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.
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A courthouse wedding cost is built from two required pieces, the marriage license and, in many places, a separate ceremony fee, plus whatever optional extras you choose to add. It's one of the lowest-cost ways to get legally married, and the total stays low unless you layer a lot of additional spending on top.

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 that you control completely, which 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 legally marry, regardless of where the ceremony happens. This fee is set by your state or county and is required no matter what kind of wedding you have. Check your local county clerk's office for the current fee and any waiting period before the license becomes valid.

Courthouse ceremony fee. Many courthouses charge a separate fee to perform the ceremony itself, on top of the license. This fee, and whether the courthouse offers this service at all, varies by location. Some courthouses only issue licenses and don't perform ceremonies, in which case you'd 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's no venue rental fee, no catering minimum tied to a guest count, and no large vendor list to coordinate. The ceremony itself typically takes only a few minutes, which limits both the time commitment and the costs tied to a longer event, like an extended venue rental or an all-day photography package.

Because a courthouse ceremony doesn't require a large guest list, it also sidesteps most of the per-person costs, food, drink, favors and additional rentals, that 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, so check your specific courthouse's current policy rather than assuming it matches what you've read elsewhere.

How courthouse requirements vary by location

Marriage license rules, including the fee, any waiting period, ID requirements and whether both parties need to appear in person, are set at the state or county level, so they vary depending on where you apply. Some counties issue a license the same day you apply; others require a short waiting period before it's valid for a ceremony. Some states also have a separate waiting period after the ceremony before the marriage is officially recorded.

Because these details change by location and can be updated by the local government, check your specific county clerk's office website or call ahead rather than relying on what a friend experienced in a different state or county. This is especially important if you're planning to marry somewhere other than where you currently live, since requirements for non-residents can differ.

Making a courthouse wedding feel intentional

A courthouse ceremony doesn't have to feel rushed or purely transactional. Small choices can make it feel more personal: writing short vows even if the officiant provides standard language, choosing an outfit that feels meaningful even if it's simple, bringing a small bouquet, or asking a witness to take photos on their phone if professional photography isn't part of the plan.

Some courthouses have a designated ceremony room that's more decorated or formal than the standard counter service, sometimes for an added fee. Ask what options exist beyond the most basic license-and-signature service if you want something that feels a bit more ceremonial without the cost of a full wedding.

Elopement as an alternative to a courthouse ceremony

Some couples choose a small elopement, a legal ceremony at a scenic outdoor location, a small chapel, or another meaningful spot, instead of a courthouse. This route typically costs more than a courthouse wedding since it may involve an officiant fee, a permit for the location, and travel, but it usually costs less than a full wedding with a large guest list. If a courthouse setting doesn't appeal to you but a large wedding isn't the goal either, an elopement can be a middle option worth researching.

Combining a courthouse wedding with a later celebration

A common approach is to keep the legal ceremony small and inexpensive at the courthouse, then plan a separate celebration, a dinner, a backyard party, or a full reception, on a timeline and budget that works separately. This lets you handle the legal requirement quickly while still having time to plan a larger event without pressure.

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

Documents you typically need before applying

Most courthouses require government-issued photo ID for both people applying, and some require proof of age or, in certain cases, documentation if either person has been previously married, such as a divorce decree or death certificate for a former spouse. Requirements differ by state and county, so confirm the current document list with your specific courthouse before your appointment, rather than assuming the same documents apply everywhere.

If either of you has a name that differs from your ID due to a previous legal change, bring documentation of that change as well, since this can otherwise slow down or complicate the application process on the day.

Scheduling and appointment logistics

Some courthouses accept walk-ins for marriage ceremonies, while others require an appointment booked in advance, sometimes weeks ahead during busier periods like popular wedding months or around symbolic dates. Check whether your courthouse has particular days or times it performs ceremonies, since this isn't always available every business day, and plan your license application timeline around any waiting period between applying and the license becoming valid for use.

If you're traveling to a courthouse in a location other than where you live, double check that the courthouse serves non-residents for both the license and the ceremony, since a small number of jurisdictions have residency-specific rules.

Same-day versus planned courthouse ceremonies

Some couples choose a same-day courthouse wedding with little advance planning, showing up with witnesses arranged and getting married the same day they apply, where local rules allow it. Others plan a specific courthouse date weeks or months out, coordinating with out-of-town family who want to attend even a small ceremony. Either approach works within a courthouse wedding framework, and the cost difference between the two is usually minimal, mostly tied to whether you choose to add attire, flowers or a photographer versus keeping it entirely simple.

Name changes and paperwork after the ceremony

If either of you plans to change your name after the wedding, factor in the time and any fees tied to updating identification documents, like a driver's license, passport or social security card. Most of these updates carry a modest government fee rather than a large expense, but they do take time to process, so plan for this step in the weeks after your courthouse ceremony rather than assuming it happens automatically once you're married.

Keep copies of your marriage certificate on hand, since most name-change and account-update processes require a certified copy as proof. Ask your courthouse how to request additional certified copies beyond the first one, since you'll likely need more than one across different institutions.

If you're planning a small wedding beyond the courthouse

A courthouse ceremony is one option among several ways to keep a wedding budget low. If you 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 while still having a day that feels intentional. For how the larger categories in a traditional wedding typically compare, see average wedding cost.

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's confirmed or still an estimate, and note the source. A license fee quoted on a county website last year may have changed, so verify the current figure before your appointment rather than budgeting from an old number. If you're combining the courthouse ceremony with a later celebration, keep the two budgets separate in your planning documents so a change in one doesn't 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.

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