Can I Get Married Without a Marriage License? Here’s What You Need to Know — And How Get Married Today Can Help
Marriage is a life-changing event. Whether you’re planning a small, intimate elopement, a quick legal ceremony for immigration purposes, or a destination wedding for international recognition, the question “Can I get married without a marriage license?” often arises.
The short answer? No, you cannot legally get married without a valid marriage license—but the good news is, Get Married Today can help you obtain one quickly, even under urgent circumstances.
We specialize in same-day marriage services in California and are known for our rapid issuance of marriage licenses, legal ceremonies, and apostille certification of marriage certificates for international use. We assist couples who need to get married fast, legally, and with international recognition under the Hague Apostille Convention.
📍 Have questions or need to get married fast? Give us a call or book your appointment today at GetMarried.Today !
Table of Contents
- Can You Get Married Without a Marriage License?
- How Get Married Today Makes the Process Easy
- What’s an Apostille, and Why Is It Important?
- Why International Couples Trust Get Married Today
- Step-by-Step: How We Help You Get Married Legally and Quickly
- Top Use Cases: Elopements, Immigration, Military Marriages
- How Apostille Certification Helps International Recognition
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact Us
Can You Get Married Without a Marriage License?
Let’s be crystal clear: A marriage license is legally required in all U.S. states, including California. No officiant—not even a religious leader or a friend—can perform a legally binding marriage ceremony without a valid marriage license issued by the state.
Attempting to get married without a marriage license results in a ceremony that is not legally recognized.
✅ In California, both parties must be present to apply for a marriage license.
✅ No waiting period—you can marry the same day your license is issued.
✅ No blood tests or medical exams are required.
📍 Learn more at California Department of Public Health
So while you can’t get legally married without a license, the good news is that you can get one easily and quickly with our help.
How Get Married Today Makes the Process Easy
At Get Married Today, we provide:
✅ Rapid marriage license issuance
✅ Same-day legal marriage ceremonies
✅ On-site or mobile officiant services
✅ Apostille certification for international recognition
We assist clients 24/7, including weekends and holidays—ideal for couples who are traveling, under a tight deadline, or facing immigration or military deployment timelines.
📍 We issue licenses and perform ceremonies in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and beyond.
No Time to Visit the Courthouse?
We are authorized to issue your marriage license directly, saving you the time and hassle of courthouse delays. No need to wait in line or schedule multiple appointments.
What’s an Apostille, and Why Is It Important?
An apostille is a certificate issued under the Hague Apostille Convention that authenticates the origin of a public document so that it can be legally used in another country.
When Do You Need an Apostille?
If you’re planning to:
- Register your marriage in another country
- Apply for spousal immigration visas
- Prove your marital status abroad
…then you’ll need your marriage certificate apostilled to be valid outside of the United States.
📍 More info at The Hague Conference on Private International Law
Why International Couples Trust Get Married Today
We serve couples visiting from:
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🌍 And many more
Our process is designed for speed, accuracy, and international compliance. We handle all aspects of your marriage from start to finish, including:
- Same-day issuance of California marriage licenses
- Legally recognized ceremonies
- Filing your marriage certificate with the state
- Apostille processing through our trusted partner, Orange County Apostille
Step-by-Step: How We Help You Get Married Legally and Quickly
Here’s how our full-service solution works:
Step 1: Schedule Your Appointment
📅 Visit GetMarried.Today or call us directly to set up your appointment. We’re available 24/7.
Step 2: Show Valid ID
🛂 Bring your valid government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license.
Step 3: Get Your License
📜 Our team will issue your California marriage license on-site—no need to visit the courthouse.
Step 4: Wedding Ceremony
💍 Our licensed officiant performs your legally binding marriage ceremony at your chosen location.
Step 5: Certificate Filing
📑 We file your signed license with the County Clerk and request certified copies on your behalf.
Step 6: Apostille Processing (If Needed)
🌍 We coordinate with Orange County Apostille to process and deliver your apostilled marriage certificate.
Top Use Cases: Elopements, Immigration, Military Marriages
1. Elopements
Romantic, spontaneous, and stress-free. Get married today on the beach, in a park, or in your backyard.
📍 Explore elopement ideas at Brides
2. Immigration Marriages
Urgent marriage for visa or green card processing? We can help.
📍 Learn about marriage-based green cards at USCIS
3. Military Marriages
Deploying soon? Need to register your spouse with DEERS or obtain spousal benefits?
📍 Check military marriage benefits at Military.com
How Apostille Certification Helps International Recognition
After your marriage is finalized, many countries require an apostille before they will recognize your U.S. marriage certificate. This process:
- Authenticates your marriage certificate
- Ensures compliance with international legal standards
- Facilitates immigration and name change processes abroad
📍 See apostille processing times and costs at Orange County Apostille
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get married without a license?
❌ No. You must have a valid marriage license to be legally married.
Can you issue the license and perform the ceremony on the same day?
✅ Yes! We handle everything during one appointment.
Is our marriage legal internationally?
✅ Yes, with an apostille from Orange County Apostille, your marriage will be legally recognized abroad.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate?
⏳ We submit your license the same day. You can request certified copies in a few days.
Do we need witnesses?
👀 Not with a Confidential Marriage License in California—no witnesses are required.
📍 For more legal FAQs, visit US Marriage Laws
Contact Us
📞 Need help or ready to book? Call us today or schedule online.
🌐 GetMarried.Today
💼 Orange County Apostille
💍 We make it easy to get legally married and internationally recognized—no courthouse, no waiting, no stress.
Conclusion
You can’t get legally married without a marriage license—but that doesn’t mean the process has to be slow or complicated. At Get Married Today, we provide a fast, legal, and internationally recognized marriage solution, complete with apostille certification through our trusted partners.
Whether you’re visiting from abroad or simply want to avoid courthouse delays, we have you covered.
📍 Book your appointment today at GetMarried.Today and let us help you tie the knot the right way—today.