Courthouse Wedding Checklist: How to Plan a Civil Ceremony

By Altar & Agenda · Updated October 18, 2026

A courthouse wedding is the simplest legal way to get married: a short civil ceremony performed by a judge, clerk or deputy, often in under 15 minutes, for a fee that's usually less than a dinner out. It can be the whole wedding, or the legal part before a bigger celebration later.

Simple doesn't mean no planning, though. Clerk's offices run on appointments, paperwork and rules about witnesses and ID, and they differ from county to county. This courthouse wedding checklist covers everything in order, with real examples from two of the biggest US marriage bureaus.

Step 1: Find the right office and read its rules

In the US, marriage is handled by the county (or city) clerk where you marry, not where you live. Search for "[your county] marriage license" and find the official government page, then write down the answers to these questions:

• Do you apply in person, online, or by video appointment?
• What ID does each of you need? Do you need a birth certificate or divorce decree?
• What does the license cost, and how can you pay?
• Is there a waiting period between getting the license and the ceremony?
• How long is the license valid for?
• Does the office perform ceremonies? How do you book, what does it cost, and how many guests are allowed?
• How many witnesses do you need, and how old must they be?

Here's how two large offices answer those questions, as published on their official sites:

Fees and rules change (Los Angeles County proposed fee increases in 2025 that were put on hold), so always check the official page close to your date.

Step 2: Choose a date (and book early)

Courthouse ceremonies are popular on meaningful dates (Valentine's Day, repeating-number dates like 10/10) and Fridays. Appointment slots can fill weeks ahead.

• Pick two or three possible dates.
• Work backwards from the waiting period. In New York, for example, you need the license at least 24 hours before the ceremony, and within 60 days of it.
• Book the license appointment and ceremony appointment as soon as the office allows. Some offices let you book both together.

Step 3: Get the marriage license

On the day of your license appointment:

• Both of you attend (in person or by video, if allowed).
• Bring the exact ID listed on the office's website, plus any documents about previous marriages (for example, the date and place of a divorce).
• Bring the right payment method. Many offices take cards; some take only money orders.
• Check every detail on the license before you leave. A misspelled name is much easier to fix at the window than after the ceremony.

Step 4: Line up your witness(es)

Ask your witness early, give them the date, time and address, and tell them exactly what ID to bring. In NYC, witnesses must bring the same type of photo ID used for the license. If you don't have a witness, ask the office whether it can provide one (Los Angeles County charges $20).

Step 5: Decide who's coming

Many couples marry with just a witness or two. If you'd like guests, check the room limits first; some offices cap attendees at four to six people. If more people want to be there, consider a short ceremony at the courthouse followed by a meal, or a separate party later.

Step 6: Plan photos

Courthouse ceremonies are fast, so photos need a plan:

• Hire a photographer for one or two hours. Many photographers offer courthouse or elopement packages that are much cheaper than full-day coverage. Ask whether they know the building's rules on photography.
• Plan a portrait location nearby: courthouse steps, a park, a favorite street or café.
• Or ask a friend to take photos on a good phone, and agree on a short shot list in advance.

Step 7: Decide what to wear

There's no dress code for a civil ceremony beyond whatever the courthouse requires of visitors. Wear what feels like you: a wedding dress, a suit, a jumpsuit, or your favorite outfit. Comfortable shoes help, because courthouses often involve security lines and long corridors.

Step 8: Write a few words (optional)

Civil ceremonies usually follow a short standard script, and many offices don't allow personal vows during the official ceremony. If you'd like to say something personal, do it afterwards: on the steps, at dinner or in private. Our guide to writing wedding vows has a simple structure for one-minute vows, and our wedding vow examples can help you get started.

Step 9: Pack your courthouse bag

Keep everything in one bag and give it to one person:

• Both IDs and any required documents
• The marriage license
• Ceremony appointment confirmation
• Payment method for the ceremony fee
• Rings
• Your witness's details (and a reminder to bring their ID)
• Printed vows or notes, if you're saying something afterwards
• Tissues, lip balm, a small mirror, safety pins
• Phone charger or power bank

Arrive early. Many offices ask you to arrive within a set window, and security lines take time.

Step 10: After the ceremony

• Find out how your marriage is registered. In NYC, if the ceremony is at the City Clerk's office, you get your Certificate of Marriage Registration that day; if a private officiant marries you, they must return the license within five business days and the certificate arrives by mail. Other offices work differently, so ask.
• Order certified copies of your marriage certificate if you'll be changing your name or updating insurance or benefits.
• Celebrate: a dinner reservation, a picnic, drinks with friends, or a party weeks later.
• Send an announcement to people who weren't there.

How much does a courthouse wedding cost?

The legal minimum is just the license and ceremony fee: $60 in New York City ($35 license plus $25 ceremony) and $126 in Los Angeles County for a public license and civil ceremony ($91 plus $35), at the fees published as of October 2026. Most couples add a few extras:

By comparison, The Knot's 2026 Real Weddings Study put the average US wedding at $34,200 in 2025. A courthouse wedding plus a relaxed party later is one of the most effective ways to cut wedding costs without cutting the celebration.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need witnesses for a courthouse wedding?

Often yes, but it varies. New York requires at least one witness aged 18 or older at City Clerk ceremonies. In Los Angeles County, a public license ceremony needs one witness (the county can supply one for a fee), while a confidential license needs none. Check your county's rules.

Can we get married at the courthouse the same day we get the license?

Sometimes. It depends on whether your location has a waiting period. New York requires 24 hours unless a judge grants a waiver. Some offices, like Los Angeles County's express ceremony appointments, combine the license and ceremony in one visit.

Can we bring guests to a courthouse wedding?

Usually a few. NYC allows up to four attendees including witnesses, and other offices set limits based on room size. Call ahead if you'd like more.

Can we have a bigger wedding later?

Yes. Many couples marry legally at the courthouse and hold a celebration or symbolic ceremony later, sometimes months later. It's a popular way to make a destination wedding simpler, too.

Do we need to book in advance?

Usually. Most big-city offices are appointment-only now, and popular dates fill quickly. Book as soon as you know your date.

Want it organized for you?

Our Elopement & Micro-Wedding Planner for Excel and Google Sheets is built for small weddings: a dated checklist, marriage license and permit questions, a small-wedding budget, a micro guest list and a day-of timeline. If you're planning a celebration afterwards, our elopement planning checklist covers the rest. For a bigger wedding later, grab the free 12-month wedding planning checklist.

Sources

• NYC311, Marriage License and Marriage Ceremony; Office of the City Clerk, attendee announcement.
• New York State Department of Health, Information on Getting Married in New York State.
• Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Fees and Civil Ceremony Information; NBC Los Angeles, LA County delays marriage license fee increase.
• The Knot, The Average Wedding Cost (2026 Real Weddings Study).

Disclosure: Altar & Agenda makes the template linked above. This is general information, not legal advice. Marriage rules and fees vary by location and change over time, so confirm with the issuing office.

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