A courthouse or civil ceremony is a legal marriage performed by a judge, justice of the peace, or court-appointed officiant at a government building. It is typically simple, fast, and affordable — often costing under $100 total.
16 steps across 2 sections
1. Steps Process
- Research Your Local Courthouse
- Check your county courthouse website for ceremony availability
- Confirm fees for both the marriage license and the ceremony itself
- Determine available days and times (some courthouses only do ceremonies on specific days)
- Check if appointments are required or if walk-ins are accepted
- Note guest capacity limits (some courthouses allow only a few guests)
- Obtain Your Marriage License
- Visit the county clerk's office with your partner (both must appear)
- Bring required documents: photo ID, Social Security number, divorce decree (if applicable)
- Pay the marriage license fee ($25-$100 depending on jurisdiction)
2. Key Details
- Total cost: Usually $30-$150 (license fee + ceremony fee)
- Ceremony duration: 5-15 minutes
- Guest limits: Varies widely — some courthouses allow 2-6 guests, others more
- Officiant: Judge, magistrate, justice of the peace, or court-appointed officiant
- Dress code: No official requirement; couples choose their own level of formality
- Waiting period: Some states require a waiting period between license issuance and ceremony
Common Mistakes
- Not checking if the courthouse requires appointments (some only do ceremonies...
- Forgetting to bring required documents on the day of
- Not arranging for witnesses (most states require two)
- Assuming you can bring a large group of guests without checking capacity
- Not ordering enough certified copies of the marriage certificate afterward
Pro Tips
- Visit the courthouse beforehand to see the ceremony space and take note of li...
- Hire a photographer for even a small ceremony — courthouse weddings produce b...
- If your courthouse ceremony space is plain, bring a small bouquet and boutonn...
- Consider scheduling a larger celebration or reception party for a later date
- Check if your courthouse offers any ceremonial rooms that are more decorative...