A courthouse wedding is a two-step process: get a marriage license from the county clerk’s office, then have a short ceremony performed by a judge, magistrate, or other authorized official. The whole thing can often happen the same day, though some jurisdictions require a waiting period of one to three days between the license and the ceremony. It costs far less than a traditional wedding and takes just minutes, which is why roughly a quarter of U.S. couples choose this route.
Getting the Marriage License
Before any ceremony, both partners must appear in person at the county clerk’s office or vital records office in the county where you plan to marry. Bring these with you:
- A government-issued photo ID — driver’s license, passport, or state ID.
- Your Social Security number. Most jurisdictions ask for it, though not all require the physical card.
- If either of you was previously married, a certified copy of the divorce decree or the former spouse’s death certificate.
- Each parent’s full legal name and birthplace. Many clerks ask, and this is the item that catches people off guard.
Both partners must be at least 18. A growing number of states have removed every exception; some still allow younger applicants with parental consent or judicial approval. No state requires a blood test.
Residency Rules
Most states do not require you to be a resident. If neither partner lives in the state, you generally apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. A few states direct their own residents to apply in the county where they live rather than where the wedding will happen, so confirm the local rule if you’re marrying outside your home county.
Waiting Periods and Expiration
About two-thirds of states impose no waiting period, so the license and ceremony can happen the same day. The rest require a wait of 24 to 72 hours, though many offer waivers for military members or other circumstances. If a same-day wedding matters, call ahead.
Every license also has an expiration date. Common windows run 30 to 90 days, but the range stretches from as short as 10 days in a few places to no expiration at all in others. If it expires before the ceremony, you apply and pay again.
Fees and Application
Some counties let you start the application online, but you’ll almost always need to appear in person to sign and pick up the license. Fees run roughly $20 to $115 depending on the county. Payment policies vary: some offices take only cash or money orders, others accept credit cards with a small surcharge. Bring cash as backup.
The clerk reviews your documents, has you verify the application, and collects the fee. Double-check every name, date, and spelling before signing. Errors can delay the ceremony or create headaches later when you use the certificate for a name change or insurance enrollment. The visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes if you have everything in order.
Booking and Preparing for the Ceremony
Appointments
Whether you need an appointment depends on the courthouse. Some courts schedule ceremonies in dedicated time blocks and require advance booking; others handle walk-ins first come, first served. Urban courthouses with high volume tend to require appointments that may need to be set days or weeks ahead. Call the clerk’s office or check the court’s website. Showing up without an appointment at a courthouse that requires one means you go home unmarried.
What to Bring on the Day
You’ll need your signed marriage license, government-issued photo ID for both partners, and your witnesses. Most jurisdictions require one or two witnesses over 18 who will sign the license after the ceremony. Line them up in advance, or ask whether the courthouse can provide staff witnesses, which some do. Bring rings if you plan to exchange them, though rings are symbolic and not legally required anywhere.
Many courthouses charge a separate ceremony fee on top of the license fee. This typically runs $30 to $100, though some jurisdictions charge more for premium time slots or special ceremony rooms. Bring payment for that fee if it wasn’t collected when you picked up the license.
Security and Guests
Courthouses run airport-style security: metal detectors and bag X-rays. Leave pocket knives, scissors, aerosol sprays, and anything that could be considered a weapon at home or in the car. Phones and cameras usually pass through, but many courtrooms prohibit photography and recording without the judge’s permission, so ask before pulling out your phone during the ceremony.
Guest policies vary widely. Some courthouses cap attendance at four or five people; others allow 20 or more. Space is the limiting factor, since you’re typically in a small courtroom or office rather than a chapel. Confirm the limit with the clerk when you book, and arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to get everyone through security and settled.
What to Wear
There’s no dress code. Couples show up in everything from jeans to full wedding attire. Wear whatever feels right. The judge won’t care, and neither will the clerk.
What Happens During the Ceremony
The ceremony itself is brief, five to fifteen minutes in most courthouses. A judge, magistrate, or court clerk performs it. The officiant reads a short set of standard vows, you each say “I do,” and that’s the legal core of it. Some officiants let couples add personal vows or readings; others keep things strictly by the book, especially during busy time slots when multiple ceremonies are scheduled back-to-back. Ask ahead if personalizing matters to you.
After the vows, you and your partner sign the marriage license, followed by the officiant and your witnesses. That signed document is what makes the marriage legally valid. The officiant then submits the completed license to the county clerk’s office for recording. You do not leave with a marriage certificate that day.
Marriage License vs. Marriage Certificate
This distinction trips people up. The marriage license is permission to get married. You obtain it before the ceremony, and it expires if you don’t use it. The marriage certificate is proof that you are married. It’s issued by the county after the officiant files the signed license and the marriage is officially recorded. The certificate is what you’ll use going forward for name changes, insurance, tax filing, and other legal matters.
Allow one to several weeks after the ceremony for processing. You can then request certified copies from the county clerk or vital records office. Fees for certified copies typically run $10 to $35 each. Order at least two or three copies. You’ll need them for the name-change process, and having extras saves repeat trips.
After the Wedding
Taking a new last name is optional. If you choose to change it, start with the Social Security Administration, then work outward to your driver’s license, passport, bank accounts, employer records, insurance, and voter registration. Most of these need a certified marriage certificate and your updated ID. The new Social Security card typically arrives by mail within five to ten business days after the request is processed.1Social Security Administration. Change Name with Social Security
Marriage also changes your federal tax filing status for the entire year in which the wedding takes place, even if you marry on December 31. Your options become married filing jointly or married filing separately; you can no longer file as single.2Internal Revenue Service. Filing Status Most couples pay less by filing jointly, but joint filers are jointly and severally liable for the full tax bill, including any understatement caused by the other spouse’s income or errors. Worth a conversation about finances before checking the “jointly” box.