How Much Does It Cost to Get Married at the Courthouse?
The complete guide to courthouse weddings, elopement costs, church ceremony fees, and how to make a small wedding unforgettable. Updated with 2026 state-by-state pricing.
Getting married does not have to cost tens of thousands of dollars. A courthouse wedding is the most affordable way to legally tie the knot, with total costs typically ranging from $50 to $500 depending on your state. For couples who want something more personal, elopements offer a romantic alternative at a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding.
This guide covers every option: courthouse ceremonies with state-by-state pricing, elopement costs for every style, church ceremony fees, and practical tips for making any small ceremony feel special. Whether you are eloping to save money, avoid the stress of a big wedding, or simply prefer an intimate moment, this resource gives you the real numbers you need. For couples planning a larger celebration later, the free tools at Pix Wedding can help with everything from budget allocation to planning checklists.
Courthouse Wedding Costs by State
Marriage license and ceremony fees for the most popular states
A courthouse wedding involves two costs: the marriage license fee and the ceremony fee. The license fee is set by state or county law and is non-negotiable. The ceremony fee covers the judge or officiant who performs the legal ceremony. Some courthouses include the ceremony in the license fee, while others charge separately.
California
License: $35 to $145Ceremony: $50 to $150Fee varies by county. LA County is $91, San Diego County runs closer to $129. No waiting period and no blood test required.
New York
License: $35 to $40Ceremony: $25 to $100NYC City Clerk fee is $35; towns and cities elsewhere in the state charge $40. NYC City Clerk ceremonies are popular and free on certain days. License valid for 60 days.
Texas
License: $82Ceremony: $50 to $150Waiting period waived if you complete a premarital education course. License valid for 90 days.
Florida
License: $93.50Ceremony: $30 to $100No waiting period for out-of-state couples. Premarital course reduces fee by $32.50.
Illinois
License: $60 to $75Ceremony: $10 to $50Cook County (Chicago) is $60. Some of the most affordable courthouse ceremonies in the country.
Georgia
License: $56 to $76Ceremony: $50 to $100No waiting period, no blood test. Some counties offer same-day ceremonies.
Colorado
License: $30Ceremony: Self-solemnizing allowedColorado allows self-solemnizing, meaning you can legally marry yourselves with no officiant. Popular for elopements.
Nevada
License: $102Ceremony: $50 to $100Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the US. No waiting period, no blood test, license available 24/7.
Virginia
License: $30 to $45Ceremony: $50 to $100One of the most affordable states for getting married. No waiting period.
Massachusetts
License: $25 to $50Ceremony: $50 to $150Fee is set by each city or town clerk, so it varies locally; Boston charges $50. Boston City Hall weddings are straightforward. License valid for 60 days after the waiting period.
Washington
License: $160 to $175Ceremony: $50 to $100A statewide $100 surcharge took effect in July 2025, pushing most county fees well above their old $60-$70 range. Beautiful courthouse options in Seattle. License valid for 60 days after the waiting period.
Pennsylvania
License: $50 to $90Ceremony: $50 to $100Self-uniting marriages (Quaker tradition) are legal, meaning no officiant required.
Pro tip: Call your local county clerk office directly for the most current fees. Prices change periodically, and neighboring counties in the same state can differ by $20-$40 for the identical service, Los Angeles County charges $91 for a license while a smaller California county nearby charges $35. Many offices now accept online applications and let you schedule a ceremony slot the same way you would book a restaurant reservation, which can save you a wasted trip.
What You Need for a Courthouse Wedding
Documents, requirements, and what to expect on the day
Valid government-issued photo ID
Both partners need a current driver license, state ID, or passport. If your name on the ID does not match your birth certificate, bring documentation of the name change.
Social Security numbers
Required in most states for the marriage license application. You do not always need the physical card, just the number.
Birth certificate or proof of age
Some states require this, especially if either partner is under 25. A certified copy is preferred over a photocopy.
Divorce decree or death certificate (if previously married)
If either partner was previously married, you must provide proof that the prior marriage was legally dissolved. Some states have a waiting period after a divorce before you can remarry.
Witnesses (1 to 2 adults)
Most states require 1 to 2 witnesses over the age of 18. Some courthouses can provide witnesses from their staff if you do not bring your own. Check in advance.
Marriage license fee (cash or card)
Most offices accept credit cards, but a few smaller county clerks are cash-only. Bring both forms of payment to be safe.
Appointment confirmation (if required)
Many courthouses require advance appointments for ceremonies, especially in busy urban areas. Walk-in ceremonies are available in some locations but can involve long waits.
Elopement Costs: 3 Levels
From simple to adventurous, with full cost breakdowns
Local Elopement
$500 to $2,000A local elopement means getting married in your hometown or nearby area with just the two of you (plus witnesses if required) and perhaps a photographer. This is the most affordable elopement option and still allows you to celebrate at a meaningful local spot: a favorite park, rooftop, or scenic overlook.
Cost Breakdown
Destination Elopement
$2,000 to $8,000A destination elopement takes you somewhere special: a beach in Hawaii, a vineyard in Napa, a cabin in the Smoky Mountains, or a lakeside retreat. The total cost depends heavily on travel distance, accommodation, and whether you hire a local photographer or bring one with you. Many popular elopement destinations have all-in-one packages that simplify planning.
Cost Breakdown
Adventure Elopement
$3,000 to $10,000Adventure elopements involve getting married in a dramatic outdoor location: a mountain summit, glacier, waterfall, desert canyon, or remote forest. These require a specialized adventure elopement photographer who can hike with you for 4 to 8 hours and capture the entire experience. The premium cost comes from the photographer expertise, permits for national parks or protected lands, and sometimes helicopter or boat access.
Cost Breakdown
Church and Religious Ceremony Costs
What to expect for different denominations
Church ceremony fees are separate from the marriage license and from any reception costs. Most religious institutions charge a facility fee that covers the building, cleaning, and sometimes an organist or coordinator. Being a member or parishioner of the congregation typically qualifies you for lower rates. Non-members should expect to pay 50 to 100 percent more.
Catholic Church
$200 to $2,000Typically requires being a registered parishioner and completing Pre-Cana marriage preparation (4 to 6 months). Fees cover the church, organist, and often a coordinator. Non-parishioners pay significantly more.
Protestant Church
$200 to $1,500Varies widely by denomination and congregation size. Small community churches may charge nothing or ask for a donation. Large churches with event staff charge $500 to $1,500.
Jewish Synagogue
$300 to $2,000Member rates are substantially lower. Non-member couples may need to pay for the rabbi officiant separately ($500 to $1,000) plus the venue fee.
Non-denominational Chapel
$500 to $3,000These operate more like traditional venues. Prices include the space and sometimes an officiant. Popular in destination wedding locations like Las Vegas and Gatlinburg.
Outdoor Church Ceremony
$100 to $500Some churches have outdoor ceremony spaces or gardens. These are typically less expensive than indoor ceremonies and do not require the same level of church-specific preparation.
Registry Office Weddings (UK and International)
Equivalent of courthouse weddings outside the US
In the United Kingdom and many other countries, the equivalent of a courthouse wedding is a registry office wedding. These civil ceremonies are performed by a registrar in a local council building. Costs in England and Wales are structured in tiers.
England and Wales
Notice of marriage: about 42 GBP per person (rising to 46.50 GBP after April 2026). Registry office ceremony: roughly 100 to 200 GBP depending on the council. Approved venue ceremony: 500 to 1,500+ GBP. Total for a simple registry office wedding: approximately 200 to 300 GBP for the couple.
Scotland
Marriage notice: roughly 45 to 100 GBP per person depending on the council. Registry office ceremony: 100 to 200 GBP for a weekday office ceremony, more for weekends and holidays. Scotland has its own legal system and does not require a waiting period for marriages.
Australia
Notice of Intended Marriage: free if lodged through a marriage celebrant (state registry marriage services may charge 175 to 205 AUD as part of a bundled package). Registry ceremony: 250 to 450 AUD. Marriage certificate: 50 to 70 AUD. Must give at least 1 month notice and no more than 18 months.
Courthouse vs Elopement vs Traditional Wedding
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide
How to Make a Small Ceremony Special
10 affordable ways to elevate a courthouse or elopement
Write personal vows
Even a 5-minute courthouse ceremony becomes deeply personal when you share your own words. Use the free AI Wedding Vow Generator on Pix Wedding for inspiration and structure. Keep it 1 to 2 minutes per person. Try it free.
Hire a photographer for 1 to 2 hours
A professional capturing your courthouse moment costs $200 to $800 and gives you images you will treasure forever. Many photographers offer mini-session packages specifically for elopements and courthouse ceremonies.
Dress up, even just a little
You do not need a full wedding gown or tuxedo. A white sundress, a sharp suit, or even matching outfits make the day feel intentional and photographable.
Exchange meaningful rings
The rings are the one element that stays with you daily after the wedding. Invest in rings you love, even if the ceremony is simple. Budget $500 to $2,000 for the pair.
Bring a small bouquet or boutonniere
A single handful of flowers ($30 to $100 from a local florist or grocery store) adds color and ceremony to your photos. Choose flowers with personal meaning.
Plan a special celebration dinner
Book your favorite restaurant or a place you have always wanted to try. This is your wedding dinner. Make a reservation, order the best thing on the menu, and toast with champagne.
Set up QR photo sharing for your intimate group
Even with just 5 to 10 guests, QR code photo sharing through Pix Wedding lets everyone contribute their candid photos to one private album. Every angle and moment captured, no coordination needed.
Read a poem or meaningful passage
If the officiant allows it, include a short reading that is meaningful to your relationship. It could be a passage from a favorite book, a song lyric, or a letter you wrote to each other.
Create a time capsule
Write letters to each other, seal them in an envelope, and agree to open them on your 5th or 10th anniversary. Include photos from the day, your vows, and a note about what you are feeling in the moment.
Announce it with a celebration later
Many couples who elope at a courthouse host a casual celebration party weeks or months later. This separates the legal ceremony from the social celebration and removes the pressure of combining both on one day.
5 Questions to Decide Between Courthouse, Elopement, and Traditional
Work through these in order, each answer narrows your best option
Most couples researching courthouse weddings are not actually choosing between "cheap" and "expensive." They are weighing three separate variables: total cost, guest involvement, and family expectations. Answering these five questions in order usually surfaces the right path faster than reading every cost table on this page.
None of these questions have a wrong answer. The couple who spends $250 at a courthouse and the couple who spends $35,000 at a ballroom are both making a rational choice if it matches what they actually want, not what a wedding blog or a relative expects them to want.
Still torn between two options after working through this list? Book the cheaper, lower-commitment option (usually courthouse) as your legal fallback date, then keep planning the bigger version alongside it. You can always cancel the fallback once the larger wedding is confirmed.
Related Wedding Planning Guides
Whichever path you choose, these guides cover the practical steps that come next, from paperwork to what to actually say during the ceremony.
First dance
You guys!!
Simple ceremony, unforgettable photos.
Courthouse weddings are intimate and personal. A shared album makes sure those moments - and every guest shot - are never scattered across phones.
From Mom
Scan to join the album
No app, no account
UPLOADING
Saving your moment
THE ALBUM
Emma & Jack
June 21, 2026
647 photos · 95 guests
SCAN TO TRY
pix.wedding/
your-wedding
Is a Courthouse Wedding Right for You?
Courthouse weddings are ideal for couples who value simplicity, want to save money for other priorities (a house down payment, travel, or a future celebration party), or prefer an intimate moment without the pressure of a large audience. There is no shame in choosing a courthouse ceremony. Interest in city hall and courthouse weddings has grown sharply in recent years, especially among younger couples, and county clerk offices in cities like Chicago, Las Vegas, and New York report thousands of courthouse ceremonies performed every year.
For example, imagine a couple in Cook County, Illinois who pays $60 for their marriage license, $10 for the ceremony fee, and spends $180 on a photographer for 90 minutes outside the courthouse steps. Total legal wedding cost: $250. Compared to the roughly $30,000 a traditional venue-based wedding can run, that leaves plenty left over toward a down payment on a first apartment, plus a backyard party with 40 guests a few weeks later for about $2,200. If you feel pressure to have a big wedding from family or friends but your heart says courthouse, this two-step approach, quiet legal ceremony now, casual celebration later, gives you both outcomes without the $30,000+ price tag. Use the Wedding Budget Allocator on Pix Wedding to plan how much to set aside for a post-elopement party.
- •Courthouse weddings cost $50 to $500 total in most states
- •Elopements offer more personalization for $500 to $10,000
- •Colorado and Pennsylvania allow self-solemnizing (no officiant required)
- •Many couples follow up a courthouse ceremony with a celebration party later
- •Even a small ceremony deserves great photos, so hire a photographer or set up QR sharing
Courthouse Wedding Day Timeline
A typical courthouse wedding day takes about 2 to 4 hours from start to finish. Arrive at the clerk office 30 to 45 minutes before your appointment to complete paperwork. The ceremony itself usually lasts 5 to 15 minutes. Afterward, take photos outside the courthouse (many have beautiful architecture) and head to a celebration lunch or dinner.
If you have a waiting period in your state, you will need to visit the clerk office twice: once to apply for the license and once for the ceremony after the waiting period ends. Plan accordingly and confirm office hours, as some only perform ceremonies on certain days or at certain times.
Explore more free wedding tools
Everything you need to make your wedding day stress-free and unforgettable.
Courthouse Wedding Cost
Real fees by county and what to expect.
Photo Sharing QR
The best way to collect guest photos.
Wedding Checklist
Month-by-month planning checklist.
AI Vow Generator
Write "banger" vows in seconds.
AI Speech Pro
Banger toasts for Best Man & more.
QR Sticker Designer
Design custom print-ready stickers.
Seating Chart Planner
Plan your reception seating visually.
Guest List Manager
Track RSVPs and dietary needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our free tools and how they help your wedding day.
A courthouse wedding typically costs $50 to $500 total. This includes the marriage license ($20 to $100 depending on your state) and the ceremony fee ($25 to $300). Some states like Colorado allow self-solemnizing, which means you only pay for the marriage license and can legally marry yourselves. The total cost varies by county, so call your local clerk office for exact pricing.
Most states require 1 to 2 witnesses who are at least 18 years old. Some courthouse offices can provide witnesses from their staff if you do not bring your own. Colorado and a few other states do not require witnesses for self-solemnizing marriages. Check your specific state and county requirements before your ceremony date.
Elopement costs range from $500 to $10,000 depending on the style. A local elopement with just an officiant and photographer costs $500 to $2,000. A destination elopement with travel and accommodation runs $2,000 to $8,000. An adventure elopement in a remote outdoor location with a specialized photographer costs $3,000 to $10,000. The largest expense is typically the photographer.
Church ceremony fees range from $200 to $2,000 depending on the denomination, location, and whether you are a member of the congregation. Catholic churches typically charge $200 to $2,000 and require Pre-Cana preparation. Protestant churches range from free (with a donation) to $1,500. Non-denominational chapels charge $500 to $3,000. These fees are separate from the marriage license and any reception costs.
Absolutely. Many couples have a courthouse ceremony followed by a dinner at a nice restaurant, a backyard party, or a full reception at a later date. This approach separates the legal ceremony from the celebration, giving you flexibility on timing and budget. Some couples elope at the courthouse and host a celebration party weeks or even months later.
The ceremony itself is typically 5 to 15 minutes. However, plan for 2 to 4 hours total including arrival, paperwork, waiting time, the ceremony, signing documents, and photos afterward. If you need to apply for your license on the same visit (and your state allows it), add an additional 30 to 60 minutes for the application process.
Yes, most courthouses allow a small number of guests to attend the ceremony itself, usually anywhere from 2 to 10 people depending on the size of the ceremony room. Some busier metro courthouses limit attendance more strictly, so call ahead and ask directly, especially if you are hoping to bring parents or a small group of close friends.