Elope With Get Married Today — Legal, Intimate, and Effortless
Eloping doesn’t have to be rushed or confusing. With Get Married Today, you can enjoy a beautifully simple wedding day with a valid California marriage license, a legal ceremony, and full filing with the county — all handled for you in one seamless experience.
What Does It Mean to Elope With Get Married Today?
When you elope with Get Married Today, you’re choosing a legal, streamlined, and intentional way to get married in California. Instead of months of logistics, deposits, and guest-list stress, you focus on one simple goal: getting legally married in a meaningful, low-pressure setting that fits your life right now.
We are authorized to issue California marriage licenses as Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages, then perform your ceremony and file your paperwork with the county. That means you do not need to visit the county clerk before your elopement date. Your license and ceremony can be completed in the same appointment — even on weekends, holidays, and evenings, as described in our guide to holiday and after-hours marriages.
Legal Marriage Without the Wedding Production
Many couples want the legal side taken care of now and a larger celebration later. Eloping lets you secure your marriage license and certificate, so you can handle benefits, immigration, housing, or family planning while still keeping the option of a reception or religious ceremony at a future date.
Intimate, Flexible, and Centered on You
Elopements are intentionally small, simple, and flexible. You might choose just the two of you, a couple of guests, or a tiny group of family and friends. Whether you prefer a casual office elopement, a balcony ceremony, a beach elopement, or a short visit before work, we structure the legal process around your schedule.
Same-Day License, Ceremony, and Filing
Your elopement with Get Married Today is designed to be completed in one continuous experience. In the same appointment, we prepare your documents, issue your marriage license, conduct your ceremony, sign and notarize the required forms, and handle filing with the county. No courthouse lines, no multiple visits.
Why Couples Choose to Elope
Eloping is no longer just about secrecy or last-minute decisions. Today, couples elope because it is practical, deeply personal, and aligned with their real lives. In second-marriage elopement guides and benefits-focused elopement articles, we see the same themes repeated over and over:
- Couples want to be legally married before a larger ceremony or reception later.
- They need marriage in place for health insurance, employee benefits, or shared housing.
- They’re upgrading a relationship they have already built, not starting from scratch.
- They’re on a tight timeline due to military deployment, travel, or immigration deadlines.
- They want a low-stress moment that is about commitment — not logistics and decor.
Whatever your reason, eloping with Get Married Today keeps the process respectful, efficient, and fully legal, while still allowing room for vows, photos, and a moment that feels like you.
How a Legal Elopement Works in 7 Simple Steps
The elopement process with Get Married Today mirrors the clear, step-by-step structure of our same-day marriage services. If you’ve seen resources like “Laws of Same-Day Marriage” or our city-specific pages such as Los Angeles Marriage and Same-Day Marriage in San Juan Capistrano, your elopement will feel familiar and structured.
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Confirm you meet California marriage requirements.
Both partners must be at least 18 years old and free to marry. If you were previously married, you’ll need basic information about how that marriage ended. Get Married Today provides eligibility details consistent with our California legal marriage overview. -
Choose your elopement setting.
Decide whether you prefer a simple office elopement, a balcony or chapel setting, or an elopement at your own location. Many couples find inspiration in articles like same-day marriage in Orange or Anaheim and holiday elopement guides. -
Arrive with your identification.
Bring valid, government-issued photo identification for each partner. If you’re an international couple, passports are typically used — the same documentation described in our international couple resources. -
Complete and sign the marriage license paperwork.
You will complete the marriage license application on-site. We guide you through each field, ensuring your information is entered correctly and that the license is issued under the correct type (confidential or public), depending on your needs. -
Enjoy your elopement ceremony.
A brief, legal ceremony is performed by an authorized officiant. You may personalize vows, add a reading, or keep things as simple as a short “I do” exchange. The goal is a ceremony that is legally compliant and emotionally meaningful — without unnecessary pressure. -
We sign, notarize, and file your documents.
After the ceremony, your officiant and any required witnesses sign the license. As notaries and Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages, we handle notarization and prepare your documents for filing with the county in the same way we describe in our same-day Orange County elopement guide. -
Receive your certified marriage record from the county.
Once filed, the county processes and records your marriage. Your certified copy is then mailed to you directly by the county, which you can use for name changes, benefits, or international purposes (with apostille, if needed).
Where Can You Elope With Get Married Today?
Eloping doesn’t mean your only option is a courthouse hallway. Get Married Today supports a wide range of elopement settings throughout Southern California — from simple offices to iconic local spots.
- Office and chapel elopements: Choose a cozy, private office or chapel for a quick yet meaningful ceremony. These are ideal if you want a focused, low-key environment that keeps the emphasis on your commitment.
- Balcony and semi-formal elopements: Some couples prefer a slightly elevated setting, such as a balcony or semi-formal environment, where you can take photos and enjoy a slightly dressed-up feel while still keeping the event small.
- Mobile and destination elopements: If you’re inspired by holiday elopement ideas or dream of a specific beach, park, or rental property, you can structure an elopement at your own location.
- International visitors: Couples traveling from abroad can elope in California and return home with a valid U.S. marriage certificate, using resources like Same-Day Marriage in California for International Couples and Same-day legal marriage for foreign citizens.
Making Your Elopement Count Internationally
For many couples, eloping is just the first step — especially when one partner is from another country or when the marriage must be recognized abroad. After your elopement, your certified California marriage certificate can be used for immigration, residency, or foreign registration. In many cases, you will also need an apostille or embassy legalization.
That’s where partners like Orange County Apostille’s apostille services and Your Local Notary Public’s apostille partnership become helpful. They help ensure your marriage certificate is properly authenticated for your destination country, following Hague or non-Hague procedures as needed.
| After You Elope | What You Can Use Your Marriage For |
|---|---|
| Receive a certified copy of your recorded marriage certificate from the county. | Update your last name, change marital status on government records, and adjust tax or financial profiles. |
| Request apostille or legalization, if your marriage will be used abroad. | Present your certificate for spousal visas, residency applications, or foreign marriage registration, backed by apostille guidance from Orange County Apostille. |
| Keep copies of your documents organized and accessible. | Use your marriage record with your bank, employer, or insurance provider — especially if eloping for benefits as discussed in our benefits-oriented elopement guide. |
Elopement vs. Traditional Wedding
Eloping does not replace every type of wedding — but for many couples, it is the most practical and emotionally honest first step. Later, you might host a reception, a religious ceremony, or a destination celebration while knowing your legal marriage is already complete.
| Elopement With Get Married Today | Traditional Full-Scale Wedding |
|---|---|
| Same-day license, ceremony, and filing in one coordinated visit. | Multiple vendors, contracts, deposits, and a long planning timeline. |
| Guest list can range from just the two of you to a few loved ones. | Often 50–200+ guests, with extensive logistics and RSVPs. |
| Legal, focused, and flexible — ideal for immigration, benefits, or tight schedules. | Designed primarily around celebration, decor, and guest experience. |
| Can be paired with a future reception or religious ceremony at any time. | Most legal paperwork is tied to a single planned date and venue. |
Professional Partners That Support Your Elopement
Behind every smooth, legal elopement is a network of professional services. In addition to Get Married Today’s marriage license and ceremony support, you have access to trusted partners that can notarize related documents, authenticate your marriage certificate for international use, and help with broader legal paperwork.
- Your Local Notary Public: Your Local Notary Public provides notary services and document support across Southern California, often working with couples who have just eloped and need additional affidavits or certifications.
- Traveling and hospital notarizations: For couples needing flexible services around their elopement, Your Local Notary’s 24/7 notary support and hospital notary services can assist with related documentation.
- Apostille and international documentation: Orange County Apostille and their detailed guide, “What We Apostille”, help ensure your marriage certificate is properly recognized abroad when your elopement has international consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eloping With Get Married Today
Eloping is simple, but it is still a legal process. Below are answers to some of the most common questions couples ask when planning their elopement with Get Married Today.
Is an elopement with Get Married Today a fully legal marriage?
Yes. Your elopement includes a valid California marriage license, a ceremony performed by an authorized officiant, and proper filing with the county. The result is a legally recognized marriage certificate, just like any other civil or religious ceremony. The difference is that Get Married Today specializes in simplifying and compressing the process — often into a single same-day visit.
Can we elope first and have a big wedding later?
Absolutely. Many couples choose to elope now for practical reasons and plan a larger celebration later. Your elopement date will be the date of your legal marriage, while your future reception or religious ceremony can be scheduled at any time that works for your family and budget. This approach is discussed in several Get Married Today blog posts, including those focused on holidays and second marriages.
Can international couples elope with Get Married Today?
Yes. International couples frequently choose California for elopements, especially when visiting for travel or to meet family. With proper identification and compliance with California marriage laws, you can complete a same-day legal marriage and then use your certified marriage certificate in your home country — often with the help of apostille or consular legalization services. Get Married Today’s resources for international couples explain this in detail.
How does an elopement help with employment or benefits?
When you elope, your legal marriage allows you to update taxes, enroll a spouse in employer benefits, adjust retirement or pension paperwork, or qualify for housing and mortgage programs that require marital status. Many couples time their elopement around open enrollment or financial deadlines, then celebrate publicly at a later date once the legal side is complete.
What documents do we need to bring to our elopement?
Generally, you will bring valid government-issued photo identification and basic information about any prior marriages. If you are an international couple, passports are usually used. Get Married Today will walk you through specific requirements for your situation, keeping the process aligned with California law and county clerk standards.
Is an elopement different from a courthouse wedding?
Legally, both result in a valid marriage certificate. Practically, eloping with Get Married Today often feels more relaxed and personalized than a courthouse ceremony. You avoid waiting rooms and government lines, and you can choose an environment that reflects your style — whether that’s an office, balcony, or off-site location — while still enjoying a fully legal marriage.
Begin Your Elopement Journey With Get Married Today
Eloping is about clarity and intention. With Get Married Today, you receive a structured, legally compliant path to marriage that respects your time, your circumstances, and your relationship. Whether you are eloping for love, for timing, for benefits, or for all of the above, our approach is built to make the process smooth and stress-free from start to finish.
Explore more about legal, simple elopements in the Get Married Today blog — including resources like California elopement guides, mortgage-timed elopements, and holiday elopement ideas — then choose the path that feels right for your life now, knowing the legal details will be handled with care.