Do I Need to Register My Marriage After the Wedding?
A Complete Guide for Couples Needing Urgent Official Documentation
By Get Married Today – California’s Same-Day Marriage Experts
When couples say “I do,” they’re usually thinking about the joy of their wedding day—not the paperwork that comes after. But for couples needing official documentation fast—whether it’s for immigration, military housing, dual citizenship, or international travel—the question of marriage registration becomes critical.
So, let’s answer the big question:
Do you need to register your marriage after the wedding?
The answer: Yes—but only under certain conditions, and in some cases, it’s handled for you automatically. At Get Married Today, we simplify this entire process, ensuring your marriage is legally binding, correctly registered, and eligible for same-day documentation if needed.
Table of Contents
- What Is Marriage Registration, Exactly?
- What Happens If You Don’t Register Your Marriage?
- Is My Marriage Automatically Registered After the Ceremony?
- Marriage License vs. Marriage Certificate
- What Do You Need to Make Your Marriage Legal?
- How Does Marriage Registration Work in California?
- Military, Immigration, and International Use Cases
- How Long Does It Take to Register a Marriage?
- Can You Register a Marriage Without a Ceremony?
- How Get Married Today Makes the Process Fast and Legal
- Do You Need an Apostille After Marriage Registration?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Book Your Marriage + Registration Appointment Today
What Is Marriage Registration, Exactly?
Marriage registration is the official process of recording a legal marriage with the appropriate government office, typically the county clerk or county recorder’s office. This process ensures that the marriage is legally recognized by the state, and allows the couple to obtain a certified marriage certificate, which serves as legal proof of the marriage.
Without proper registration, your wedding ceremony may be symbolic but not legally binding—a major issue for couples needing urgent documentation for things like:
- Green card applications
- Spousal visa sponsorship
- Name changes
- Military benefits
- Health insurance enrollment
- Applying for dual citizenship
- Apostille authentication for international use
At Get Married Today, we make sure none of that paperwork falls through the cracks.
What Happens If You Don’t Register Your Marriage?
Failing to register your marriage can lead to serious consequences, especially if you need urgent legal documentation. Here’s what might happen:
- You won’t be able to get a certified marriage certificate
- Your spouse may be denied immigration or military benefits
- You won’t be considered legally married for tax, health insurance, or legal purposes
- Any subsequent legal process (divorce, inheritance, adoption) may be complicated or invalid
- Your marriage will not be recognized internationally without registration and apostille
Think of the registration step as the key that transforms your wedding from a romantic event into a legally recognized bond.
Is My Marriage Automatically Registered After the Ceremony?
In California, yes—if done correctly.
When you get married through an authorized officiant (like the team at Get Married Today) and use an official marriage license, your officiant is required by law to return the signed license to the county clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. The county then processes it and registers the marriage.
That’s the moment when your marriage becomes official and legally binding.
✅ If you marry through Get Married Today, we handle all of this for you—same day.
✅ We file the license immediately with the county to ensure your marriage is registered fast.
✅ We offer priority certified copies and apostille certification for international use.
If you marry with an unlicensed officiant or fail to return the marriage license properly, your marriage will not be registered—even if you had a beautiful ceremony.
Marriage License vs. Marriage Certificate
It’s essential to know the difference:
- Marriage License – This is the permission to marry, obtained before the ceremony. It must be signed by both parties, the officiant, and witness(es) during the wedding.
- Marriage Certificate – This is the legal proof of your marriage, issued after the county clerk has received and registered your signed marriage license.
No matter how formal your ceremony was, without a registered certificate, your marriage isn’t legally recognized.
What Do You Need to Make Your Marriage Legal?
To ensure your marriage is valid and registered in California, you need:
- A marriage license issued by the county
- A legally authorized officiant to conduct the ceremony
- Witness signatures (at least one, if using a public license)
- Proper return of the completed license to the county
- Registration confirmation from the county recorder
- A certified copy of your marriage certificate for legal use
At Get Married Today, we handle all six steps in one single visit—making your marriage legal that same day.
How Does Marriage Registration Work in California?
In California, the process typically follows these steps:
- Apply for a marriage license through the county clerk (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, etc.)
- Have a legal ceremony conducted by a licensed officiant (like us)
- Officiant completes and signs the license with witness(es)
- License is returned to the county clerk within 10 days
- The clerk’s office registers the marriage
- You request a certified marriage certificate ($17–$25)
Timeline for registration:
- Most counties process and register marriages within 1–2 weeks
- Certified copies are available by mail or in person
At Get Married Today, we offer priority processing in collaboration with local county offices. That means you can often get a registered certificate within a few business days—or even the next day, depending on the situation.