UncategorizedJune 13, 2025June 16, 2025Camden Alchanati

What Is the Fastest Way to Get Legally Married in the U.S.?

When love can’t wait, many couples begin asking the same question: What is the fastest way to get legally married in the United States? Whether you’re dealing with a visa deadline, military deployment, or simply don’t want to wait for a traditional wedding, understanding your fastest options is key to getting legally married quickly and efficiently.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know—from states with no waiting periods, to how services like Get Married Today can issue your marriage license and perform the ceremony all in one visit—sometimes in just a few hours.

Why Do Some Couples Need to Get Married Fast?

There are countless reasons why a couple might need to get married urgently:

Immigration deadlines
Military benefits before deployment
Health emergencies or hospitalization
Desire to start a family or adoption process
Religious or cultural timing
A spontaneous elopement decision

Whatever your reason, knowing the legal requirements and leveraging services designed for speed can make the difference between weeks of delays and a same-day celebration.

The Basics of Legal Marriage in the U.S.

To get legally married in the U.S., you must:

Obtain a valid marriage license from the state where the marriage will take place.
Have a legal marriage ceremony performed by an authorized officiant.
Ensure the license is properly signed and filed with the appropriate government office (usually the County Clerk or Recorder).

These steps apply to every state, but each has unique rules around waiting periods, residency, documentation, and who can perform the ceremony.

States With No Waiting Period for Marriage

Some states allow you to get married the same day you receive your marriage license. These are your best bets for the fastest legal marriage:

State	Waiting Period After License Issued
California	None (immediate use)
Nevada	None
Colorado	None
Idaho	None
Alabama	None
Utah	None
Montana	None
Texas	72 hours (can be waived in some cases)

California is particularly popular because it allows confidential marriage licenses, which means no witnesses are required and the marriage record is not part of the public record.

What Is the Fastest Legal Marriage Option in California?

In California, you can legally marry in just one visit using same-day services like Get Married Today. Here’s how it works:

✅ Step 1: Schedule Your Appointment

Visit GetMarried.Today to schedule your appointment. You can choose to come to one of our Southern California offices or request an officiant to meet you at your home, hospital room, beach, or hotel.

✅ Step 2: Present Your ID

Bring valid government-issued photo identification. If you’ve been divorced recently, some counties may ask for documentation of dissolution, but this is rarely required if you’re over 90 days past your divorce date.

✅ Step 3: Get Your Marriage License

We are legally authorized to issue your marriage license on the spot—without requiring you to visit the County Clerk.

✅ Step 4: Have the Ceremony

Immediately following the license issuance, a legally binding ceremony is conducted by our ordained officiant. You can personalize the vows or keep it simple—it’s entirely up to you.

✅ Step 5: Legal Filing and Certified Copies

We file the license with the County Clerk’s office on your behalf. You’ll receive Proof of Marriage the same day, and we’ll order your certified marriage certificate to be mailed to your address. We also offer apostille certification for international recognition.

Benefits of Same-Day Marriage Services

Choosing a same-day legal marriage service offers major advantages:

No courthouse visit needed
No waiting period
No residency requirement
Marriage license and ceremony in one visit
Discreet and private
Ideal for military, immigration, or elopement needs

We provide flexible, 24/7 services—including evenings, weekends, and holidays—to ensure you get married when it matters most.

Fast Marriage for Military Members

If you’re a member of the U.S. military, you may need to get legally married quickly to qualify for:

BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing)
Tricare spousal coverage
Military ID card issuance
Spousal immigration sponsorship

Get Married Today has experience working with military couples, especially those stationed at Camp Pendleton, Fort Irwin, or Naval Base San Diego. We offer same-day appointments, military discounts, and document apostille for international use.

Urgent Marriage for Immigration

Couples seeking to begin family-based green card or spousal visa processes often need to get married urgently. Immigration deadlines, pending I-130 filings, or expired visas can require fast legal proof of marriage.

We provide:

Confidential marriage licenses (not visible to public databases or USCIS searches)
Official certificate ordering
Apostille certification for use in countries under the Hague Apostille Convention

For many immigration cases, having the official certificate as soon as possible is critical. Get Married Today expedites this for you.

Can I Get Married Without a Ceremony?

Technically, a legal marriage ceremony is required—even if it’s extremely brief. But you do not need a traditional wedding with guests, decorations, or vows. A five-minute exchange of legal words before an officiant fulfills the legal requirement.

Our officiants can conduct the ceremony in:

A private office
Your vehicle (drive-through style)
A hospital room
Your home or hotel room
A quiet park or beach

No matter how minimal, we ensure all legal formalities are met.

What If My Partner Is Overseas?

If your fiancé(e) is not in the U.S., you have two main options:

Fiancé(e) Visa (K-1) – You remain engaged and file a petition. You must marry within 90 days of their arrival.
Get Married in the U.S. – If your partner is visiting on a visa, you can legally marry here before they return home. Later, you can file for spousal immigration benefits.

We specialize in helping couples in this situation by offering private, discreet, fast legal marriage services with no residency or citizenship requirement.

What Documents Do I Need to Get Married Quickly?

To get legally married in the U.S. as fast as possible, you’ll need:

Valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
No current legal marriage to another person
Full names, birth dates, and parent information for the marriage license
(If divorced recently) Certified copy of your divorce decree

That’s it. No birth certificate, no social security number, and no blood test is required in California.

What’s the Fastest State to Get Married In?

If you’re looking purely for speed, California and Nevada lead the pack.

Nevada (Las Vegas): Walk-in marriage license, then married at a chapel in minutes.
California (Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego): No waiting period, and Get Married Today brings the service directly to you.

California has the added benefit of confidential licenses, 24/7 services, and easy certificate retrieval options.

What About Apostille for International Marriage Use?

If you need your marriage recognized overseas—for dual citizenship, visas, or official registration—you’ll likely need an apostille.

Get Married Today handles this for you by:

Requesting certified copies of your marriage certificate
Submitting your document for apostille at the state or federal level
Returning it to your home or destination country, ready for legal use abroad

This saves you weeks of dealing with the Secretary of State or U.S. Department of State processes.

How Much Does a Fast Legal Marriage Cost?

Prices vary depending on location and level of service, but with Get Married Today, you can expect:

Marriage license issuance: Included in service packages
Legal ceremony: Included
Certified copy: ~$17–$25 (varies by county)
Apostille service: Additional (quoted by country)
Mobile service to home/hotel/hospital: Available

We’re fully transparent with pricing and offer discounts for military and emergency needs. Book your appointment directly at https://getmarried.today/.