Los Angeles Civil Marriages

Civil Marriage in Los Angeles — Legal, Simple, and Same-Day

Get Married Today makes Los Angeles civil marriages fast, private, and fully legal. Our team can issue your California marriage license, perform your civil ceremony, and file everything with the County — all in one streamlined visit, without relying on courthouse appointments or long wait times.

Same-day license & ceremony (when available)

Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages – Authorized in California

Los Angeles chapel & mobile civil ceremonies

Book Your Los Angeles Civil Marriage View Legal Requirements No courthouse visit required when you marry through Get Married Today.

How Los Angeles Civil Marriages Work

Location Options Los Angeles chapel • private venues • homes • hotels • beaches

What We Handle License issuance, civil ceremony, and county filing

Ideal For Local couples, tourists, immigration, military, and elopements

Overview

What a Civil Marriage in Los Angeles Really Means

A civil marriage in Los Angeles is a legally binding marriage performed by an authorized officiant, focused on the legal portion of your union rather than religious traditions. Whether you’re exchanging vows in our Los Angeles chapel, at a private residence, or overlooking the Pacific, the key is that your ceremony is conducted by someone authorized to solemnize marriages and your license is properly filed with the County.

In California, civil marriages are governed by state law and administered at the county level. In Los Angeles County, the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk oversees marriage licenses and marriage records. When you choose Get Married Today, you are still entering into the exact same legal marriage — you are simply choosing a faster, more private, and more flexible pathway than a traditional courthouse ceremony.

Our team is licensed and commissioned as Notary Publics and Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages, authorized to issue California marriage licenses and perform civil ceremonies. That means you don’t have to juggle separate appointments with the County, a minister, and a venue. Your Los Angeles civil marriage can be completed in one coordinated experience, with clear guidance at every step.

For couples who need to use their marriage certificate internationally, we can also coordinate apostille certification through our partner Orange County Apostille, ensuring your civil marriage is recognized in other countries.

A Los Angeles civil marriage through Get Married Today is ideal if you:

Want a legal, no-nonsense ceremony that still feels intentional and meaningful.
Prefer a private chapel, home, hotel suite, or scenic outdoor location instead of a courthouse room.
Have urgent timelines due to immigration, deployment, employment, or health reasons.
Already have a larger celebration planned later but need to be legally married now.
Are visiting Los Angeles and want to combine travel with a fast, legal civil ceremony.

If you’re unsure whether a Los Angeles civil marriage is right for you, reviewing the official state guidance from the California Courts and California Department of Public Health is a great place to start — and our team can walk you through how those rules apply to your situation.

Step-by-Step

7 Simple Steps to a Legal Civil Marriage in Los Angeles

The process for a Los Angeles civil marriage is the same whether you choose our Westwood chapel, a private home, a hotel, or another approved location in Los Angeles County. From ID checks to county filing, each step is structured so you always know what comes next.

Choose your date and Los Angeles location

Decide when and where you would like your civil marriage to take place — our Los Angeles chapel, your home, a hotel, or another appropriate venue. Then reserve your service through Book Your Marriage so everything can be coordinated around that time and place.

Arrive with your valid identification

Both partners bring valid, government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport). Requirements are based on California law and Los Angeles County rules, which you can review on the LA County marriage site and the state public health site.

Marriage license is issued on-site

Instead of visiting the County Clerk, your marriage license is issued directly by an authorized representative of Get Married Today. Information is carefully reviewed for accuracy so your Los Angeles civil marriage will be fully valid and accepted by the County.

Your civil ceremony is performed

A licensed officiant conducts your civil ceremony. The format can be very simple and efficient, or slightly more personalized with vows and readings. The focus is always on making sure the ceremony meets all legal requirements under California law.

Signing and completion of the license

Immediately after the ceremony, the officiant signs your license. If required, witnesses also sign. The completed license is then prepared for filing with Los Angeles County so that your marriage can be officially recorded.

Filing with Los Angeles County

Your completed marriage license is submitted to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk to be recorded. This is what creates the official public record (or confidential record, if you choose that option) of your civil marriage.

Requesting certified copies & apostille (if needed)

Once recorded, you can request certified copies of your marriage certificate for name changes, benefits, immigration, and more. If you plan to use your certificate outside the United States, apostille or legalization can be arranged through Orange County Apostille and the California Secretary of State.

Benefits

Why Couples Choose Get Married Today for Los Angeles Civil Marriages

Courthouse civil ceremonies in Los Angeles can involve limited appointment slots, long lines, and very little privacy. With Get Married Today, you still receive a fully legal civil marriage, but your experience is designed around your schedule, your comfort, and your specific legal needs.

Legal & compliant — without courthouse stress

Our team stays current with Los Angeles County requirements and California marriage law through resources like the California Courts and state vital records guidance. Your civil marriage is documented, issued, solemnized, and filed in line with county and state standards, giving you the same legal result you would receive at the courthouse — with a smoother experience.

Flexible locations across Los Angeles

Instead of being limited to county offices, you can choose our Los Angeles chapel in Westwood, a private residence, a hotel suite, or another suitable venue in the city. Many couples pair their civil marriage with time in Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, or nearby beaches for photos and celebration.

Ideal for immigration, benefits & time-sensitive cases

Couples often choose Los Angeles civil marriages when they need reliable proof of marriage for USCIS immigration cases, health benefits, military paperwork, or international use. Civil ceremonies with Get Married Today are structured so that your documentation is ready for next steps — including apostille through Orange County Apostille and notarization via Your Local Notary Public when appropriate.

Los Angeles civil courthouse alternative Same-day or short-notice availability (subject to schedule) Private, confidential options Supported by notary & apostille partners

Requirements & Scenarios

Who Uses Los Angeles Civil Marriages — and What You'll Need

Civil marriages in Los Angeles are a strong fit for many different situations — from local couples who simply want a low-key wedding to international couples working under immigration timelines.

Common reasons couples choose civil marriage in Los Angeles

✓ You want to be legally married now and celebrate later with a larger ceremony or reception.
✓ You are filing or planning to file an immigration case and need proof of marriage recognized by USCIS.
✓ You have limited time in Los Angeles as a visitor and want a same-day civil marriage while you're in the city.
✓ You are coordinating health insurance, employment benefits, or other legal matters that require a marriage certificate.
✓ You prefer a private, quiet environment instead of a public courthouse ceremony.
✓ You need a flexible date such as an evening, weekend, or holiday when county offices are closed.

Typical legal requirements for Los Angeles civil marriages

✓ Both parties are at least 18 years old (special rules apply for minors).
✓ Valid government-issued photo identification for each person.
✓ Any previous marriage is legally ended by divorce, annulment, or death.
✓ No blood test is required in California, and there is no waiting period once the license is issued.
✓ You do not need to be a California or U.S. resident to marry in Los Angeles.

You can find statewide guidance through the California Department of Public Health, and county-specific details through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. Get Married Today will review your situation in advance so your civil marriage can move forward with confidence.

After the Ceremony

From Civil Ceremony to Certified Certificate — What Happens Next

Your Los Angeles civil marriage does not end when the officiant says “you are now married.” Behind the scenes, your paperwork must be filed, recorded, and sometimes authenticated for use outside California or outside the United States.

Once your civil ceremony is complete and your license is properly signed, it is filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. After processing, the County becomes the official record-keeper of your marriage. At that point, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate directly from the County using information provided after your ceremony.

If you need to change your name, government sites such as the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service explain how marriage certificates are used for identity updates and tax filing. Many couples also review resources like The Knot and WeddingWire for practical post-wedding checklists.

For international use, your Los Angeles civil marriage certificate may need an apostille or embassy legalization. This typically involves the California Secretary of State and, in some cases, the U.S. Department of State. Orange County Apostille can coordinate these steps so that your civil marriage is recognized abroad.

If you later require notarized statements or supporting affidavits related to your marriage, partner site Your Local Notary Public can assist with notarization services that complement your civil marriage documents.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Civil Marriages

Answers to common questions about civil ceremonies, licenses, and legal recognition.

For a deeper dive into general questions about same-day marriages in California, you can also visit the main Get Married Today FAQ page.

Is a civil marriage with Get Married Today the same as a courthouse marriage?

Yes. As long as your license is properly issued, your ceremony is performed by an authorized officiant, and your license is filed and recorded with the County, your marriage is just as legal as a courthouse ceremony. The difference is the experience: with Get Married Today, you can avoid crowded lines and schedule restrictions while still receiving a fully valid Los Angeles civil marriage.

Do we still need to visit the Los Angeles County Clerk if we use Get Married Today?

Generally, no. When you marry through Get Married Today, your marriage license is issued by authorized personnel, and your paperwork is filed on your behalf. You will primarily interact directly with our team rather than the County. For official copies of your marriage certificate, you'll follow the instructions provided after your ceremony, which reference the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

Can non-U.S. citizens have a civil marriage in Los Angeles?

Yes. California does not require U.S. citizenship or California residency to marry. Many couples travel to Los Angeles specifically for civil marriages, especially when preparing for immigration filings. For immigration cases, it is wise to review official guidance on the USCIS website and consider whether you will need an apostille for use in another country.

Can we have a civil ceremony on evenings, weekends, or holidays?

Civil ceremonies through the County Clerk are limited to government business hours. Get Married Today provides a flexible alternative, offering civil marriages outside of normal courthouse hours when availability allows. This makes it possible to plan a Los Angeles civil marriage on highly meaningful dates, including weekends and holidays, without waiting for county offices to open.

Is a Los Angeles civil marriage valid in other states or countries?

A marriage performed legally in California is generally recognized throughout the United States and by most foreign jurisdictions. For use outside the U.S., you may need an apostille or legalization through the California Secretary of State and, in some cases, the U.S. Department of State. Orange County Apostille can guide you through these additional steps if your civil marriage will be used abroad.

What if we already have a big wedding planned later?

Many couples choose a simple Los Angeles civil marriage now and celebrate later with a larger event. Your civil ceremony through Get Married Today creates the legal marriage; your later celebration can be purely symbolic, with vows, a reception, or a religious blessing. Blog resources like Get Married Today articles and guides on WeddingWire and The Knot can help you plan that bigger celebration on your own timeline.

Can our Los Angeles civil marriage be confidential?

California offers both public and confidential marriage licenses. A confidential license restricts access to your record and does not require witnesses at the ceremony. Get Married Today can help you understand whether a confidential license is appropriate in your case and how it works in Los Angeles County. You can also review state-level information through the California Department of Public Health.

Can we still have personal vows or readings during a civil ceremony?

Yes. While civil ceremonies focus on the legal aspect of marriage, you can personalize your ceremony with brief vows, readings, or meaningful words, as long as the legal language and signing requirements are still met. Many couples enjoy a simple structure centered on the legal declaration with one or two personalized elements added.

Can our civil marriage be combined with photography or a small celebration?

Absolutely. Many couples plan photos in nearby areas of Los Angeles before or after their civil ceremony. You might head to scenic spots highlighted by Discover Los Angeles, book a restaurant in the city, or reserve a small event space for cake and toasts. Your legal civil marriage can be as minimal or as celebratory as you choose.

Where can we learn more about California marriage laws?

Official guidance is available through the California Courts and the California Department of Public Health. For Los Angeles-specific procedures, review information from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Get Married Today then translates those rules into a clear, step-by-step experience tailored to your Los Angeles civil marriage.

Resource Links

Top 20 Helpful Resources for Los Angeles Civil Marriages

Official, partner, and planning resources you can explore before or after your Los Angeles civil ceremony.

These links provide additional background on California marriage law, Los Angeles County procedures, civil marriage planning, and document support for name changes, immigration, and international recognition.

This page is for general informational purposes only and does not replace official guidance from Los Angeles County or the State of California. Requirements and procedures may change; always confirm the latest information directly with the appropriate government office.