-spot.com – Find Wedding Venues

  40. https://www.tietheknotinor.com – Eloping in California

  41. https://www.nationalnotary.org – National Notary Association

  42. https://www.californianotaryacademy.com – CA Notary Training & Info

  43. https://www.americanbar.org – ABA: Marriage Law Basics

  44. https://www.uscis.gov – USCIS: Marriage for Immigration

  45. https://www.usa.gov/marriage – USA.gov: Marriage Resources

  46. https://www.calbar.ca.gov – State Bar of California: Legal Services

  47. https://www.yelp.com – Yelp: Same-Day Marriages in CA

  48. https://www.thumbtack.com – Thumbtack: Same-Day Wedding Officiants

  49. https://www.weddingwire.com – WeddingWire Officiants California

  50. https://www.google.com/travel – Google Travel: Plan Your California Wedding