How much does a courthouse wedding cost?

A courthouse wedding can be very affordable, but there is no one national price. In New York City, the City Clerk lists a $35 marriage license and a $25 marriage ceremony, while other places start higher or add separate costs for witnesses, copies, or a judge's own ceremony fee. (cityclerk.nyc.gov)

The easiest way to budget is to think in parts: license, ceremony, extras, and after-the-wedding copies. If you are comparing counties, start with our state-by-state pages and keep a running list in the Courthouse wedding planner.

What you are really paying for

For a courthouse wedding, the first charge is usually the marriage license. That is the legal paperwork that lets you marry. Then there may be a second charge for the civil ceremony itself, if the clerk's office or court performs ceremonies. In Los Angeles County, for example, the official fee page lists a public marriage license at $91, a confidential marriage license at $85, and a civil ceremony at $35. (lavote.gov)

Some places bundle the process in a simple way, while others do not. Miami-Dade County lists an $86 marriage license and a $30 ceremony fee. King County, Washington, lists a $169 marriage license, but says a judge's wedding fee is set by each judge, so the ceremony price is not one fixed countywide number. (miamidadeclerk.gov)

That is why two couples can both say they had a courthouse wedding and still spend very different amounts. One couple may pay only for a license and a short clerk ceremony. Another may pay for the license, a separate judge fee, a witness, and several certified copies after the wedding. (cityclerk.nyc.gov)

Before you apply, it also helps to gather your documents so you do not need a second trip. Our guide on What to bring when you apply for a marriage license can help you make that checklist.

Real examples of courthouse wedding costs

Here are a few official examples that show how much the total can change from place to place:

• New York City: $35 for the marriage license and $25 for the marriage ceremony, for a base total of $60. (cityclerk.nyc.gov)
• Miami-Dade County, Florida: $86 for the marriage license and $30 for the ceremony, for a base total of $116. Florida residents who complete a premarital course can get the license for $61, making the base total $91 if they also use the clerk's $30 ceremony. (miamidadeclerk.gov)
• Los Angeles County, California: $91 for a public license and $35 for a civil ceremony, for a base total of $126. A confidential license plus the same ceremony would be $120. (lavote.gov)
• Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: the county lists a total marriage license fee of $90. It also says a self-uniting marriage license does not require an officiant, which can change the ceremony side of your budget. (alleghenycounty.us)
• King County, Washington: the marriage license is $169, and the wedding ceremony fee is set by each judge, so your total is $169 plus the judge's fee. (kingcounty.gov)

These examples also show why it is smart to compare the full path, not just the license fee. A county with a lower license fee can still cost more overall if the ceremony fee, witness cost, or copy fees are higher. (cityclerk.nyc.gov)

The extra costs couples forget

A certified copy of your marriage record is often not included in the ceremony price. You may want one for changing your name, updating government records, or dealing with benefits and insurance. King County says certified copies are $3 each. Los Angeles County lists certified copies of a public or confidential marriage record at $19 each. New York City lists a domestic-use marriage record at $15 for the first record and $10 for each additional record. (kingcounty.gov)

Witnesses can change the total too. In King County, the couple must bring two witnesses age 18 or older to sign the documents after the ceremony. In Los Angeles County, the fee page lists an RR/CC-provided witness for a civil ceremony at $20. If your county requires witnesses and you cannot bring your own, that can turn into a real line item. For more on this, see Do you need witnesses for a courthouse wedding?. (districtcourt.kingcounty.gov)

Another hidden cost is timing. If your license expires before the ceremony, or if your ceremony cannot happen until a waiting period ends, you may need to reapply or reschedule. King County says the license is not valid until three days after issue and becomes void if the ceremony does not take place within 60 days. Allegheny County says there is a mandatory three-day waiting period, and the license is valid for 60 days from issue. You can compare rules in our guide to Marriage license waiting periods and expiration dates. (kingcounty.gov)

How state and county rules can change the total

The biggest cost difference is not always the ceremony itself. Sometimes it is the local rule behind it. Florida is a good example. Miami-Dade says Florida residents normally face a statutory three-day waiting period, but that wait may be waived if the couple completes a premarital course of at least four hours from a registered provider and shows a certificate completed no more than one year before applying. The same page says the license is discounted to $61 in that situation, while non-Florida residents have no waiting period. (miamidadeclerk.gov)

Pennsylvania shows a different kind of rule change. Allegheny County says there are two types of marriage licenses there: self-uniting and traditional. A self-uniting license does not require an officiant to solemnize the marriage. For some couples, that can mean fewer moving parts and no officiant fee at all. (alleghenycounty.us)

California can change the math in another way. Los Angeles County offers a Deputy Commissioner for a Day program that lets an individual be deputized for one day to perform a wedding ceremony. The fee is $75, and applications submitted less than one month before the ceremony must include a $13 expediting fee. The county also says the program is valid only in California. If you want a friend or relative to lead the ceremony, read Deputy for a day: letting a friend officiate your civil wedding. (lavote.gov)

Because these rules can shift from one office to the next, always check the clerk, recorder, city clerk, or court page for the place where you plan to marry. If anything is unclear, call or email the official office before you book time off work or travel.

Ways to keep a courthouse wedding affordable

Start by asking for the full official total, not just the license fee. A simple question works well: “What will we pay for the license, the ceremony, any witness, and one certified copy?” That helps you compare counties fairly.

It also helps to ask these practical questions before you choose a date:

1. Is the ceremony fee separate from the license fee?
2. Are witnesses required, and if so, how many?
3. Can the office provide a witness, and what does it cost?
4. Do we need certified copies right away, and what is the fee per copy?
5. Is there a waiting period before we can marry?
6. How long is the license valid before it expires?

If you are flexible, compare more than one county or city. New York City's listed base total of $60 is very different from Miami-Dade's $116, Los Angeles County's $126 for a public license plus civil ceremony, or King County's $169 plus a judge's fee. Using more than one official example helps you spot the best fit for your budget and your timeline. (cityclerk.nyc.gov)

Frequently asked questions

Do you pay for the marriage license and the ceremony separately?

Often, yes. New York City lists a $35 marriage license and a separate $25 ceremony fee. Miami-Dade County lists an $86 marriage license and a separate $30 ceremony fee. Los Angeles County also separates the charges, listing marriage license fees and a separate $35 civil ceremony fee. (cityclerk.nyc.gov)

Is a courthouse wedding always the cheapest legal way to get married?

Not always. It can be low-cost, but the total depends on local rules. In Allegheny County, a self-uniting marriage license does not require an officiant, which may reduce ceremony costs. In King County, the license alone is $169, and a judge may charge an additional ceremony fee. (alleghenycounty.us)

Do you need witnesses for a courthouse wedding?

Sometimes. King County says you must bring two witnesses age 18 or older for the ceremony paperwork. Los Angeles County's fee page also shows that the office can provide a witness for a civil ceremony for $20, which is a useful clue that witness logistics can affect cost. (districtcourt.kingcounty.gov)

Can a friend officiate instead of a clerk or judge?

In some places, yes. Los Angeles County offers a Deputy Commissioner for a Day program for $75, with a $13 expediting fee if the application is submitted less than one month before the ceremony. In Allegheny County, a self-uniting marriage license does not require an officiant to solemnize the marriage. Because rules vary so much, confirm the current process with the official office handling your license or ceremony. (lavote.gov)