Can you get married without registering?
Asked by: Pascale King | Last update: January 25, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (37 votes)
In the United States, the only option would be to make a common-law marriage, which is possible in only a few states. The drawback of an unregistered marriage is that it's not recognized as a valid marriage unless proven to be a valid marriage.
Can you get married without registration?
True, you can't be married under California State law without a marriage license being taken out, signed by the officiating person (who has to have the authority to perform marriages), and returned to the county clerk.
What happens to a marriage that is not registered?
In most cases, you are still considered married without registering the license. For example, California law requires the officiant to return the marriage license to the county clerk or recorder within 10 days of the ceremony. If, for some reason, this does not happen, you are still married.
How do you get married unofficially?
During commitment ceremonies, the couple will typically exchange vows, they may choose to have an officiant present, and they may even incorporate aspects of their culture or religion. But commitment ceremonies are not legally binding, so you're technically not married in the eyes of the law.
Can you be married without a license in the US?
All states require a marriage license just like with a traditional wedding ceremony unless you are having a commitment ceremony.
DO NOT get a marriage license, HERES WHY
What is eloping marriage?
Eloping means that you forego a formal wedding and instead, choose to elope for the ceremony. It doesn't necessarily mean that you secretly run away with your partner without telling anyone. This is the notion some people still have when they hear about elopements.
Can you get married just you and your partner?
You can elope with just you and your partner or you can add a few friends and family into the mix. If you choose to invite other people you can ask them to also be your witnesses for your marriage license which is a bonus.
Is there a way to get married without it being legally binding?
But today, many partners still use commitment ceremonies to bind themselves to one another without going through the legal steps that marriage requires. It's a way for you and your partner to publically declare your everlasting love—and dedicate your lives to each other—without having to sign any legal documents.
Can I secretly get married?
Some couples choose to elope in secret, without involving family or friends. In the modern world, you can plan and have a secret and intimate elopement online. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of eloping in secret online.
Is it illegal to get married to yourself?
The Bottom Line
Yes, sologamy is legal in the strictest sense of the word. There are no laws against the practice in any of the fifty states in the US. You cannot be arrested or fined for marrying yourself. Individuals are free to make commitments to themselves at any time they choose.
What if I never filed my marriage license?
As long as she can prove there was a ceremony that was officiated AND there are witnesses to the ceremony, then yes the court will recognize that you are married. Her right to spousal support will depend on many factors. You probably should seek the help of a family law attorney.
How do you end a marriage if it is not registered?
Customary marriages can only be ended by obtaining a divorce order in a court of law or by the death of one of the spouses.
Are you legally married when you say "I do"?
It's considered a legal and personal commitment. For a marriage to be legal, it must meet the following requirements: Both spouses must agree to it voluntarily. Neither spouse can currently be married to someone else.
Does the Bible say you have to get legally married?
Does the Bible say you have to be legally married for your marriage to count with God? If by “legally”, you mean according to the laws of your nation, then no, the Bible doesn't say that.
Can I keep my marriage a secret?
You have the right to privacy in any relationship, including with your spouse, partner, and family. In any relationship, you have the right to keep a part of your life secret, no matter how trivial or how important, for the sole reason that you want to.
Can you take your partner's name without getting married?
You can also change your last name (or first) without getting married. Whether your state requires you to get a separate court order, or if you simply want to change your name to your partner's without getting married at all, you can still do this through a court order.
Can you get married without making it official?
The short answers are: yes, elopements are very, very real and no, you cannot legally get married without a marriage license. But (yes, there's a but!) you can have a marriage ceremony in which the two of you commit your lives to one another called a commitment ceremony.
What is a secret marriage called?
Elopement is a marriage which is conducted in a sudden and secretive fashion, sometimes involving a hurried flight away from one's place of residence together with one's beloved with the intention of getting married without parental approval.
Can you spontaneously get married?
Thanks to its relatively lenient requirements when it comes to acquiring a marriage license, California is also considered one of the easiest states to elope in. You're not required to be a California resident to marry in the state, and there's no inconvenient waiting period—your marriage license is valid right away.
Can you get married and not file it?
A common law marriage does not actually require you to file anything with the state. If you tell the community you are married, call each other husband or wife, live together for a certain number of years, and use the same last name, you can have a common law marriage.
Can you marry without permission?
On the authority of ʿĀʾishah that the Prophet (upon him be peace) said: “Any woman who marries without the consent of her guardians, her marriage is invalid…”
What is a relationship without marriage called?
Cohabitation is an arrangement where people who are not married, usually couples, live together. They are often involved in a romantic or sexually intimate relationship on a long-term or permanent basis.
Is getting eloped a real marriage?
An elopement is totally recognized as legal as long as you're abiding by the rules and regulations of the state or country you're choosing to get married in.
What happens if you marry someone who is already married?
The law states that marriage is a legal binding contract, and, by marrying again, you're breaking your contract and entering into the second illegally. Bigamy is a class C felony, which means that if you're convicted, you could receive a fine of up to $100,000 or imprisonment for up to 40 years.
How long can you be together before getting married?
Breaking down the data even more, two to five years appears to be the sweet spot. Over half of the 5,000+ couples surveyed got engaged within this dating timeframe. Another internal study found the average engagement length for US couples who got married in 2023 was 15 months.