Can I Get Married by Just Signing a Paper? Understanding Quick Legal Marriages with Get Married Today
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming—and for some couples, it’s not even necessary. Whether you’re facing immigration deadlines, military deployment, or simply need to make your marriage legal fast, you might be asking:
Can I get married by just signing a paper?
✅ The answer is YES—in many cases, you can get legally married through a streamlined process that involves just a few signatures, a licensed officiant, and a legally issued marriage license.
At Get Married Today, we specialize in helping couples who need to get legally married fast, offering same-day marriage services, on-site license issuance, and apostille certification for international use.
📍 Need a legal marriage without the big wedding? Book your appointment at GetMarried.Today and get married today—fast, easy, and legally recognized worldwide.
Understanding “Paper-Only” or “Sign-and-Go” Marriages
A paper-only marriage—sometimes referred to as a sign-and-go marriage, license-only marriage, or courthouse-style legal marriage—is exactly what it sounds like:
🖊️ You meet with a licensed officiant, complete your marriage license, sign the necessary paperwork, and get legally married without a formal ceremony.
This process is 100% legal and recognized by the State of California, USCIS (for immigration), and countries abroad (with apostille).
📍 Learn more about California marriage laws at California Department of Public Health.
Who Is a Paper-Only Marriage Ideal For?
A legal, simple marriage by signing papers is ideal for couples who:
- Are in a long-distance relationship and need to start an immigration case
- Need to submit a marriage certificate to USCIS or a consulate
- Are in the military and facing imminent deployment
- Want a legal marriage but plan to host a ceremony later
- Require an apostilled marriage certificate for international recognition
- Want to avoid the stress and cost of wedding planning
📍 Need apostille certification? We partner with Orange County Apostille to process your marriage certificate for international use.
What’s Required for a Legal Marriage by Signing a Paper?
Here’s what you’ll need:
✅ 1. Valid Government-Issued ID
- Passport, driver’s license, or state ID
- For international couples: valid passport with visa or entry record
✅ 2. A California Marriage License
- Get Married Today can issue your marriage license on-site (no trip to the courthouse)
✅ 3. A Licensed Officiant
- Our team includes licensed notaries and officiants authorized to conduct legal marriages
✅ 4. Signatures and Witness (optional)
- Public Marriage License: Requires one witness
- Confidential Marriage License: No witness required
📍 Explore the differences at US Marriage Laws.
What Happens After the Paper Marriage Is Completed?
After you and your partner sign the license:
- ✅ Your officiant signs and files your marriage license with the county
- ✅ Your marriage is officially recorded
- ✅ You may request a certified copy of the marriage certificate
📍 Order a certified copy at VitalChek.
If your marriage certificate needs to be used in another country, we can expedite the apostille process through our trusted partner at Orange County Apostille.
Can a Paper-Only Marriage Be Used for Immigration?
Absolutely. A signed and certified marriage certificate is the essential document for:
- I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485)
- Fiancé Visa (K-1 to Green Card)
- Marriage-based green cards
- Consular processing
📍 Learn more about marriage-based immigration at USCIS.
Can I Get Married Today Without a Ceremony?
YES. At Get Married Today, we offer:
✅ Sign-and-Go Appointments – Just paperwork, fast and legal
✅ Confidential Marriages – No witness or public records
✅ Same-Day Marriages – Appointments available 7 days a week
✅ Apostille Processing – For international recognition
We serve couples across California, including:
- Los Angeles
- Orange County
- San Diego
- Riverside
- San Bernardino
📍 Find wedding service areas and availability at GetMarried.Today.
What Makes Our Services Different?
Other options like the courthouse may require:
❌ Waiting weeks for an appointment
❌ Filing marriage paperwork separately
❌ Limited availability
❌ No support for international document certification
With Get Married Today, you get:
✅ Same-day appointment
✅ Marriage license + ceremony in one visit
✅ Traveling officiants to your location
✅ Apostille service via Orange County Apostille
✅ Multilingual support and inclusive services
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓ Can I get legally married without a ceremony?
Yes. You can have a legal marriage with just paperwork and a licensed officiant. No vows or guests required.
❓ Will this marriage be recognized by USCIS or my country?
Yes. California marriage certificates are internationally recognized. An apostille ensures acceptance abroad.
📍 Apostille guidance available at The Hague Apostille Convention.
❓ How fast can I get married?
With Get Married Today, you can get married the same day you call. Appointments are available 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
Top Reasons to Choose a Paper-Only Marriage with Get Married Today
✅ Fast
Get married in hours, not weeks.
✅ Affordable
No venue, catering, or big bills—just a flat fee.
✅ Private
Perfect for couples who want a no-drama, no-guest experience.
✅ Legal
Fully compliant with California marriage laws, recognized internationally.
✅ Apostille-Friendly
International couples receive apostille-certified documents.
📍 Book your paper-only marriage at GetMarried.Today.
Testimonial Highlights
💬 “We needed to file our immigration paperwork fast. Get Married Today helped us marry and get our certificate apostilled in under 48 hours!” — Sarah & Ahmed, UK
💬 “As a Marine deploying in 2 weeks, I needed a fast legal marriage. They made it happen the same day.” — John & Maria, Camp Pendleton
💬 “We didn’t want a big wedding, just to make it official. Signed the papers, done in 20 minutes!” — Alex & Kai, Los Angeles
Where We Serve
📍 We provide same-day paper-only marriage services throughout:
- Los Angeles
- Irvine
- Anaheim
- Santa Ana
- Long Beach
- Riverside
- San Diego
- Palm Springs
- Temecula
- And beyond!
Need us to come to you? Book a traveling officiant at GetMarried.Today.
What’s Included in Your Paper-Only Marriage Appointment
✔ Marriage license issuance
✔ Legal marriage ceremony
✔ Filing of marriage certificate
✔ Apostille support
✔ Optional same-day delivery of documents
✔ Multilingual officiants available
✔ No witness required (with Confidential License)
The Importance of Apostille for International Marriages
If you plan to:
- Move abroad
- Apply for dual citizenship
- File a spousal visa in another country
You’ll need an apostille-certified marriage certificate.
📍 We partner with Orange County Apostille to simplify the process. They handle:
✅ Same-day apostille
✅ International courier options
✅ Translation services
📍 Learn more about international marriage certificate legalization at Travel.State.Gov
Final Thoughts: Yes, You Can Get Married by Signing a Paper
Love doesn’t need to be complicated. If you’re wondering whether you can get married by just signing a piece of paper, the answer is yes—and Get Married Today is here to help.
We provide:
✅ Same-day marriage license issuance
✅ Legal marriage ceremony with licensed officiants
✅ Filing and apostille support for international use
✅ Traveling services across Southern California
✅ Fast, legal, low-cost solutions for every couple
Ready to Get Legally Married Today?
📞 Call us now or book online to schedule your paper-only wedding appointment.
📍 Visit us at GetMarried.Today
📍 Need apostille? Visit our partners at Orange County Apostille
💍 Simple. Legal. Fast. Let’s make it official—today.
Disclaimer: This blog post is intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney or immigration professional for specific legal guidance regarding your case.