A courthouse wedding is the legal part of getting married, stripped down to paperwork and a short ceremony. Here is how the license, the appointment and the aftermath actually work.
The short list
- A marriage license gives you legal permission to wed; a certificate is the official record proving you did. You need the license first and the certified copies after.
- Most licenses expire between 30 days and a year after issuance, and waiting periods range from none to three days or more.
- Requirements differ by county: many offices want both applicants in person with photo ID, and some process applications by video appointment.
- Ceremony rules vary too. Wisconsin counts a legal ceremony as five people: the couple, the officiant and two witnesses.
- After the ceremony, order certified copies from vital records in the marriage state, and notify the Social Security Administration first when changing a name.
A courthouse wedding is the legal part of getting married, done efficiently, with room to make the moment your own. For some couples it is the whole plan; for others, step one before a bigger celebration. This guide walks through each stage, from the license to the certified copies afterward.
What a Courthouse Wedding Actually Is
A courthouse wedding is a civil ceremony performed by a government official, such as a judge, a court commissioner or a celebrant authorized by the court, usually in a courthouse or city hall. There is no religious component, the guest list is small, and the marriage is fully legal. Wisconsin counts the participants precisely: a legal ceremony there consists of five people, the couple, the officiant and two witnesses. For paperwork plus a little adventure, our guide to planning an elopement weekend near home shows how to stretch the day.
Start With the Marriage License
Two documents trip up first-timers, and they are not interchangeable. A license is the legal permission to marry; a certificate is the record that you did, and it comes after the wedding.
Both partners generally apply together, and details vary by state and county. Most licenses stop being valid somewhere between 30 days and a year after issuance, so timing matters. Waiting periods differ as well:
| Office | Waiting period | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County, Virginia | None | 60 days; the marriage must take place in Virginia |
| King County, Washington | Three days | 60 days after the waiting period |
| Dane County, Wisconsin | Three days, waivable for an extra $25 | 60 days |
| Tarrant County, Texas | 72 hours, with waivers | Marriage must take place within 90 days |
Texas also requires a 30-day wait after a divorce is final before remarriage, unless it is waived. None of these rules cross state lines, so ask the vital records office where you plan to wed about fees, waiting periods and expiration. If the ceremony is happening overseas, the requirements change again; our guide to getting married abroad covers that version.
Booking the Appointment and What to Bring
Some counties offer an online pre-application, then require both of you to finish in person; Dane County, Wisconsin processes applications virtually, by Zoom appointment only. In Washington, DC, officials suggest allowing at least four hours for an in-person visit once you count courthouse security lines.
Little trick: Book the license appointment well before your wedding date. A three-day waiting period or a full appointment calendar can push your timeline.
The checklist varies, but Fairfax County, Virginia, gives a good picture. Both applicants must appear together and be at least 18, bringing:
- A valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport or military ID
- Their Social Security number, though not necessarily the card itself
- The full names of each applicant’s parents, including middle and maiden names, as they appear on their birth certificates
- The license fee, $30 in Fairfax, with a 4 percent processing fee on credit cards
Spellings matter in some offices. In Tarrant County, Texas, names appear on the license exactly as they show on your government-issued photo ID, and the clerk cannot change them. Fees swing widely by location, from $16 in Texas for couples who complete an approved premarital education class to $169 in King County, Washington.
Who’s There and What Happens
Courthouse weddings are small, but small still needs a headcount. Before inviting anyone, ask how many witnesses, if any, the courthouse expects and whether it caps guests. In Dane County, the couple brings the license to the ceremony, and you must know the officiant’s name and the date, time and place of the wedding before you apply.
A civil ceremony is short, often just a few minutes, but it is yours. Talk through the details with staff or your officiant ahead of time. Depending on who performs it, you can exchange vows you wrote yourselves, follow a standard script, or leave vows out altogether. Ask about photography too; courthouses often have lovely midmorning to midafternoon light, and staff can tell you what is allowed inside.
After the Ceremony: Copies and Name Changes
The signed license goes back to the issuing office, and once it is recorded you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate. Vital records staff in the state where the wedding took place will explain the cost, what to provide, and whether copies come online, by mail or in person. Order several, since these copies are the proof you will use everywhere else.
If one or both of you is changing a name, your certificate should reflect the new name. Notify the Social Security Administration first, because other agencies learn of name changes through the SSA, then your state motor vehicle office, since an updated ID makes the rest easier. Report the change to the State Department for a passport update, and to your local post office. Travel with an old-name passport and a new-name ticket and you will meet problems; our guide to traveling after a name change explains the sequence.
Your first move: find the marriage license page on the county clerk’s website for the state and county where you plan to marry, and read it end to end. Five minutes there tells you the fee, the waiting period, the documents to bring and how to book the appointment.
Keep reading
- Getting Married Abroad: Legal Requirements and the Symbolic Ceremony Option: What marrying in another country involves.
- 6 Ways to Plan an Elopement Weekend Near Home: Turn the legal ceremony into a small trip.
- Traveling After a Name Change: Passports, Tickets and IDs: The order to update documents before your honeymoon flight.
Couples often ask
Do we both have to appear in person to get the marriage license?
In many places, yes. Fairfax County, Virginia, for example, requires both applicants to show up together and be at least 18, though some offices accept video conferences or applications from one party. Check with the office where you plan to apply.
How many witnesses does a courthouse wedding need?
It depends on the jurisdiction. Wisconsin, for example, counts a legal ceremony as five people: the couple, the officiant and two witnesses. Some places require none, so confirm the rule before inviting anyone.
Can we write our own vows for a courthouse ceremony?
Often you can. Depending on the officiant and the courthouse, couples may exchange vows they wrote themselves, follow a traditional script, or skip vows altogether. Ask the staff what is possible.
How long does a marriage license stay valid?
Most licenses stay valid for 30 days up to a year, depending on the state. Some offices set shorter windows, such as 60 days in Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, and a lost or expired license means applying for a new one.
Entry rules, fees, permits and tax figures change. Confirm details with the State Department, the park, the resort or a tax professional before you rely on them. This guide is general information.