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UncategorizedApril 4, 2025April 4, 2025Camden AlchanatiNo Comments

Is a Wedding Ceremony Required to Be Legally Married? A Guide for Couples Needing Urgent Official Documentation

When couples decide to get married, they often think of a beautiful wedding day filled with flowers, vows, guests, and celebrations. But what if you’re not interested in the traditional wedding experience? Or, more critically—what if you’re on a deadline for immigration documentation, military benefits, or international legal paperwork?

The question we hear most often at Get Married Today is:

“Is a wedding ceremony required to be legally married?”

The short answer? No—not in the traditional sense of a big, formal wedding.

At Get Married Today, we specialize in fast, low-cost, legally recognized marriages, and this post will explain everything you need to know about what is (and isn’t) required to get legally married, especially for couples who need urgent official documentation.

✅ What the Law Says: Is a Ceremony Required?

The legal definition of marriage in the U.S. does not require a large or traditional ceremony. You only need the minimum legal requirements to be considered married in the eyes of the law.

Here are the essential elements for a legal marriage in California (and in most states):

✅ A valid marriage license
✅ Both parties present and consenting to the marriage
✅ A licensed officiant to solemnize the marriage
✅ The marriage license signed by the couple and officiant
✅ The license filed with the county clerk/recorder

That’s it!

You do not need:

❌ A venue
❌ Guests
❌ Rings
❌ Wedding dresses or tuxedos
❌ A party or reception
❌ A religious ceremony

📍 For marriage laws by state, visit US Marriage Laws

📝 What Is a Civil Marriage Ceremony?

A civil marriage ceremony is a non-religious, legal event where the officiant performs the basic legal solemnization of marriage. This is often as simple as the couple affirming they want to be married and signing the license.

At Get Married Today, we offer:

Private, civil ceremonies
Quick, legal solemnizations
Same-day service

🕒 It takes as little as 15 minutes to be legally married with us.

📍 Learn more about civil ceremonies at California Department of Public Health

💼 Why Do Couples Choose a No-Frills Legal Marriage?

Our clients come from all walks of life, but the one thing they have in common is urgency. Here’s why many couples opt for a fast, minimal legal ceremony instead of a big wedding:

💡 Immigration Reasons

If you’re applying for a spousal visa, adjustment of status, or green card, you’ll need a legal marriage certificate.

🛂 USCIS requires a valid, legal marriage certificate to process applications.
📍 Visit USCIS – Family Green Cards for documentation requirements.

💡 Military Deployment

Service members often need to marry quickly to provide spousal benefits or make emergency plans.

📍 Visit Military.com – Military Marriage

💡 International Recognition

Couples from other countries who marry in California may need their marriage certificate apostilled for legal use overseas.

📍 Learn more about apostilles at The Hague Conference

🛫 We work with our trusted partners at Orange County Apostille to ensure your marriage record is accepted in your home country.

🔐 Confidential Marriage License: An Extra-Legal Option

Did you know that California offers a Confidential Marriage License that doesn’t require witnesses and offers extra privacy?

This option is ideal if:

You want to keep your marriage out of public record
You want to avoid courthouse complications
You’re in a hurry and don’t want to bring witnesses

📍 Learn more at Orange County Clerk-Recorder

📋 Checklist: What You Need to Get Legally Married Without a Big Ceremony

✅ Valid photo ID (passport, driver’s license, state ID)

✅ Both parties present

✅ Marriage license (we issue it!)

✅ Licensed officiant (we provide one!)

✅ Filing the license (we do it for you!)

✅ Optional: Apostille (we process this with Orange County Apostille)

That’s it!

🎯 No reception. No dress. No photographer. Just a fast, easy legal marriage.

🌍 Apostille Certification: Make Your Marriage Valid Internationally

If you’re from another country and plan to register your U.S. marriage back home, you’ll need an apostille certificate.

This ensures your marriage certificate is recognized by your country under the Hague Apostille Convention.

Countries that Require an Apostille Include:

United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Germany 🇩🇪
Mexico 🇲🇽
Australia 🇦🇺
France, Spain, South Korea, Italy, and 120+ others

📍 Learn more about international marriage validity at Travel.State.Gov

We partner with Orange County Apostille to handle this for you quickly and efficiently.

🕒 Available 24/7 – Get Married When It Works for You

Life doesn’t run on a 9–5 schedule, and neither do we.

Our services are available:

✅ Weekdays
✅ Weekends
✅ Holidays
✅ Evenings and mornings

📍 Check availability and book at https://getmarried.today/

💬 Real Couples, Real Experiences

“We didn’t want a huge wedding. We just needed to get married quickly for my immigration paperwork. Get Married Today made it so easy!”
— Julia & Thomas, from the UK

“I was being deployed in 3 days, and we had no time for a wedding. They handled everything for us in one visit!”
— Sgt. Lewis, U.S. Marine

“We’re from Germany and needed an apostille to register the marriage back home. They took care of the whole process!”
— Max & Johanna, Berlin

🔧 We Help With Everything – From License to Ceremony to Apostille

With Get Married Today, you’re never left wondering what to do next. We guide you through every step:

Service	Included
Marriage License Issuance	✅
Legal Ceremony	✅
Witness Requirements	Optional
Confidential License Option	✅
Filing with County	✅
Apostille Preparation	✅
24/7 Availability	✅

📍 Book your marriage appointment at https://getmarried.today/

📌 Top 10 Reasons to Get a Fast Legal Marriage Instead of Planning a Wedding

💸 Save money (average wedding = $30,000)
⏳ Save time (done in one visit!)
📜 Legal documentation for immigration or military
💑 Focus on your relationship, not the guest list
🔐 Confidentiality options available
🛂 Support for visa/green card applications
🕒 24/7 flexibility
🌍 Apostille services for international use
📅 Perfect for elopements and emergencies
💍 You’ll be legally married with zero stress

🚀 Book Your Same-Day Marriage Today

If you’re thinking “we just want to be married,” you’re not alone. You don’t need a wedding to have a legal marriage—just the right team behind you.