UncategorizedMay 9, 2025May 23, 2025Camden Alchanati

Do I Need to Be a Resident of a State to Get Married There?

(Spoiler: No — and Here’s How to Get Married Instantly Even If You’re From Out of State or Overseas)

Introduction: The Marriage Myth of State Residency

Many couples believe they must live in a state in order to legally get married there. It’s a common misconception that can lead to confusion — especially for those who are traveling, relocating, serving in the military, or visiting from abroad. Fortunately, in nearly every U.S. state, you do not need to be a resident to get married there — you just need to meet that state’s marriage license requirements.

At Get Married Today, we specialize in making it easy for non-residents to legally marry in California — with no waiting period, no witness requirement, and no courthouse visit. We provide both the marriage license and the ceremony in a single, fast, and convenient appointment — perfect for out-of-state couples, immigrants, military members, and international travelers.

📝 Ready to get legally married today, no matter where you’re from?
👉 Book your marriage license + ceremony now

1. Do You Need to Be a Resident of a State to Get Married There?

Short answer: No.

In most U.S. states, residency is not required for either partner to apply for and receive a marriage license. This includes California, Nevada, New York, and many others.

You can be:

A resident of another U.S. state
A tourist or traveler passing through
An immigrant or foreign national visiting temporarily
A couple eloping while on vacation
A military member stationed nearby

As long as you present the required ID and meet the age and marital status criteria, you can legally get married.

📎 U.S. Marriage License Requirements by State – NCSL

2. Residency Requirements by State (and Why California Is the Easiest)

Let’s break down a few examples of how different states handle this issue.

📍 California

No residency required
No waiting period
Confidential marriage licenses available (no witness required)
Same-day license and ceremony possible ✅ California Marriage License FAQ – County of Orange

📍 Nevada

No residency required
Las Vegas is known for quick weddings
Witness required for public license

📍 Florida

No residency required
3-day waiting period for residents (but not for non-residents!)

📍 New York

No residency required
24-hour waiting period
Must get married within 60 days of license issuance

📍 Texas

No residency required
72-hour waiting period unless waived

📍 Hawaii

No residency required
Great for destination weddings

💡 Pro tip: Even if your home state has restrictive rules, you can travel to California and get married the same day — legally, easily, and with full documentation.

3. How to Get Married in California as a Non-Resident

At Get Married Today, we help couples from all over the U.S. — and the world — get legally married without being residents. You don’t even need to go to the courthouse.

Here’s how it works:

✅ Step-by-Step:

Book an appointment on our website
Bring valid government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, consular ID, or foreign ID)
Sign your confidential marriage license (issued by our licensed team)
Have your ceremony on the spot
Receive confirmation of marriage filing
Order certified copies or request an apostille if needed for international use

📍 Book a same-day marriage appointment in Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, Anaheim, or Los Angeles

4. Who Uses Our Non-Resident Marriage Services?

Pop-up weddings and confidential licenses aren’t just for locals — they’re especially helpful for:

✈️ Travelers and Tourists

Couples visiting California from another U.S. state or another country can legally marry during their trip. No delay, no residency needed.

👨‍✈️ Military Personnel

Service members stationed at Camp Pendleton, Los Angeles AFB, or visiting on leave often need to get married fast to claim housing benefits, spouse ID cards, and medical enrollment.

📎 Military Marriage Benefits – Military OneSource