Can I Waive the Waiting Period for a Marriage License?

How to Get Married Faster With or Without a Waiver — and Why Get Married Today Is the Fastest Way

Introduction: Can Love Wait?

So, you’ve found your person, and you’re ready to say “I do.” The last thing you want to hear is that you must wait three days, five days, or even a week to get legally married. But that’s exactly what some states require after you apply for a marriage license — a mandatory waiting period before you’re legally allowed to marry. The big question is: Can you waive this waiting period?

In many states, the answer is yes — but only under certain circumstances. And even if you qualify for a waiver, it often involves appearing before a judge, presenting documentation, and dealing with unpredictable delays.

Luckily, there’s another option: Skip the wait entirely by getting married in a state like California, where no waiting period exists — and where Get Married Today can issue your license and conduct your ceremony in one visit, any day of the week.

This guide covers:

• What a marriage license waiting period is
• Which states require it and which allow waivers
• How to legally waive it
• Fastest options for urgent marriages
• Why Get Married Today is the #1 same-day solution

👉 Book your appointment now to get legally married today — no waiting required.

1. What Is a Marriage License Waiting Period?

A marriage license waiting period is the amount of time you’re legally required to wait between getting your license and holding your ceremony. In states with waiting periods, your marriage license is not immediately valid.

For example:

• In Texas, you must wait 72 hours
• In Iowa, the wait is 3 days
• In Florida, it’s 3 days unless you complete a premarital course

This legal delay was designed to discourage impulsive decisions, give couples time to reconsider, and allow the court or county clerk time to process paperwork. But for many couples — especially those with urgent timelines — it becomes a frustrating obstacle.

🔗 What’s the difference between a marriage license and certificate?

2. States With a Waiting Period

Here are just a few examples of states that require a waiting period before you can get married:

🔗 CDC Marriage Law Chart

If you’re in one of these states, your options are:

• Wait the required time
• Apply for a waiver
• Or travel to a no-wait state like California or Nevada

3. States With No Waiting Period (Get Married Instantly)

Some states allow you to get married the same day you apply for your marriage license:

• California
• Nevada
• Alabama
• Colorado
• Idaho
• North Carolina
• Montana
• Georgia
• Utah

In California, you can even get a confidential marriage license and skip the courthouse entirely when you book with Get Married Today.

📝 Learn how confidential marriage licenses work

4. Can You Waive the Waiting Period?

Yes — but here’s what it usually requires:

To waive the waiting period in most states, you need to:

• Appear before a judge
• File a petition for waiver
• Show evidence of hardship or urgency
• Pay additional court or waiver fees
• Sometimes involve legal counsel

Valid reasons that might qualify for a waiver:

• Military deployment or reassignment
• Medical emergencies
• Travel/visa deadlines
• Immigration petition timing
• Religious or cultural requirements

But this process can take days or weeks, and there’s no guarantee a judge will approve your request.

📌 Example: In Texas, you must petition the court to waive the 72-hour wait. It’s not automatic — even for military members.

✅ Skip this step by getting married instantly in California

5. Urgent Situations Where Couples Can’t Wait

We help hundreds of couples each year who can’t afford to wait due to:

• Military Leave Windows
  Example: A service member with only 48 hours home on leave needs to marry now for benefits or housing.
• Immigration Deadlines
  Example: A fiancé visa or green card petition requires immediate proof of marriage.
• Terminal Illness or Hospitalization
  Example: One partner is in critical condition, and the couple wants legal protection and next-of-kin rights.
• Travel Windows
  Example: International couples visiting the U.S. want to marry legally before returning home.
• Personal Emergencies
  Example: Couples who suddenly must relocate, care for a dependent, or deal with custody/legal deadlines.

👉 Same-day marriage for urgent needs — see how it works

6. The California Advantage: No Waiting, No Hassle

California is one of the most marriage-friendly states:

• ✅ No waiting period
• ✅ No blood test
• ✅ Confidential marriage license available
• ✅ Same-day marriage appointments allowed
• ✅ No witness required for confidential license

And with Get Married Today, we go a step further by:

• Issuing your license ourselves (no courthouse trip)
• Performing your ceremony immediately
• Filing your documents the same day
• Offering certified copies and apostille services for international use

📍 Serving: Irvine, Anaheim, San Juan Capistrano, Newport Beach, West Hollywood, Century City, and more

7. How Get Married Today Lets You Skip the Wait — Legally

Here’s what happens when you book a pop-up wedding with Get Married Today:

1. Book an appointment online or by phone
2. Bring valid ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.)
3. We issue your license on-site (you don’t need to visit the county clerk)
4. We perform your legal ceremony immediately
5. We file your marriage license with the county that same day
6. You get proof of marriage and can request certified copies

💡 Need an apostille for another country? We offer same-day apostille support with our apostille service team.

👉 Book your same-day wedding + license now

8. Marriage License + Ceremony in One Day — Here’s How It Works

We are a licensed provider in California — which means you can:

• Receive a legally binding marriage license
• Get married on the same day at our private office or a location of your choice
• No witness required
• No courthouse visit
• Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

📌 Available services:

• Elopement ceremonies
• Immigration/visa-friendly documentation
• Military leave weddings
• LGBTQ+ friendly weddings
• Hospital bedside weddings

🕒 No delay. No stress. Just get married today.

9. Apostille After Your Same-Day Wedding

For couples traveling internationally or submitting documents to foreign governments, we provide full apostille support.

🔗 What is an apostille?

We help you:

• Order certified marriage certificates
• Submit them for California apostille
• Receive documents ready for global use (under the Hague Convention)

🌍 We specialize in apostilles for:

• Mexico
• Spain
• Italy
• Philippines
• Colombia
• South Korea
• Brazil

👉 Learn more at Orange County Apostille

10. Conclusion: Don’t Wait to Start Your Life Together

Yes, some states require a waiting period to get married. And yes, in a few cases, you can petition for a waiver. But why wait at all when California lets you get married today?

Get Married Today is the fastest, most legal, and most professional way to:

• Get a marriage license
• Hold your ceremony
• File your paperwork
• Get certified copies
• Apostille your documents — all in the same day

We’re open 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
We serve couples across Southern California and welcome those flying in from out of state.

📅 Ready to start your forever — today?
👉 Book your same-day marriage appointment now