The cost to get married in court usually runs between $30 and $250 total, covering two main charges: the marriage license and the ceremony fee. The exact figure depends on your county and state, since local governments set their own fee schedules. For couples skipping a traditional wedding, a civil ceremony at the courthouse is one of the cheapest ways to make a marriage legally official.
Marriage License Fees
The marriage license is the document that gives you legal permission to marry, and it’s required everywhere in the United States regardless of where the ceremony happens. You apply for it at a local government office, almost always the county clerk. Both partners typically need to appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification.
License fees across the country range from roughly $20 to more than $100, with the national average around $65. Rural counties tend to charge on the lower end, and major metropolitan areas often charge more. A handful of jurisdictions set fees above $100, so calling your county clerk’s office ahead of time is worth the two minutes.
The fee covers administrative processing: reviewing your application, verifying eligibility, and recording the marriage after the ceremony. It does not usually include certified copies of the marriage certificate, which are billed separately.
Court Ceremony Fees
The ceremony itself carries its own charge in most places. This pays the officiant, whether that’s a judge, magistrate, justice of the peace, or a designated clerk. Some jurisdictions roll the ceremony cost into the license fee or don’t charge anything extra, but most charge between $25 and $150 for a standard civil ceremony during business hours.
After-hours and weekend ceremonies almost always cost more. Officiants who perform ceremonies outside regular courthouse hours often add surcharges of $25 to $100 on top of the base fee. Weekend and holiday ceremonies can run $150 to $300 in some areas. A weekday ceremony during business hours is the cheapest option by a wide margin.
A few states also allow self-solemnizing marriages, where no officiant is required at all. Colorado, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. are among the jurisdictions that permit this, which eliminates the ceremony fee entirely. You still need the marriage license, but you and your partner can legally marry each other without a third party performing the ceremony.
Discounts for Premarital Education
About ten states offer a reduced marriage license fee for couples who complete a state-approved premarital education course. The discount typically ranges from $20 to $75 off the standard license fee. Florida drops the fee by $25 for couples who take an approved course, and Texas offers savings of up to $60.
Some courses are available online for free through state-sponsored programs, while private providers may charge $30 to $100. In states with a large license discount, the math often works in your favor even if you pay for the course out of pocket. Check with your county clerk to see whether your state participates before assuming the discount applies.
Additional Costs to Expect
Beyond the license and ceremony, a few smaller expenses tend to catch couples off guard.
- Certified copies of the marriage certificate. You’ll need these for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal purposes. The first certified copy generally costs $5 to $20, with additional copies at the same rate or slightly less. Order at least two or three at the time of filing, since it’s cheaper than requesting them later.
- Witnesses. About 22 states require one or two adult witnesses at the ceremony. Most couples bring a friend or family member, but if you’re eloping solo, some officiants can arrange a witness for a small fee. The courthouse itself doesn’t typically provide witnesses for free.
- Document translation. If either partner’s birth certificate or identification documents are in a language other than English, you may need a certified translation. Professional certified translations of a single vital record run roughly $50 to $65.
- Parking. Urban courthouses may charge for parking, and rates vary wildly. Downtown courthouse garages in major cities can easily cost $15 to $30 for a couple of hours.
- Previous marriage documentation. If either partner was previously married, most jurisdictions require proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified copy of a divorce decree or death certificate typically costs $10 to $25 from the issuing court or vital records office.
None of these are enormous on their own, but they add up. Budgeting $50 to $100 beyond the license and ceremony fees covers most scenarios comfortably.
Name Changes After the Wedding
Changing your last name after marriage involves updating records with several agencies. The most important one is free: the Social Security Administration charges nothing to update your name, though you’ll need to visit a local office or submit the request with a certified copy of your marriage certificate as proof.1Social Security Administration. Change Name with Social Security
Updating your passport is also free if you apply within one year of both the passport’s issuance date and your legal name change. After that one-year window, you’ll pay the standard passport renewal fee.2U.S. Department of State. Name Change for U.S. Passport or Correct a Printing or Data Error A new driver’s license with your updated name typically costs $10 to $50 depending on your state’s DMV fee schedule. Between Social Security, your passport, and your license, plan for anywhere from $0 to $75 in name-change costs after the wedding.
Payment Tips
County clerk offices generally accept cash, credit and debit cards, and money orders. Some also take cashier’s checks. Personal checks are hit-or-miss; many offices no longer accept them, and those that do may restrict them to mail-in payments. If you pay by credit or debit card, expect a small processing surcharge of a few dollars, which is standard for government transactions.
Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods. A few offices are cash-only, and finding that out at the counter with only a debit card in your wallet is not how you want to start your wedding day. If you’re paying in cash, bring exact change, because not every clerk’s office can break large bills.