A courthouse wedding checklist has about 12 things on it, not 200 — marriage license, officiant confirmation, two witnesses, ID, payment, rings, attire, photographer (optional), reservation slot, post-ceremony plan, name-change paperwork, and a backup weather plan for the steps outside. Most couples can complete the full list in 2–4 weeks, and total spend typically lands between $100 and $1,500 depending on attire, photography, and whether you host a meal after.
The direct answer: what you actually need
A courthouse wedding strips planning down to legal requirements plus a few personal choices. Here's the full list, in the order you'll tackle it:
- Confirm your county's requirements (waiting period, ID, fees, witness rules)
- Apply for your marriage license
- Book your ceremony slot at the courthouse
- Line up two witnesses (most states require them; some require one)
- Decide on rings (optional but common)
- Pick your outfits
- Hire a photographer or assign a phone-photo person
- Plan the post-ceremony meal or gathering
- Pack your document folder
- Confirm the day-of logistics (parking, security line, dress code)
- Get married
- Handle name changes and certified copies after the fact
That's it. If anyone tells you a courthouse wedding needs a timeline longer than this, they're selling you something.
4 weeks out: paperwork and booking
Check your county clerk's website first. Every rule that matters — waiting period, license validity window, witness count, accepted ID, fee, whether you can book online — is county-specific. Don't rely on a friend's experience from a different state.
Typical ranges you'll see: - Marriage license fee: $35–$115 - Waiting period: 0–6 days after license issuance - License validity: 30–90 days (you must marry within this window) - Witness requirement: 1–2 adults with ID - Ceremony fee: $25–$100 at the courthouse itself
Book the ceremony slot as soon as your license timing is confirmed. Popular days — Fridays, Valentine's Day, 12/12, any "pretty date" — fill up weeks ahead in major counties.
2 weeks out: people and outfits
Confirm your witnesses in writing. Text them the date, time, address, which entrance, and what ID to bring. If you don't have witnesses, some courthouses provide staff witnesses for a small fee, and some cities have witness-for-hire services ($40–$100).
Outfits: there's no rule. Common choices are a short white or cream dress, a suit without a tie, or a nice dress and blazer. Courthouses get cold — bring a layer. Skip the long train; security lines and metal detectors aren't friendly to them.
Photography: you have three tiers. - Phone photos from a friend: free - Mini session with a local photographer: $250–$600 for 30–60 minutes - Half-day coverage including a post-ceremony portrait walk: $800–$1,800
If you want actual photos of the ceremony, hire someone. Courthouse lighting is unforgiving and the ceremony itself is often under 10 minutes.
1 week out: the document folder
Put all of this in one folder and bring it with you:
- Marriage license (the physical copy — most courthouses will not accept digital)
- Government-issued photo ID for both parties
- Witness IDs (confirm they're bringing them)
- Cash or card for any day-of fees
- Rings in a small box or pouch
- Tissues (you'll want them)
Confirm the ceremony time, the exact room or department, the building address (courthouses often have multiple buildings), and parking.
Day of and after
Arrive 30 minutes early. Security screening can take 15–20 minutes in large urban courthouses. After the ceremony, you'll typically get a signed copy on the spot and order certified copies ($5–$25 each) — order 3 to 5, since you'll need originals for name changes, insurance, and immigration if applicable.
Within 30 days, start name-change paperwork if you're changing: Social Security card first, then driver's license, then passport, then bank and employer.
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FAQ
How far in advance should I plan a courthouse wedding?
Two to four weeks is enough for most couples. The only hard constraints are your county's marriage license waiting period (0–6 days) and license validity window (30–90 days), plus ceremony slot availability. If you want a specific date at a busy urban courthouse, book 4–8 weeks out.
Do I need witnesses for a courthouse wedding?
Most U.S. states require one or two adult witnesses with valid photo ID. A handful of states (including Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin under certain conditions) allow self-uniting marriages without witnesses. Check your county clerk's website for the exact requirement, because it varies by state, not just by courthouse.
How much does a courthouse wedding cost?
Expect $100 to $1,500 total. The legal minimum is the marriage license ($35–$115) plus the ceremony fee ($25–$100). Everything above that — photographer, rings, outfits, a post-ceremony dinner — is optional. Couples who add a 30-minute photographer and a nice restaurant meal for 6 typically land around $800–$1,200.
Can we have guests at a courthouse wedding?
Usually yes, but most courthouses cap the guest count at 6–20 people depending on room size, and some limit it to witnesses only. Call ahead to confirm. If you want more guests, some couples do the legal ceremony at the courthouse and a larger celebration elsewhere that day or on a later date.
What should I wear to a courthouse wedding?
Anything you feel great in that passes through security without issues. Popular choices are a knee-length or tea-length white dress, a suit, or a nice dress and blazer combination. Avoid long trains, oversized headpieces, or anything with metal embellishments that will slow down the security line.
Do we need a photographer for a courthouse wedding?
Not required, but strongly recommended if you can afford $250–$600. Courthouse ceremonies are often under 10 minutes and happen in rooms with harsh lighting, so phone photos from a nervous friend rarely come out well. A short mini-session with a local photographer captures the ceremony plus 20–30 minutes of portraits outside.
What documents do I need on the wedding day?
Bring the physical marriage license, both parties' government-issued photo IDs, your witnesses' photo IDs, and a credit card or cash for any remaining fees. Most courthouses will not accept a digital copy of the license. Keep everything in one folder and assign one person to carry it.
Sources
- County Clerk offices (marriage license fees and requirements vary by U.S. county)
- The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study (wedding cost benchmarks)
- National Center for Health Statistics (marriage license data)
- WeddingWire Newlywed Report (photography cost ranges)
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