How to Get Married and Obtain Legal Documentation of Proof of Marriage in Under 24 Hours - The Fastest Way to Get a Certified Marriage Certificate in the United States

Vegas may be for elopers, but even if you do a drive-through Elvis-themed wedding, you'll still need to wait days to obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate. You'll be crying in the chapel if you need legal documentation of proof of marriage in under 24 hours.

Don't go where fools rush in. Instead, follow these simple steps to get your marriage license, get married and get a certified copy of a marriage certificate all in one day. Here's the fastest way to obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate in the United States.

Instructions

1. Arrange your wedding ceremony in South Lake Tahoe, California. Yes, that's the California side of Tahoe, not the Nevada side. Getting married is big business in South Lake Tahoe, so it will be easy to look online to find someone to perform the wedding ceremony. Ask if they will give you the license/certificate to take to the Recorder-Clerk's office for certification. See the Resources section for a link to a reverend who will do this and also supply a witness and photographer for your wedding. Book it for midday.

2. Alternately, if you don't mind a civil wedding in an ugly office building, you can get married at the Recorder-Clerk's office. Contact them to make an appointment to get married.

   Recorder-Clerk, Placerville
   360 Fair Lane
   Placerville, CA 95667
   Phone: [phone]

   The office is open from 8am to 5pm.

3. Apply for your marriage license first thing in the morning at the Recorder-Clerk's office. It will cost $60 to get your marriage license. Both parties getting married will need to bring a valid photo identification to the County Clerk's Office. The ID must include a photograph, date of birth, and an issue and expiration date, such as a state issued identification card, driver's license, passport, military identification, etc. Bring a copy of your birth certificate too. Blood tests are not required to obtain a marriage license in California.

4. Get married.

5. Make sure you're at the Recorder-Clerk's office well before they stop issuing certified copies at 4:30pm. If you arranged your ceremony yourself (not at the Recorder-Clerk's office), take in your marriage license/certificate given to you by the minister and have the office certify it. You now have legal proof of your marriage.

Resources

• A Wedding Ceremony from the Heart