TL;DR: A courthouse wedding day runs on a 2–4 hour window: arrive 30 minutes before your ceremony slot, bring your license plus one or two witnesses with ID, and plan the actual ceremony to last 5–15 minutes. Everything else — photos, lunch, a small toast — happens around that fixed appointment.

The direct answer

Courthouse weddings are mostly about logistics, not production. You're not coordinating vendors, you're coordinating a short list of legal requirements and one tight arrival window. If you miss your slot, most courthouses reschedule you to the next available day — not the next hour.

A clean courthouse day typically looks like this:

• 30–60 min before: arrive, park, clear security
• 15–30 min before: check in, present license and ID
• 5–15 min: the ceremony itself
• 15–30 min after: signing, copies, exit photos
• Rest of day: lunch, portraits, or a private dinner

Plan the day around the ceremony slot. Don't try to squeeze getting-ready, a first look, and travel into the hour before — courthouse security lines and parking are the two things that make couples late.

Before the day: the non-negotiables

Marriage license. Most U.S. counties require you to apply in person 1–90 days before the ceremony. Waiting periods range from 0 to 6 days depending on the state. Bring government ID and, in some counties, proof of divorce or a prior spouse's death certificate if applicable.

Witnesses. Most states require 1–2 witnesses over 18 with valid ID. Some courthouses provide a witness on request; most do not. Confirm with the clerk's office a week out.

Appointment vs. walk-in. Large metro courthouses (NYC, LA, Cook County) require appointments booked 2–8 weeks ahead. Smaller counties often accept walk-ins but still have limited ceremony hours — typically Monday–Friday, 9am–3pm.

Fees. Budget $35–$115 for the license and $25–$85 for the ceremony itself. Some courthouses only accept cash or money order.

The day-of timeline

For a 2:00pm ceremony slot:

• 11:30am — Get ready. Courthouse dress codes are minimal; most couples wear a short dress or suit.
• 12:30pm — Light lunch. You'll be too adrenaline-wired to eat after.
• 1:00pm — Leave for the courthouse. Assume 2x normal drive time.
• 1:25pm — Arrive, park, budget 15 minutes for security (no pocket knives, full-size water bottles, or flower shears).
• 1:40pm — Check in with the clerk. Confirm officiant, room, and witness.
• 2:00pm — Ceremony.
• 2:20pm — Signing, certified copy request (get 2–3 extra copies at $10–$20 each — you'll need them for name changes, insurance, and immigration).
• 2:45pm — Exit, portraits on the courthouse steps or nearby park.
• 4:00pm — Reservation for 6–20 people, or a private dinner for two.

What to bring

• Marriage license (signed where required, blank where it says "officiant only")
• Two forms of ID each
• Witness(es) with ID
• Cash for fees and copies
• Rings (assign one person to carry them)
• A small bouquet or boutonnière if you want photos
• A printed photo of your appointment confirmation
• Phone charger and a paper list of phone numbers in case your phone dies

What trips couples up

• Parking. Downtown courthouses rarely have dedicated lots. Scout garages in advance.
• Security screening. Anything that looks like a weapon — including long decorative hairpins or a cake knife — gets confiscated.
• Dress code surprises. A few courthouses don't allow shorts, tank tops, or hats. Witnesses dress up too.
• Certified copy delays. Some counties mail copies 1–4 weeks later. If you need one for a honeymoon passport or name change, request same-day copies.
• No-photo rooms. A handful of courthouse ceremony rooms ban photographers or phones. Ask first.

Build your courthouse day plan

A courthouse wedding is simple on paper and surprisingly easy to misorder in practice. WeddingBot builds a timed plan around your ceremony slot — check-in buffers, witness coordination, lunch reservations, portrait locations, and the after-party — so you're not improvising the morning of.

Related pages

• Wedding Day Operations Guide
• Wedding Day Operations Checklist
• Wedding Day Operations Timeline
• Common Wedding Day Mistakes
• Wedding Budget Guide

FAQ

How early should we arrive at the courthouse?

Plan to arrive 30–60 minutes before your ceremony slot. Security lines at large metro courthouses can take 15–20 minutes on their own, and you'll still need to find the right clerk's office and check in. Arriving late usually means rescheduling to the next available day.

Do we need witnesses, and can the courthouse provide them?

Most states require 1–2 witnesses over 18 with valid ID. A few big-city courthouses (like NYC) will provide a witness for a small fee, but most do not — call the clerk's office a week ahead to confirm. If you're eloping without guests, asking a friend, coworker, or rideshare driver is common.

How long does a courthouse ceremony actually last?

The ceremony itself is usually 5–15 minutes. The full appointment — check-in, ceremony, signing, and copy requests — typically takes 45–60 minutes. Build the rest of your day around that block rather than trying to stack events against it.

Can we have photos inside the courthouse?

Most courthouses allow photos in the ceremony room and hallways, but a handful prohibit professional photographers or any phones. Call ahead, and if photos are restricted inside, plan exit photos on the courthouse steps or at a nearby park or rooftop.

What should we do after the ceremony?

Common options: lunch with a small group (6–20 people), portraits at a scenic location, or a quiet dinner for two. Many couples also schedule a larger reception for a later date. Make any reservations 2–4 weeks ahead and confirm the morning of.

How many certified copies of the marriage certificate do we need?

Order 2–3 extra certified copies at the time of the ceremony — typically $10–$20 each. You'll need originals for name changes at the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport office, banks, and insurance providers. Ordering later by mail can take 4–8 weeks.

What happens if we're late to our appointment?

Most courthouses give a 10–15 minute grace window, after which you're rescheduled. Some charge a rebooking fee. If you know you'll be late, call the clerk's office immediately — occasionally they can slot you in later the same day.

Sources

• National Center for Health Statistics, Marriage License Requirements by State
• The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study
• County Clerk and Recorder offices (varies by jurisdiction)

Get started

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