UncategorizedMay 9, 2025May 23, 2025Camden Alchanati

Why Do You Have to Wait Three Days to Get Married?

(And How to Skip the Waiting Period Entirely With Get Married Today)

Introduction: The Mystery of the Three-Day Wait

If you’ve ever wondered why some places make you wait before tying the knot, you’re not alone. Across the United States and beyond, several states enforce a mandatory waiting period between applying for a marriage license and getting married. In some cases, this delay can be three days or more — which may come as a frustrating surprise to couples who are ready to make it official, fast.

Whether you’re planning a spontaneous elopement, traveling to get married, or simply don’t want to deal with bureaucratic delays, the idea of having to “wait” after making a deeply personal decision can feel unnecessary. So, what’s the deal?

In this article, we’ll explore why the three-day waiting period exists, which states enforce it, how to avoid it legally, and — most importantly — how you can get married the same day through Get Married Today, a 24/7 licensed marriage service in California offering same-day marriage licenses and wedding ceremonies in one seamless appointment.

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1. The Legal Reason: What Is a Marriage Waiting Period?

A marriage waiting period is the required time between when you apply for your marriage license and when you’re legally allowed to use it to get married. In states with a waiting period, you can’t have a ceremony or file your marriage certificate until the clock runs out.

Why Do Some States Require a Waiting Period?

The waiting period is primarily designed to:

Discourage impulsive marriages
Provide time for couples to reconsider their decision
Ensure all required documentation is valid and verified
Allow time for objections (in historical contexts)
Give counties time to process paperwork

But here’s the thing — many states, including California, do not have any waiting period at all.

✅ In California, you can:

Apply for a confidential marriage license
Get married immediately
Have your license filed and recorded the same day

📍Learn how same-day marriage works in California

2. Which States Require a Waiting Period (and Which Don’t)?

While not every state requires couples to wait before marriage, many still do — and the policies vary widely.

📌 States With a Waiting Period

Here are some examples:

State	Waiting Period
Wisconsin	6 days after applying
Minnesota	5 days after applying
Illinois	1 day (24 hours)
Delaware	24 hours
Iowa	3 days unless waived
Louisiana	24 hours unless waived
Texas	72 hours unless waived
Florida	3 days unless premarital course is completed
Maryland	48 hours

See official marriage license requirements by state (CDC)

📌 States With No Waiting Period

Couples can marry the same day they get their license in:

California
Nevada
Colorado
Alabama
Idaho
Georgia
Montana
New Mexico
North Carolina

💡 Travel tip: If you’re in a waiting-period state, you can fly to California and get legally married the same day through Get Married Today.

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3. Why the Law Requires a Waiting Period: 7 Historical and Legal Reasons

Waiting periods might feel outdated, but here’s where they came from:

1. To Prevent Impulsive Marriages

States wanted couples to reflect before making a lifelong commitment. The idea was to provide a “cooling off” period, much like laws for large purchases or contract cancellations.

2. To Allow for Parental or Legal Objections

Historically, a delay gave families or communities time to object to an unlawful or improper union.

3. To Verify Documentation

Early legal systems didn’t have digital record access, so clerks needed time to verify identity, age, prior marriages, and other eligibility requirements.