Marriage in the Military: What Are the Benefits?

UncategorizedOctober 16, 2025October 16, 2025Nancy

Getting married in the military is more than a romantic commitment—it’s also a legal and financial decision that comes with numerous benefits and privileges. Whether you’re an active-duty service member, a reservist, or marrying someone in the military, understanding the advantages and legal requirements can help you prepare for a smooth and meaningful start to your married life.

At Get Married Today, we help military couples get legally married on the same day—no courthouse visit required. From confidential marriage licenses, mobile officiants, to apostille services for international spouses, our all-in-one process ensures your union is both romantic and legally valid.

💍 Why Military Couples Choose to Marry Quickly

Life in the military moves fast. Deployments, relocations, and changing duty stations often mean couples don’t have the luxury of waiting months for paperwork and appointments.

That’s where Get Married Today’s same-day marriage services come in. We provide everything—from the legal marriage license to the ceremony itself—on the same day, including weekends and holidays.

Many service members choose to marry quickly before deployment for:

Legal protection of their spouse and dependents
Access to base housing and health benefits
Inclusion on official military records
Ease of travel, visas, and command approval for dependents

🪖 Top Benefits of Marriage in the Military

1. Housing Allowances (BAH & Family Separation Allowance)

Once married, a service member qualifies for the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at the “with dependents” rate, which is significantly higher.
In some cases, you may also receive Family Separation Allowance (FSA) if deployed or stationed apart from your spouse.

For details, visit the Defense Travel Management Office’s BAH calculator.

If you marry through Get Married Today, your legal marriage certificate is immediately valid for updating military pay and housing records.

2. Health and Medical Benefits (TRICARE)

Your spouse becomes eligible for TRICARE, the military’s comprehensive healthcare program, once your marriage is legally recognized and registered in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System).

If your spouse is foreign-born, Orange County Apostille can help you apostille and translate your marriage certificate for use in your spouse’s home country.

3. Legal Recognition Across the U.S. and Abroad

Military marriages performed by authorized officiants under state law are valid nationwide and for all military purposes.
At Your Local Notary Public, we can notarize your confidential marriage license application, certified copies, or affidavits needed for immigration or dependent ID updates.

If you need to authenticate your marriage certificate for international recognition, our team works with Orange County Apostille to handle state and federal apostille processing for use in countries like Mexico, Philippines, Japan, and Italy.

4. Travel, Visa, and Immigration Benefits

A military marriage can expedite immigration benefits for a foreign spouse, including:

Permanent residency (through USCIS military channels)
Parole in Place (PIP) for undocumented spouses
Expedited naturalization for spouses of deployed service members

Our team at Get Married Today frequently assists couples who need same-day legal marriage certificates for visa applications, embassy appointments, or deployment travel orders.

If your documents need to be used internationally, Orange County Apostille can authenticate all necessary paperwork.

5. Tax Advantages for Married Couples

Marriage offers significant federal and state tax benefits, such as:

Filing joint tax returns
Lower combined tax brackets
Additional deductions for dependents

Even if your spouse lives abroad, you can use your apostilled marriage certificate to file taxes jointly and prove marital status internationally.
You can get certified and notarized copies through Your Local Notary Public.

6. Life Insurance and Survivor Benefits

Married service members can name their spouse as the primary beneficiary under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).
Without a legal marriage certificate, these benefits may not be guaranteed.

By using Get Married Today, you receive a county-issued marriage certificate immediately—valid for all DoD and VA purposes.

7. Command and Deployment Considerations

Military commands require official marriage documentation to:

Approve dependent travel overseas
Issue base passes
Grant emergency leave or compassionate reassignment

Our mobile officiant services ensure your wedding can take place on or near your base, hospital, or private residence—anywhere in Southern California.

8. Educational Benefits for Spouses (MyCAA & GI Bill)

Spouses of service members may qualify for:

My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) scholarships
Transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits

These require official proof of marriage, which you can obtain through Get Married Today and authenticate with Orange County Apostille for overseas education programs.

🌎 Military Marriage for International Couples

If you’re a service member marrying a foreign national, documentation accuracy is crucial.
You’ll need:

Certified marriage certificate
Apostille or embassy legalization (depending on country)
Translations for consular registration

We coordinate everything between Get Married Today, Your Local Notary Public, and Orange County Apostille to deliver a one-day legal marriage with global validity.

⚖️ Legal Marriage Options for Military Couples

Confidential Marriage License

Available exclusively in California, this allows couples to marry privately without public record—ideal for deployed members or those seeking discretion.
Learn more about confidential marriage services.

Public Marriage License

Publicly recorded and available for verification by the military, this is best for documentation, insurance, and housing purposes.

Proxy Marriage

California does not allow proxy marriages, but with mobile officiants through Get Married Today, both parties can sign in person and get legally married the same day.

🕊️ How to Get Married Before Deployment

Here’s how military couples complete a same-day legal marriage with us:

Book your appointment online at GetMarried.Today
Meet with our Deputy Marriage Commissioner
Sign your confidential or public license
Enjoy a quick, meaningful ceremony
Receive your legal marriage certificate immediately

Need notarization or apostille?

Your Local Notary Public can notarize your supporting documents.
Orange County Apostille can process your apostille in just days.

📋 Required Documents for Military Marriage

Valid government-issued photo IDs (e.g., driver’s license, military ID, passport)
Proof of divorce or annulment if previously married
Birth certificates for international use (can be apostilled through Orange County Apostille)
Presence of both parties (in California, proxy marriages are not permitted)

Our notaries at Your Local Notary Public can notarize affidavits or certified copies if needed for your command or embassy.

💡 Example Scenarios

Before Deployment: A Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton needs to get married before shipping overseas. We issue the license, officiate the ceremony, and provide the certified marriage certificate—all within hours.
International Spouse: A Navy member marrying a fiancé from Mexico. We handle the translation and apostille for Mexican registration through Orange County Apostille.
Base Housing: An Air Force couple in Orange County needs proof of marriage to apply for family housing. Get Married Today provides the complete documentation package.

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❤️ Final Thoughts

Marriage in the military provides not only emotional unity but also a foundation of legal, financial, and logistical support that strengthens families and careers alike.

If you’re preparing for deployment or simply want to make your relationship official, Get Married Today makes it possible to become legally married in one day, with complete support from notarization to apostille.

With Your Local Notary Public and Orange County Apostille, you can rest assured that your marriage will be valid, recognized, and ready for all domestic and international requirements.