Marriage License Only
Need a California marriage license without a ceremony? “Marriage License Only” is designed for couples who want their license issued correctly and efficiently by Get Married Today, then plan to complete the ceremony separately (with your own officiant, a courthouse ceremony later, or another planned date).
What “Marriage License Only” Means
- License issuance only: this service focuses on preparing and issuing the marriage license.
- No ceremony performed as part of this product.
- For couples who plan to marry later: schedule your ceremony separately, on your timeline.
- For couples who need documentation readiness: some couples secure the license first, then align ceremony timing with travel, family, deployment, or venue availability.
Explore the license category here: Marriage License Products (Category).
Core Eligibility Rules (Non-Negotiable)
- Both parties must have a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Both parties must be coherent enough to understand and consent.
- If either person cannot clearly consent (for example due to intoxication, impairment, or confusion), the appointment cannot proceed.
- All information must be accurate and consistent with your ID.
For a broader overview of requirements, see: Requirements for Marriage (CA).
License Prepared Correctly
Data entry, spelling, and required fields are handled with care to minimize delays when you later need certified copies or use the record for official purposes.
Clear Next Steps
You leave knowing exactly what happens after the license is issued and what to do when you’re ready for a ceremony.
Compliance-First
We follow California rules and capacity-to-consent safeguards so your license issuance is legally defensible and properly documented.
What You Need to Know About “Marriage License Only”
When This Service Is the Right Fit
- You have a ceremony scheduled later (venue wedding, religious ceremony, destination ceremony).
- You want to avoid courthouse scheduling constraints and handle license issuance separately.
- You need time to coordinate witnesses/guests later (depending on your license type and ceremony plan).
- You’re planning an immigration, military, or travel timeline and want your documentation steps organized.
- You want the license step handled by a streamlined process similar to the one described on Same Day Marriage in Irvine, but without the ceremony portion.
What This Service Does NOT Include
- No ceremony performed.
- No minister/officiant signature as part of this product.
- No guarantee of a specific ceremony date/time (because ceremony is not part of the service).
Typical Items Couples Bring
- Valid photo ID for both parties (non-expired strongly recommended).
- Correct legal names (match ID), dates of birth, and current addresses.
- Parents’ full names and places of birth (commonly requested on marriage records).
- If previously married: information about how/when it ended (bring proof when applicable per requirements).
Reference page: Marriage Requirements.
How the License-Only Appointment Works
Verify ID & Consent
Both parties present valid ID and must be coherent enough to consent and answer questions.
Complete License Paperwork
We prepare the license accurately and walk you through required fields and signatures.
You Plan the Ceremony Later
Once issued, you coordinate your ceremony/officiant separately to complete the marriage.
After Ceremony: Filing & Certified Copies
After the ceremony is completed and the license is properly returned/filed, you can request certified copies through the appropriate channels.
If You Need International Use
For apostille/legalization later, see Orange County Apostille and related guidance.
Official Pages & Related Resources
These links cover the license-only category, requirements, and what happens after a marriage is completed and recorded.
Marriage License Only FAQs
Quick, practical answers about license-only service, requirements, and next steps.
1) What is “Marriage License Only”?＋
It’s a license issuance service without a ceremony. You handle the ceremony separately at a later time.
2) Does this include an officiant or ceremony?＋
No. This product is for the license step only.
3) Do both parties need to be present?＋
Yes—license issuance is a two-party appointment, and both must present valid ID.
4) What IDs are acceptable?＋
Government-issued photo IDs are commonly acceptable (driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, etc.). Bring your best, current ID.
5) What does “must be coherent enough” mean?＋
Both parties must be able to understand the process, answer basic questions, and consent freely without impairment.
6) Can we get the license first and do the ceremony later?＋
Yes—this service is specifically designed for that structure.
7) Does a license-only appointment make us married?＋
No. A legal marriage is completed when the ceremony is performed by a qualified officiant and the license is properly completed and returned for recording.
8) What if we already have a ceremony date booked?＋
Then license-only can be a good fit so your ceremony day remains focused on your celebration.
9) What information should we prepare ahead of time?＋
Correct spellings of legal names, DOBs, addresses, and parent details. If previously married, have accurate end-of-marriage info.
10) What if one of us was previously married?＋
You must be legally free to marry. If a prior marriage ended recently, bring proof as described in the requirements page.
11) Is this service private?＋
Many couples choose confidential licenses for privacy; review the confidential license overview to understand the rules.
12) Can we use our own officiant later?＋
Yes. Make sure your officiant is authorized to perform marriages in California and knows how to properly complete the license.
13) What happens after our ceremony is completed?＋
The completed license must be returned/recorded per the instructions so the marriage record can be created and certified copies can be requested.
14) How do we get certified copies later?＋
After recording, certified copies are requested through the appropriate official channels (county recorder/clerk processes).
15) Will we need our marriage certificate for benefits?＋
Often yes—benefits and immigration processes typically require certified copies once your record is recorded.
16) Can a license-only option work for immigration plans?＋
Yes, as part of a structured timeline. You still must complete the ceremony and recording to obtain certified copies for filings.
17) Can we apostille our marriage certificate later?＋
Yes—after you have a certified copy. Apostille services are commonly handled through partners like Orange County Apostille.
18) Does Get Married Today help with “license + ceremony” too?＋
Yes—see the shop and location pages for packages that include both license and ceremony.
19) Is this the same as a courthouse license?＋
It’s a different workflow designed to avoid courthouse scheduling constraints while still following California requirements.
20) Where can we review all license products?＋
Start here: Marriage License Category.
