Wedding Budget

Courthouse Wedding Cost: What's Actually Included

See what drives courthouse wedding cost, from the marriage license and ceremony fee to optional attire and a small celebration after.

Worn stone courthouse steps with a small simple bouquet resting on one step.
Contents14

A courthouse wedding cost is built from two required pieces. The first is the marriage license. The second is a separate ceremony fee in many places. You then add whatever optional extras you choose. It is one of the lowest-cost ways to get legally married. The total stays low unless you layer on a lot of extra spending.

The short answer: the marriage license fee and, often, a courthouse ceremony fee are the only required costs. Attire, rings, photography and any celebration afterward are optional add-ons. You control every one of them. That is why courthouse wedding cost can stay very low or grow, depending on your choices.

The two required costs

Marriage license fee. Every couple needs a marriage license to marry legally. That holds no matter where the ceremony happens. Your state or county sets the fee. Check your local county clerk's office for the current fee and any waiting period.

Courthouse ceremony fee. Many courthouses charge a separate fee to perform the ceremony. That fee sits on top of the license. The fee varies by location. Some courthouses only issue licenses.

They do not perform ceremonies. In that case you would need an officiant elsewhere. Call ahead or check your courthouse's website for current availability and pricing.

What's optional, and where the cost can grow

  • Attire. Many people wear something simple they already own, though some choose to buy a new outfit for the occasion. This is fully within your control and can range from nothing extra to a significant purchase.
  • Rings. If you don't already have rings, this becomes its own budget line, separate from the ceremony itself.
  • Photography. Some courthouses allow a photographer to document the ceremony; others restrict access. If you want photos, check the courthouse's policy first, then decide between a professional photographer, a friend with a good camera, or phone photos.
  • Flowers. A small bouquet or boutonniere is optional and can be bought same-day from a grocery store or florist, or skipped entirely.
  • Witnesses. Check whether your courthouse requires you to bring your own witnesses or can provide one. If you need to bring guests specifically as witnesses, there's no added cost beyond their own travel.
  • A celebration afterward. Many couples follow the courthouse ceremony with a meal out, a backyard gathering, or a larger party at a later date. This is a completely separate cost from the ceremony and can be planned on whatever timeline and budget fits.

Why courthouse weddings stay low cost

There is no venue rental fee. Catering minimums are not tied to a guest count. No large vendor list needs coordinating.

The ceremony itself typically takes only a few minutes. That limits both the time commitment and the costs tied to a longer event. Those costs include an extended venue rental or an all-day photography package.

A courthouse ceremony does not require a large guest list. That sidesteps most of the per-person costs. Those costs include food, drink, favors and extra rentals. They drive up the total for a traditional wedding.

Questions to ask before your appointment

  • Does this courthouse perform ceremonies, or only issue licenses?
  • What is the current license fee, and is there a waiting period before it's valid?
  • Is a separate ceremony fee charged, and what does it include?
  • How many witnesses are required, and can the courthouse provide one?
  • Is photography allowed during the ceremony?
  • Are walk-in ceremonies available, or is an appointment required?
  • What forms of payment does the courthouse accept?

Requirements and fees vary by state and county. Check your specific courthouse's current policy. Do not assume it matches what you have read elsewhere.

How courthouse requirements vary by location

Marriage license rules are set at the state or county level. They cover the fee and any waiting period. They also cover ID requirements.

Some rules decide whether both parties must appear in person. This is why the rules vary depending on where you apply. Some counties issue a license the same day you apply.

Others require a short wait before it is valid for a ceremony. A few states add a waiting period after the ceremony. The marriage is then officially recorded.

These details change by location. The local government can update them. Check your specific county clerk's office website or call ahead.

Do not rely on what a friend experienced in another state or county. This matters most if you plan to marry away from home. Requirements for non-residents can differ.

Making a courthouse wedding feel intentional

A courthouse ceremony does not have to feel rushed or purely transactional. Small choices can make it feel more personal. You can write short vows even if the officiant provides standard language. You can choose an outfit that feels meaningful, even a simple one.

Bring a small bouquet if you like. Ask a witness to take photos on their phone. That works if professional photography is not part of the plan.

Some courthouses have a designated ceremony room. It is more decorated or formal than the standard counter service. There may be an added fee. Ask what options exist beyond the most basic license-and-signature service. That suits a couple who wants a more ceremonial feel without a full wedding budget.

Elopement as an alternative to a courthouse ceremony

Some couples choose a small elopement instead of a courthouse. It can be a legal ceremony at a scenic outdoor location. A small chapel or another meaningful spot also works. This route typically costs more than a courthouse wedding.

It may involve an officiant fee, a permit for the location, and travel. It usually costs less than a full wedding with a large guest list. If a courthouse setting does not appeal to you, an elopement can be a middle option. It is worth researching if a large wedding is not the goal either.

Combining a courthouse wedding with a later celebration

A common approach keeps the legal ceremony small. The courthouse part stays inexpensive. You then plan a separate celebration on its own timeline and budget.

That celebration might be a dinner, a backyard party, or a full reception. This handles the legal requirement quickly. It still leaves time to plan a larger event without pressure.

If you go this route, budget for two distinct categories. Keep the courthouse portion and the celebration separate. The wedding budget planner can help you track both pieces. It can also track any deposits for the later event.

Documents you typically need before applying

Most courthouses require government-issued photo ID for both people applying. Some also require proof of age. Others ask for extra documents if either person has been married before. That might be a divorce decree or a death certificate for a former spouse.

Requirements differ by state and county. Confirm the current document list with your specific courthouse before your appointment. Do not assume the same documents apply everywhere.

Your name may differ from your ID after a previous legal change. Bring documentation of that change as well. Without it, the application can slow down or get complicated on the day.

Scheduling and appointment logistics

Some courthouses accept walk-ins for marriage ceremonies. Others require an appointment booked in advance. That can mean weeks ahead in busy periods. Popular wedding months and symbolic dates fill up first.

Check whether your courthouse has set days or times for ceremonies. This is not always available every business day. Plan your license application around any waiting period. The license must be valid before use.

You may travel to a courthouse away from home. Double check that it serves non-residents. Confirm this for both the license and the ceremony. A small number of jurisdictions have residency-specific rules.

Same-day versus planned courthouse ceremonies

Some couples choose a same-day courthouse wedding. They plan very little in advance. They arrive with witnesses arranged. They marry the same day they apply, where local rules allow it.

Others plan a specific courthouse date weeks or months out. They coordinate with out-of-town family who want to attend. Either approach works within a courthouse wedding framework.

The cost difference is usually minimal. It mostly depends on extras like attire, flowers or a photographer. Skip those and you keep it simple.

Name changes and paperwork after the ceremony

A name change after the wedding takes time. It also carries fees for updating identification documents. Those documents include a driver's license, passport or social security card. Most updates carry a modest government fee, not a large one.

They do take time to process. Plan for this step in the weeks after your ceremony. Do not assume it happens automatically once you are married.

Keep copies of your marriage certificate on hand. Most name-change and account-update processes require a certified copy as proof. Ask your courthouse how to request extra certified copies. You will likely need more than one across different institutions.

If you're planning a small wedding beyond the courthouse

A courthouse ceremony is one way to keep a wedding budget low. Other options exist too. You may want more of a ceremony experience without a large guest list or full reception.

See the budget wedding guide for other ways couples keep costs down. It also covers how to have a day that feels intentional. See average wedding cost to compare the larger categories in a traditional wedding.

Budgeting for the courthouse route inside a larger plan

Even a low-cost courthouse ceremony benefits from the same tracking approach as a full wedding. Name each expected cost. Mark whether it is confirmed or still an estimate. Note the source of each figure. A license fee quoted on a county website last year may have changed.

Verify the current figure before your appointment. Do not budget from an old number. If you combine the ceremony with a later celebration, keep the two budgets apart. A change in one should not get confused with the other.

Questions people also ask

What does a courthouse wedding cost usually include?

The core cost is the marriage license fee and, in many places, a separate ceremony or officiant fee charged by the courthouse. Everything past that, attire, rings, photography and a celebration afterward, is optional and entirely up to you.

Is a courthouse wedding the cheapest way to get married?

It's usually one of the cheapest options, since there's no venue rental, no catering minimum and no large guest list to plan around. The final cost still depends on how much you choose to add on top of the license and ceremony fee.

Do I need witnesses for a courthouse wedding?

Many courthouses require at least one witness, and some require two. Check your specific courthouse's requirements before your appointment, since rules vary by state and county and some courthouses can provide a witness for a small fee if you don't bring your own.

Can I still have a reception after a courthouse wedding?

Yes. Many couples follow a courthouse ceremony with a small dinner, a backyard gathering or a larger party later. The courthouse ceremony itself is a separate, much smaller cost from anything you plan afterward.

The free Wedding Planning Checklist Get it