UncategorizedMay 20, 2025May 23, 2025Camden Alchanati

Can You Legally Marry Someone the Same Day You Apply for a Marriage License?

In moments of love, urgency, or celebration, many couples find themselves asking: Can we get married today? If you’re wondering whether it’s legally possible to marry someone the same day you apply for a marriage license, the answer is: yes—under the right conditions. This guide will explore the legal landscape across the U.S., highlight states that allow same-day marriages, explain any waiting periods, and show how Get Married Today provides everything you need—license, officiant, ceremony, and legal filing—all in just one appointment.

Introduction: The Desire for Same-Day Marriage
Understanding the Marriage License Process
What Is a Marriage Waiting Period?
States That Allow Same-Day Marriage
States With a Mandatory Waiting Period
What Happens If You Skip the Waiting Period?
County Clerk Limitations vs. Private Services
How Get Married Today Enables Same-Day Legal Marriage
Same-Day Marriage for Military, Immigration, or Emergencies
Required Documents for Same-Day Marriage
Ceremony Requirements: Do You Need a Wedding?
Apostille Services for International Marriage Proof
Booking Your Same-Day Marriage Appointment
Testimonials From Couples Who Married the Same Day
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts

1. Introduction: The Desire for Same-Day Marriage

Love doesn’t always wait—and neither should your marriage. Whether you’re eloping, facing immigration deadlines, planning a surprise, or simply ready to start your life together, same-day marriage is more than just a dream—it’s a legal possibility in many parts of the U.S., especially in California.

At Get Married Today, we specialize in legally binding marriages with no courthouse visit, no long lines, and no waiting period. But how does the law actually work?

2. Understanding the Marriage License Process

Every legal marriage in the U.S. requires a marriage license. A marriage license is a legal document issued by a government authority (typically a county clerk’s office) authorizing a couple to marry. After the ceremony, this license is signed by the officiant and submitted to be recorded, after which a marriage certificate is issued.

Here’s a simplified breakdown:

Marriage License = Permission to marry
Marriage Ceremony = Legal event required to make the marriage valid
Marriage Certificate = Proof of marriage

But here’s the twist: some states allow the license to be used immediately, while others enforce a waiting period.

3. What Is a Marriage Waiting Period?

A waiting period is the amount of time a couple must wait between receiving their marriage license and holding their legal ceremony. This ranges from no waiting period (immediate use) to several days.

States with no waiting period allow couples to get married on the same day they apply. Others may require a delay of 1 to 5 days.

Waiting periods were originally created to prevent rushed decisions, but in today’s world, they often cause unnecessary delays—especially for couples with urgent needs.

4. States That Allow Same-Day Marriage

Many states allow same-day marriage by either having no waiting period or offering a waiver of the waiting period. These include:

✅ States With No Waiting Period

California
Nevada
Texas
Colorado
Arizona
Idaho
Utah
Alabama
Georgia
Arkansas

In these states, once the license is issued, you can legally marry immediately.

💡 Note:

In California, Get Married Today can issue your marriage license on the spot and perform your legally binding ceremony in one visit—available 24/7, even on weekends and holidays.

5. States With a Mandatory Waiting Period

Some states enforce a mandatory waiting period between receiving a license and legally marrying. For example:

State	Waiting Period
Florida	3 days
Illinois	1 day
Maryland	2 days
Minnesota	5 days
New York	24 hours
Wisconsin	6 days

In these states, you must wait before the ceremony. However, in some places, a judge can waive the waiting period under special circumstances—military deployment, immigration deadlines, or medical urgency.

6. What Happens If You Skip the Waiting Period?

If a couple marries before the waiting period ends (in states where the law applies), the marriage may be deemed invalid. This could result in:

Delays in immigration paperwork
Problems with spousal benefits (military, healthcare, insurance)
Legal disputes during divorce
Need to remarry later

In short: don’t risk it. Make sure you’re in a state like California where no waiting period exists—or let a professional team like Get Married Today handle it for you.

7. County Clerk Limitations vs. Private Services

Many couples think the only way to get legally married is by visiting the county clerk. But here’s the truth:

County clerks often require:

Appointments weeks in advance
Business hour availability only
Long lines
Paperwork delays

At Get Married Today, we are authorized to issue confidential California marriage licenses, conduct legally binding ceremonies, and file your paperwork directly with the county registrar—no courthouse required.

8. How Get Married Today Enables Same-Day Legal Marriage

Here’s how we make same-day marriage simple:

💍 Step-by-Step Same-Day Marriage with Get Married Today:

Book your appointment online at getmarried.today
Meet us at one of our Southern California locations (or request an on-location visit)
Show valid ID and fill out a quick questionnaire
We issue your marriage license on the spot
Our licensed officiant performs your ceremony
We file your documents directly with the county
You’re legally married before the end of your appointment

All in one visit, typically under 60 minutes.

9. Same-Day Marriage for Military, Immigration, or Emergencies

Military:

Need to get married before a deployment? Spouse needs access to benefits or housing? We offer military discounts and emergency appointments.

Immigration:

Facing a deadline for a fiancé or spousal visa? A legal marriage can change your immigration status. We offer same-day certified copies and apostille services for international use.

Emergencies:

Hospitals, last-minute ceremonies, special travel needs—we come to you, 24/7.

10. Required Documents for Same-Day Marriage

To legally marry the same day you apply, you’ll need:

Valid government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, Green Card)
Legal names and dates of birth
Divorce documentation (if either party was previously married)
No blood test required in California

If you’re unsure what to bring, contact our team anytime for a checklist.

11. Ceremony Requirements: Do You Need a Wedding?

In California, the law requires a ceremony with a licensed officiant, but it can be as simple as signing your license in front of a witness.

At Get Married Today, we provide:

Legal officiant
Ceremony script (or customized vows)
Witness if needed
Filing with the county registrar

No big wedding. No decorations necessary. Just you, your partner, and your love—legally recognized.

12. Apostille Services for International Marriage Proof

If you or your spouse are from another country, your marriage may need to be recognized abroad. That means obtaining an apostille on your marriage certificate.

We provide:

Apostille certification for countries under the Hague Convention
FedEx international delivery options
Fast processing through our Washington, D.C. office for federal documents

Whether you’re applying for a spousal visa or submitting proof of marriage overseas, we handle it in-house.

13. Booking Your Same-Day Marriage Appointment

It’s easy:

Visit https://getmarried.today
Choose a time and location
Pay your booking fee (includes license & officiant)
Come ready with ID
Leave legally married

You can also call or text us directly for emergencies or last-minute availability.

14. Testimonials From Couples Who Married the Same Day

“We got married the same day we called. The team was professional, fast, and made it so easy!”
– Angela & Victor, Newport Beach

“My fiancé’s visa was expiring—we needed to act fast. Get Married Today handled the license, ceremony, and even the apostille for his home country.”
– Maria & Alejandro, Irvine

“We’re a military couple. Got married before his deployment with full legal documentation in less than 2 hours.”
– Jasmine & Ray, Camp Pendleton

15. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really get married today?

Yes! In California, there is no waiting period. We issue your license and officiate your marriage the same day.

What if I’m from out of state?

No problem. California has no residency requirement to get married here.

Do I need witnesses?

If you’re getting a confidential marriage license, no witnesses are required.

What does it cost?

Our full service—including license issuance, officiant, ceremony, and filing—starts around $195-$395, depending on location.

Can you come to our hotel or home?

Yes, we offer mobile same-day marriage services across Southern California.

16. Final Thoughts

The answer is clear: Yes, you can legally marry someone the same day you apply for a marriage license—especially if you’re in California. With Get Married Today, it’s fast, easy, legal, and available 24/7.

Skip the courthouse. Avoid the waiting. Let us help you get married today.

Book your same-day marriage now at https://getmarried.today or text us for immediate availability.

California Department of Public Health – Marriage Licenses

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk – Marriage Services

Orange County Clerk-Recorder – Marriage Services

San Diego County – Marriage Licenses

Riverside County Clerk – Marriage License Info

Sacramento County Clerk – Marriage License Appointments

San Bernardino County Recorder – Marriage Services

City of Beverly Hills – Marriage Services

City of Newport Beach – Marriage License Information

City of Anaheim – City Clerk’s Marriage Page