What Happens If We Just Sign a Marriage License?
For couples seeking a quick and simple way to tie the knot, the idea of “just signing the marriage license” sounds appealing. But what does that actually mean from a legal and practical standpoint? Can you become legally married just by signing a document, or is a ceremony required? And if you’re trying to get married urgently—whether for military, immigration, or personal reasons—what are your options for getting everything done efficiently and legally in one day?
In this blog post, we’ll explain in detail what happens if you just sign a marriage license, including legal requirements, common misconceptions, and how Get Married Today helps couples across California get married instantly—without needing a formal ceremony or a trip to the courthouse.
What Is a Marriage License?
A marriage license is a legal document that authorizes a couple to get married. It must be issued by a county clerk or authorized agent. In California, a marriage license does not mean you’re married—it simply means you’re permitted to get married within 90 days of issuance.
There are two types of marriage licenses in California:
- Public marriage license: This is recorded with the county and available as a public record.
- Confidential marriage license: This is not part of the public record and can only be accessed by the couple.
To obtain either type, both parties must be present, present valid ID, and be over the age of 18 (or meet special requirements if underage).
Is Signing the Marriage License Enough?
No—signing the marriage license alone does not make you legally married.
You must also:
- Have a legal officiant perform the marriage (this can be religious, civil, or private),
- Sign the license in front of that officiant, and
- Ensure the officiant submits the signed marriage license to the county for official recording.
Without the officiant’s involvement and proper filing, your marriage is not legally recognized.
Here’s What Happens If You Just Sign the Paper Without a Ceremony:
- The license is not valid until it is solemnized (a ceremony, even if symbolic or private, must occur).
- You will not be legally married unless the officiant completes their part.
- The county will not accept or record the license if it isn’t signed correctly and returned.
In California, a marriage ceremony does not need to be elaborate. Even saying “I do” in front of your officiant after signing the license is enough to meet legal standards.
Do We Need a Ceremony?
Technically, no big ceremony is required, but some form of solemnization is.
California law requires that:
- The couple declare in front of an officiant that they take each other as spouses,
- The officiant completes the necessary section of the license, and
- The license is returned to the county within 10 days.
So while you can skip the flowers, cake, or guests, you cannot skip the officiant or the legal declaration.
Can We Do This All in One Day?
Yes. With Get Married Today, we:
- Issue your marriage license on-site, even outside of courthouse hours,
- Provide an authorized officiant to conduct the ceremony,
- File the marriage license with the appropriate county,
- Provide proof of marriage immediately, and
- Order certified copies and optional apostille if needed for international use.
That means if you “just want to sign the marriage license” and be legally married today, we can make that happen—legally, quickly, and without stress.
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What If We Don’t Return the Signed License?
If your marriage license is signed but not returned to the county clerk, it will expire after 90 days. Even if you had a ceremony, the marriage is not legally valid unless the completed license is submitted.
At Get Married Today, we ensure your signed license is immediately delivered or mailed to the proper county office.
What If We Sign But Have No Witness?
In California:
- A public marriage license requires 1 witness (optional second).
- A confidential marriage license requires no witnesses.
This means that if privacy is a concern, we can issue a confidential license and perform your legal marriage without any guests or witnesses required.
This is ideal for:
- Couples wanting a private or secret marriage,
- Military couples needing to marry quickly for benefits,
- Immigration purposes requiring urgent proof of legal marriage.
Why Couples Want to “Just Sign the Marriage License”
There are many reasons couples prefer a minimal process:
- Avoiding the courthouse wait time
- Needing quick documentation for housing, immigration, or taxes
- Preferring something private or discreet
- Skipping expensive or traditional weddings
- Scheduling flexibility on holidays or weekends
Get Married Today offers a complete legal marriage service in one visit, seven days a week—including holidays and evenings.
Book a Same-Day Marriage Appointment
What Happens After the Marriage License Is Filed?
After we file your completed and signed marriage license with the county:
- The county records your marriage.
- You can request certified copies of your Marriage Certificate.
- We can order those for you and have them mailed to your home.
- If needed for a foreign country, we can also provide an apostille.
This documentation allows you to:
- Change your name
- Apply for a green card or visa
- Get spousal health or military benefits
- Add your spouse to insurance
- Update your marital status for legal or tax purposes
We take care of all these post-marriage steps to make your process smooth.
What If We’re From Another State or Country?
No problem. You do not need to be a California resident to get legally married here.
We help:
- Out-of-state couples
- International couples
- Tourists and travelers
California does not require a waiting period, so you can:
- Arrive in the morning,
- Get your license and ceremony with us,
- Be legally married that same day.
This is ideal if you are:
- Visiting from another country
- On a tight schedule
- Seeking legal marriage documentation for home-country recognition
We also provide apostille services for international legalization.
Is It Legal Without a Courthouse?
Absolutely. You do not need to go to a courthouse to get legally married in California.
At Get Married Today:
- We’re authorized to issue California marriage licenses,
- Our officiants are legally recognized by the state,
- Our services are valid and official under California law.
So when couples ask “Can we just sign the marriage license and be married?”—the answer is yes, but it must be done correctly. We’re here to do it right for you.
What If I Need Proof of Marriage Fast?
We provide:
- Proof of Marriage immediately after the ceremony,
- Expedited ordering of certified copies of your marriage certificate,
- Same-day apostille processing for countries under the Hague Convention.
Whether you need proof for:
- Immigration interviews,
- Military housing,
- Spousal visas,
- Insurance enrollment,
- Travel or international relocation,
We make it happen quickly and legally.
Real Couples Who “Just Signed and Got Married”
Military Couple from Camp Pendleton:
“We just needed to get legally married before deployment. Get Married Today issued our license and did a simple ceremony right outside the base. No guests, no hassle—just legally married, done in 20 minutes!”
Immigration Couple from the UK and Colombia:
“We flew into LAX, got picked up by the Get Married Today team, and got married that afternoon in Malibu. Our marriage was official and ready for our immigration application by the next day.”
Private Couple from Beverly Hills:
“We didn’t want a big wedding. Just wanted to be married. We met them at a hotel in West Hollywood, signed the documents, said our vows, and walked away legally wed—without ever stepping foot in a courthouse.”
What to Bring If You Just Want to Get Married Today
To get married on the same day with Get Married Today, you’ll need:
- Valid government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.)
- Payment for license and service fees
- Both partners present
- No prior marriage documentation needed unless recently divorced (some counties require final judgment)
We handle:
- All forms
- Filing
- Notarization
- Ceremony
- Legal proof
You show up—we do the rest.
We Can Meet You Anywhere
Want to “just sign the license” at your home, hotel, or favorite beach? We can come to you.
Popular locations we serve:
- Orange County
- Los Angeles
- Riverside
- San Diego
- Beaches, parks, hospitals, and private residences
We offer 24/7 flexibility for couples with:
- Travel constraints
- Health issues
- Military obligations
- Tight timelines
Final Thoughts: Signing Isn’t Enough—But We’ll Make It Easy
To recap: just signing the marriage license isn’t legally enough—you still need an authorized officiant and proper filing. But that doesn’t mean you need a ceremony, courthouse, or long wait.
With Get Married Today, you can:
- Get your marriage license
- Have a legal officiant perform the wedding
- Complete and file everything
- Receive legal proof—all in the same visit
So if you’re wondering what happens if you just sign a marriage license, now you know: it’s almost enough—just add the officiant. And that’s where we come in.
Ready to be legally married today?