Is It Possible to Skip the Waiting Period for a Marriage License?
Introduction: The Race to Get Married Today
Every year, countless couples dream of getting married quickly—sometimes even the same day. Whether it’s for military deployment, immigration deadlines, or the joy of spontaneous elopement, time is often of the essence. One question we hear often at Get Married Today is:
“Is it possible to skip the waiting period for a marriage license?”
The answer is—yes, in many cases! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down exactly how marriage license waiting periods work, the exceptions available, and how you can legally tie the knot without delay in California and beyond.
Section 1: What Is a Marriage License Waiting Period?
What Does a Waiting Period Mean?
A marriage license waiting period is the legally required amount of time between receiving your license and being allowed to have your ceremony. It is intended as a “cooling-off” period to ensure that both parties are entering marriage with careful thought.
Some states impose waiting periods of 1–5 days. For example:
- Texas: 72 hours
- Florida: 3 days (waivable)
- Illinois: 1 day
- California: 0 days (no waiting period)
Why Does the Waiting Period Exist?
Historically, the waiting period was implemented to:
- Discourage impulsive marriages
- Prevent fraud or coercion
- Allow time for counseling or reflection
However, as couples increasingly seek faster, legally valid options, states like California have abolished waiting periods entirely—making it possible to marry on the same day you receive your license.
Section 2: States With No Waiting Period
The good news? Not all states enforce waiting periods. These states allow immediate marriage upon issuance of your marriage license:
| State | Waiting Period | Same-Day Marriage Possible? |
|---|---|---|
| California | None | ✅ Yes |
| Nevada | None | ✅ Yes |
| Colorado | None | ✅ Yes |
| Idaho | None | ✅ Yes |
| Utah | None | ✅ Yes |
| Montana | None | ✅ Yes |
| Alabama | None | ✅ Yes |
For couples seeking fast documentation for immigration, deployment, or travel purposes, states like California provide a seamless process.
Section 3: California — A No-Wait State for Marriage Licenses
If you’re in California or can travel here, you’re in luck: there is no waiting period to get married after receiving your marriage license.
How It Works in California
- You apply for the marriage license online or in person.
- You bring proper identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.).
- Once you receive the license, you can get married immediately.
Get Married Today takes this even further by offering:
- Marriage license issuance on-site
- Officiation immediately after
- Apostille services for international couples
So yes—you can show up, get your license, get married, and have your marriage certificate in hand all on the same day.
Section 4: How to Skip the Waiting Period in States That Require One
Option 1: Get a Judicial Waiver
In some states (e.g., Florida, Texas), a judge can waive the waiting period in special cases:
- Military deployment
- Health emergency
- Religious reasons
- Immigration urgency
You’ll usually need to:
- File a petition with the court
- Show documentation (orders, tickets, letters from doctors or attorneys)
- Appear before a judge for approval
Option 2: Take a Premarital Course
In Florida, if you complete a 4-hour premarital course, the 3-day waiting period is waived for Florida residents.
Option 3: Get Married in a No-Wait State
You can travel to a neighboring state with no waiting period and get married legally there. This is often faster and less stressful than court petitions.
Example: Live in Arizona but need to get married today? Travel to California, get married the same day, and return with a valid U.S. marriage certificate.
Section 5: Urgent Circumstances — Why Couples Can’t Wait
Military Couples
Service members facing deployment may have just one day to secure marriage documentation to:
- Qualify for housing allowances (BAH)
- Apply for spousal visas
- Access healthcare benefits
Our services at Get Married Today are tailored for military couples—especially those stationed at Camp Pendleton, Twentynine Palms, and Edwards AFB.
Immigration Deadlines
A marriage certificate is often the first step in:
- Applying for a green card (Form I-130/I-485)
- Responding to a deportation notice
- Completing a fiancé visa conversion (K-1 to IR-1/CR-1)
Delays could result in missed opportunities—we help couples get legally married same-day with a valid California marriage license.
Health & Emergency Cases
Terminal illness, end-of-life care, or hospital visits often lead to urgent marriage needs. We serve:
- Hospice patients
- Couples in hospitals
- Elderly partners needing quick spousal documentation
We offer mobile wedding services and travel to hospitals, homes, care facilities, and jails.
Section 6: How Get Married Today Helps You Skip the Wait
Our Streamlined Process
- Book Online 24/7: Schedule an appointment
- Get a Marriage License: No courthouse visit required
- Get Married Immediately: At our office, your location, or a local venue
- Receive Legal Documentation: Ready for immigration or military use
Benefits of Our Service
- Licensed and bonded marriage officiants
- Legally binding ceremonies
- Apostille services for international recognition
- Emergency and same-day services, including weekends and holidays
Section 7: Confidential Marriage Licenses — Even More Privacy and Speed
California offers confidential marriage licenses, which are:
- Available without witnesses
- Not part of the public record
- Issued immediately
- Usable the same day
To qualify:
- Both parties must be 18+
- Already living together
- Must be married in California
This is ideal for:
- Celebrities and public figures
- Couples wanting privacy
- Immigration and military needs
Section 8: Common Questions About Skipping the Waiting Period
Q: Can I get married today without a marriage license?
No. You must have a legally issued marriage license, but in California, this can be obtained and used the same day.
Q: Do I need a witness for a same-day marriage?
Only for a public marriage license. A confidential license requires no witness.
Q: Can I get married outside of business hours?
Yes! Get Married Today offers 24/7 services—including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Q: Is the marriage legal in all 50 states?
Yes. A legally performed California marriage is valid across the United States.
Q: Can I use this marriage certificate for immigration or abroad?
Yes, and we also offer apostille certification for countries under the Hague Apostille Convention.
Section 9: Apostille Services — Marry and Travel Without Delay
If you’re marrying for international reasons (visa sponsorship, residence abroad, dual citizenship), you’ll need your California marriage certificate apostilled.
We provide:
- State-level apostilles from the California Secretary of State
- Federal apostilles from the U.S. Department of State (if needed)
- Expedited processing from our D.C. office
- Service in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Korean, and more
Section 10: Cities We Serve — Same-Day Marriage, No Waiting
We serve couples across California, including:
- Los Angeles: Westwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood
- Orange County: Irvine, Santa Ana, Anaheim, San Juan Capistrano
- Riverside County: Corona, Riverside, Moreno Valley
- San Diego County: Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista
- Ventura County, San Bernardino County, and more
Need a beach wedding, home ceremony, or fast chapel option? We can travel to you or host you at one of our locations.
Section 11: Client Testimonials
“We were married in less than 2 hours. The license, the ceremony, and the certificate—all same day. We’re so grateful to the Get Married Today team!”
— Brenda & Luis, Anaheim
“We needed to get married before my deployment. They met us at midnight. I can’t thank them enough.”
— Staff Sgt. Thompson, Camp Pendleton
“The apostille service helped us use our California marriage certificate for my visa in Spain. So professional and quick!”
— Laura & Raúl, Los Angeles
Section 12: Skip the Waiting, Get Married Today
Why wait days—or even weeks—for your marriage license to become active?
With Get Married Today, you can:
- Get your license and get married on the same day
- Avoid courthouse lines and appointment backlogs
- Get legally married in under one hour
- Use your certificate for immigration, military, or international purposes
Don’t wait to start your life together. Book your appointment today at GetMarried.Today and get married today.
Section 13: Helpful Resources and Backlinks
- California Marriage License Info – LA County Clerk
- California Secretary of State – Apostille Services
- USCIS – Green Card Through Marriage
- Military Marriage Benefits – DFAS
- Hague Apostille Convention – HCCH
- Orange County Marriage Services
- Get Married Today Booking
- San Diego Marriage License
- Riverside Marriage License
- California State Travel & COVID Guidelines