How to Get Married in Court: 15 Steps

Before You Start: Court Wedding Basics (License vs. Certificate)

Think of the paperwork in two phases:

• Marriage license: Permission to marry. You apply for it before the ceremony.
  It may have a waiting period before it’s usable, and it usually expires if you don’t use it in time.
• Marriage certificate: Proof you got married. After the ceremony, the signed license is filed and recorded.
  Then you can order certified copies for name changes, insurance, benefits, and other official life admin.

The 15 Steps to Get Married in Court

Step 1: Choose your courthouse (or city hall) location

Start by picking where you want to say “I do.” Many couples choose the courthouse closest to home, but you can also pick
a place that feels special (downtown, near a park, the county where you met, etc.). Just remember: the licensing office
and the ceremony location might be the same buildingor two totally different offices.

Step 2: Confirm where you must apply for the marriage license

In many states, marriage licenses are issued by a county clerk, recorder, auditor, or similar local office.
Some states let you apply in any county; others prefer (or require) applying in the county where the ceremony will occur.
Your clerk’s website usually spells this out in plain language.

Step 3: Check the “both of you must appear” rule

Most counties require both partners to show up together to apply. If you’re long-distance, traveling, or juggling work,
verify whether both parties must be present and whether appointments are requiredbefore you book flights or take time off.

Step 4: Gather your ID (and make sure it matches your legal name)

Clerks typically want a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, etc.).
If your ID name doesn’t match your current legal name (for example, you changed it years ago but never updated your ID),
fix that firstor bring whatever your clerk accepts to bridge the gap.

Step 5: Bring documents for special situations (if they apply)

Not everyone needs extra paperwork, but some people do. Common examples include:

• Prior marriages: You may need divorce decrees or death certificates, depending on local rules.
• Under 18: Many states require parental/guardian consent and/or court approval (and some prohibit marriage under a certain age).
• Immigration status questions: Requirements varyask your local clerk what they accept.

When in doubt, call the clerk. It’s much faster than showing up with “vibes” and a folder full of the wrong papers.

Step 6: Learn your waiting period and plan around it

Some places let you marry the same day you get the license. Others have a mandatory waiting period (commonly 24–72 hours,
and sometimes longer). A few jurisdictions allow a waiver in limited circumstances.

Example: Texas generally has a 72-hour waiting period, but it can be waived in certain situations
(like approved premarital education or active-duty military), while Washington has a three-day waiting period and many
counties note it cannot be waived. If you’re traveling for a courthouse wedding, this step is the difference between
“married by lunch” and “romantic hotel stay with paperwork.”

Step 7: Check the license expiration window

Marriage licenses often expire if you don’t use them within a set timeframe (for example, 30–90 days in some places).
Confirm your window and put the expiration date in your calendar with a reminder.

Step 8: Budget for fees (and ask about payment methods)

Expect a license fee, and sometimes a separate ceremony fee. Some offices take cards; others prefer cash, money orders,
or specific payment types. Also ask about discounts or waivers (for example, some areas discount fees if you complete an
approved premarital course).

Step 9: Decide whether you want a confidential marriage (where available)

In a few states, there are options that affect privacy. For example, some places offer a “confidential” marriage record
that limits who can obtain certified copies. If privacy matters (or you’re just not into being searchable),
ask the clerk what options exist and what they mean for future certificate requests.

Step 10: Schedule your courthouse ceremony date and time

Many courthouses require an appointment for civil ceremonies, and prime time slots can book out fast (hello, Valentine’s Day
and lucky-number dates). Ask:

• How far in advance you can schedule
• How long ceremonies typically last
• How many guests are allowed
• Whether you can personalize vows or exchange rings

Step 11: Confirm the officiantand what “court wedding” means where you are

A courthouse ceremony is usually performed by a judge, magistrate, justice of the peace, or a designated civil officiant
(sometimes a deputy commissioner). In some areas, the courthouse provides the officiant; in others, you bring your own
authorized officiant and simply use the courthouse venue.

Pro tip: if you’re bringing your own officiant, verify any local registration rules (some cities require officiants to register
before performing ceremonies there).

Step 12: Figure out whether you need witnesses (and how many)

Witness rules vary a lot. Some jurisdictions require one or two witnesses who are a certain age; others require none.
Don’t assume you can grab a friendly stranger in the hallwaysome buildings have security rules that limit loitering.

If you don’t have witnesses lined up, ask the clerk if staff can serve as witnesses or if there are other options.

Step 13: Plan the day-of logistics (security, parking, attire, timing)

Courthouses run like courthouses: metal detectors, limited parking, and a strict relationship with time. Build in buffer:

• Arrive 20–45 minutes early (more if it’s a busy date)
• Pack light for security screening
• Bring your IDs and license paperwork in a folder
• Choose outfits that feel like “you,” but won’t fight with security lines (think: minimal metal)

Attire can be anything from jeans to full wedding wear. The only rule is: wear what makes you feel like the main characters.

Step 14: Do the ceremony and sign everything carefully

The ceremony itself is often shortsometimes 10–15 minutesand can be sweet, simple, and surprisingly emotional.
After you say your vows (or the standard legal wording), you’ll sign the marriage license along with the officiant
and any required witnesses.

Slow down here. This is where mistakes happen: missed signatures, wrong dates, or unreadable handwriting.
Use your normal legal signature. If the form says “print,” print. If it says “ink color,” follow it.

Step 15: Make sure the license gets filedand order certified copies

After the ceremony, the signed license must be returned and recorded (sometimes the officiant does this; sometimes you do).
Once it’s recorded, order certified copies of the marriage certificate. You’ll likely need them for:

• Name change paperwork (if you’re changing your name)
• Insurance and benefits updates
• Bank accounts, titles, and other legal records
• Immigration-related filings (if applicable)

Many states and counties allow requests online, by mail, or in person. If you’re ordering from out of state later,
start with the vital records office where the marriage occurred.

Extra Tips That Save Real Couples Real Headaches

Double-check office hours and holiday closures

Some clerk offices close earlier than you’d expect, and many don’t perform ceremonies every weekday. If you’re aiming for
a Friday afternoon wedding, confirm it’s not “license applications only” after 2 p.m.

Bring a “paperwork buddy” mindset

One person holds the folder, the other holds the IDs, and nobody sets anything down on a counter and walks away.
This is romance in its purest form: teamwork and document control.

Consider the name-change timeline

If you plan to change your name, you’ll generally use a certified marriage certificate to update records.
Many people start with Social Security, then move to DMV, passport, banks, and employers.
If you have upcoming travel, timing matterspassport name changes can take time.

Privacy note: public records and certified copy rules

In some places, marriage records are public; in others, there are confidential options with restricted access to certified copies.
If safety or privacy is a concern, ask about your choices before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get married the same day we apply?

Sometimesespecially in places with no waiting period. But many jurisdictions have a waiting period, and some require
an appointment for the ceremony. The fastest path is: research your county’s rules, book the earliest appointment,
and show up with perfect paperwork.

Do we need rings?

Nope. Rings are optional. The legal essentials are the license, an authorized officiant, any required witnesses,
and correct signatures.

What if we don’t have witnesses?

If your jurisdiction requires witnesses, bring themor ask whether the courthouse can provide them.
If witnesses aren’t required where you are, enjoy the simplicity.

Is a courthouse wedding a “real” wedding?

Yes. If you follow the legal steps and your marriage is properly recorded, it’s legally valid.
The size of the guest list does not change the size of the commitment.

Real Courthouse Wedding Experiences (What Couples Commonly Say) 500+ Words

Courthouse weddings have a special kind of charm: they’re low on spectacle and high on “wow, this is actually happening.”
Couples often describe the day as a mix of calm, comedy, and tiny moments you didn’t know you’d treasure.

One of the most common surprises is how “official” everything feels the moment you walk in. Even if you’re wearing sneakers
and carrying a tote bag with mints and a pen, the building itself has energysecurity checkpoints, quiet hallways, and signs
telling you where to stand like you’re boarding a flight to Matrimony International.
Many couples recommend arriving early not just for the schedule, but for the vibe shift. Those extra minutes give you time
to breathe, fix your hair in the restroom mirror, and laugh at the fact that your love story is about to be documented in
someone’s filing system.

Another classic experience: the “paperwork plot twist.” People often assume the clerk will walk them through every line,
but in reality, clerks are helpful and efficientmeaning they expect you to come prepared.
Couples who had the smoothest days usually did two things: (1) they checked the requirements online and (2) they brought
exactly what was asked for (IDs, payment, any extra documents). The couples who had the spiciest day?
They brought an expired passport, a credit card to a cash-only counter, or a witness who forgot their ID and had to sprint
back to the car like it was an Olympic event.

When it comes to the ceremony, couples often say the short format is secretly perfect. You don’t have time to overthink.
You’re standing there, holding hands, and a judge or civil officiant says something meaningful (sometimes sweet, sometimes
delightfully brisklike a romantic espresso shot). Many people are surprised by how emotional they feel in such a simple setting.
The lack of distractions can make it easier to focus on your partner’s face, your own shaky happy laugh, and the moment you
realize you’re choosing each other on purpose.

Guests add their own flavor. If you bring family or friends, courthouse weddings often feel like a “best hits” version of a
traditional weddingpeople show up, they’re proud, someone cries, someone takes too many photos, and then everyone’s free
to eat tacos. If you don’t bring guests, couples often say the intimacy is the highlight. It’s you, your partner, and a moment
that belongs completely to you twono seating chart required.

Finally, couples regularly mention the “after” feeling: walking out of a government building married.
It’s equal parts hilarious and magical. Many do a mini celebration right away: coffee and pastries, a fancy lunch,
a park picnic, or a quick photo session outside the courthouse steps. The best stories usually aren’t about perfection;
they’re about tiny real-life detailswind messing up your hair, your witness cracking a joke, the clerk smiling when you say
“we did it,” and the unexpected peace of knowing you got married your way.