UncategorizedJune 24, 2025June 24, 2025Camden Alchanati

Eloping for Immigration: Why a Legal Marriage in California Can Jumpstart Your Green Card Process

When it comes to love and immigration, time is often of the essence. Couples navigating the U.S. immigration system or going through an adjustment of status often face strict deadlines, document requirements, and legal uncertainty. That’s why eloping—especially in California—can be a practical and timely solution. Whether you’re adjusting status while in the U.S. or preparing for consular processing abroad, getting legally married through a same-day elopement can be the smartest first step.

At Get Married Today, we specialize in fast, legal marriages with no court delays, no long wait times, and no unnecessary stress. We issue marriage licenses on the spot and conduct legal ceremonies on the same day—even on weekends or holidays.

In this article, we’ll explore why eloping is an effective option for immigration purposes, what the legal requirements are, and how our services can help you meet urgent deadlines with confidence.

Why Eloping Helps with Immigration or Adjustment of Status

1. Legal Marriage = Eligibility for a Green Card

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires a legally valid marriage in order for a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) to sponsor their spouse. A confidential marriage license and same-day civil ceremony in California meets this requirement.

👉 Learn more about USCIS green card sponsorship requirements

2. Avoid Immigration Delays with Same-Day Marriage

USCIS often requests a marriage certificate as part of Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) or Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status). If you’re not married yet, these applications will be rejected or delayed.

By choosing a same-day elopement, you can instantly provide the required proof of marriage to USCIS, saving weeks or months of wait time.

👉 See USCIS document requirements

3. Same-Day Marriage Prevents Visa Overstays

Many foreign nationals are in the U.S. on visitor visas or student visas, with limited time before their legal stay expires. If you don’t marry and start the adjustment process before your visa lapses, you risk:

Losing your immigration status
Having to leave the U.S.
Facing a bar from returning

Eloping helps you file on time and stay compliant with immigration rules.

👉 Find out more about overstays and immigration consequences

4. Private, Fast, and Confidential

Immigration can be deeply personal. For couples who don’t want the stress of a courthouse crowd or a public wedding, our confidential marriage license ensures privacy. No public record. No announcements. Just legal proof when you need it.

👉 What is a confidential marriage license?

5. Start the Adjustment of Status Immediately

Once you’re married, you can submit your complete adjustment package, which includes:

Form I-130 (Petition)
Form I-485 (Green Card Application)
I-864 (Affidavit of Support)
I-693 (Medical Exam)
Filing fees

The sooner you file, the sooner you get your receipt notice, work permit (EAD), travel permission (Advance Parole), and green card interview date.

👉 Guide to Adjustment of Status

Why California is the Best State to Elope for Immigration

California has some of the most efficient, flexible marriage laws in the country. At Get Married Today, we take full advantage of them to help you get legally married fast and effectively.

Key Benefits:

No waiting period
No blood test required
Same-day marriage license issuance
Legal marriage recognized by USCIS and internationally
Available 24/7, including holidays

👉 Marriage License Requirements in California

Documents You’ll Need to Elope and Apply for Immigration Benefits

To elope and complete immigration paperwork, you’ll need:

Valid government-issued ID (passport, state ID, driver’s license)
Proof of legal entry to the U.S. (I-94 or visa stamp)
Birth certificate (for certain cases)
Divorce certificate (if previously married)
Passport-sized photos (for immigration forms)
Form I-130, I-485, I-864, etc.

We’ll help you get legally married today and guide you on obtaining certified copies for USCIS or for apostille services.

👉 List of Required Documents for Marriage

Real-Life Scenarios Where Eloping Made a Difference

Scenario 1: Tourist Visa Deadline Approaching

Maya and Ali had only 3 weeks left before Ali’s tourist visa expired. By using our same-day service, they were able to get legally married within 24 hours and file their green card packet on time.

👉 Can I marry on a tourist visa?

Scenario 2: DACA Recipient Needs Adjustment Before Renewal

Carlos, a DACA recipient, married his U.S. citizen fiancé using our services. We expedited the legal marriage, and he applied for green card adjustment instead of renewing DACA.

👉 Adjustment of Status for DACA recipients

Scenario 3: Consular Processing Requires Certified Marriage Certificate

A couple planning for consular processing abroad used our services to get a same-day confidential marriage certificate. We apostilled their marriage certificate within 72 hours.

👉 Learn about consular processing

We Also Offer Apostille Services for International Use

Planning to marry in the U.S. but submit documents abroad? You’ll need an apostille.

We provide same-day apostille processing for your marriage certificate so it’s legally valid in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention.

👉 What is an apostille?

👉 California Secretary of State Apostille Info

Marriage + Immigration FAQs

Q: Can I get married if I’m undocumented?

A: Yes. California does not require legal immigration status to marry. A valid ID is required.

👉 Learn more about undocumented marriage

Q: Will USCIS recognize a confidential marriage?

A: Absolutely. Confidential marriage certificates issued in California are fully valid and accepted by USCIS.

👉 USCIS Proof of Marriage Requirements

Q: Do I have to wait to apply for immigration benefits after marrying?

A: No. You can file immediately after receiving your certified marriage certificate.

👉 Green Card Timeline After Marriage

Q: What happens if I overstay my visa before marriage?

A: You may still be eligible for adjustment of status if you marry a U.S. citizen, but timing is crucial.

👉 Overstays and Adjustment

Why Choose Get Married Today?

Same-day license + ceremony
Legally binding marriages valid worldwide
Available 24/7 including holidays
Officiants who come to your home, office, hospital, or beach
Military and immigration discounts
Apostille service available for international documents
Certified copies ordered for USCIS submission

👉 Explore Get Married Today services

Book Your Elopement Today — Start Your Immigration Journey

If you or your partner are ready to begin your journey toward legal residency, don’t let paperwork or court delays stand in the way. At Get Married Today, we help couples elope legally, privately, and instantly so they can move forward with confidence.

Whether you’re filing for adjustment of status, submitting I-130 paperwork, or planning for consular processing, our services are designed to help you meet all deadlines and document requirements with ease.

📞 Call us now or visit GetMarried.Today to book your same-day marriage appointment. We’ll handle your marriage license, ceremony, and filing — all in one visit.