How to Get Married in Court

Co-authored by Kemar & DeAnne Johnson

Last Updated: September 19, 2024 Approved

Getting married in court is a great alternative to the traditional flashy wedding and there are a number of reasons why some couples choose this option. For example, it is less expensive and much easier and faster to plan. To get married in a court, you need to acquire a marriage license, select a date, plan the ceremony, and enjoy the festivities!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting a Marriage License

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1
Contact your local courthouse. Before you can get married at a court, you need to have a marriage license. You can obtain a license by calling your local circuit court or searching their website for details on how to obtain a marriage licence.
- They will inform you of the steps that you will need to take in your legal jurisdiction to obtain a marriage license.
2
Gather the necessary documents. Once you have spoken to the court, you will know which documents are necessary in order to obtain a marriage license. For example, you will both likely need to supply your driver’s license or government-issued photo ID, birth certificate, and Social Security number.
- The documentation required may vary between jurisdictions.
- Make sure you have all of the necessary documents before heading to the court to apply for the marriage license.
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Once you have gathered the necessary information, you can fill out the paperwork necessary to apply for a marriage license. This will include your name, the name of your spouse, your date of birth, your address, and the name(s) of your parents. Depending on your jurisdiction, this form may be completed online or in person.^{[1]
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When you apply for a marriage license you will be required to pay a small fee. This will vary from place to place and can range from $20 USD to $100 USD. Search your local courthouse website to find out the fee in your jurisdiction. The fee will be paid in person to a local clerk.
5
Apply for a marriage license. Once you have gathered all the necessary paperwork and money, you and your partner can apply for a marriage license by visiting your local court. It will typically take a few days before the license is issued.
- Make sure you factor in this wait time when planning your court wedding. You will not be able to show up at a courthouse and get married that day. You need to get a marriage license in advance.

Part 2

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Planning Your Court Ceremony

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1
Select and book a date. Once you have your marriage license, you are ready to start planning the court ceremony. Search online or call the court to find out which days they perform wedding ceremonies. The times and dates will vary depending on the location, but typically these are performed during business hours from Monday to Friday.
- In some regions you will be able to book a specific date and time for your ceremony.
- Alternatively, some districts will only perform walk-in ceremonies. This means you may have to wait in line in order to get married at the court.
2
Ask questions about the details of your wedding. When planning your court wedding, you should ask the court office about any extra details concerning your wedding. Court weddings are typically quick and don’t allow the couple to say their own vows and in some instances you may not be able to have decorations and flowers. You should know this in advance so that you can plan around it. For example, you should ask:
- How many guests are allowed to attend the ceremony?
- Are outside decorations and flowers allowed?
- Can we have a photographer present?
- What should we wear?
- Can we exchange rings during the ceremony?
- Are we able to say our own vows?
3
Purchase rings if desired. Many couples will exchange rings during a court wedding ceremony. You and your partner should decide if you would like to exchange rings. Make sure you have purchased the rings well in advance and don't forget to bring them with you on the day!
- Alternatively, you may want to use a family heirloom, such as your great grandparents' wedding bands.
4
Find witnesses. Witnesses are needed to sign your marriage license. Typically people choose a close friend or relative, but a witness can actually be anyone over the age of 18. Check to find out how many witnesses are necessary and make sure that you have someone who can attend the ceremony with you.
- In some instances more than one witness will be required.
5
Hire a photographer. A court wedding, although less flashy than a traditional wedding ceremony, is still a special and monumental occasion in your relationship. You may want to hire a photographer to document the day. This will give you images that you can look back on and cherish for the rest of your life. Most courts will allow photography during the ceremony, but be sure to check in advance.
- If photography is not allowed, you can always take pictures before or after the ceremony.
6
Invite your guests. You may want to have your immediate family present at the court while you get married. You can send out wedding invitations or evites to let them know the details regarding the date, time, and location of the ceremony.
- Prior to sending out invitations, make sure you know how many guests are allowed to attend the ceremony.

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Enjoying the Ceremony

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You and your spouse can choose to be as casual or fancy as you would like when getting married at a court. The options are seemingly endless. For example, you could choose a formal wedding dress and tux, or opt for something more casual like a simple cocktail dress. Choose an outfit that fits with your personality, style, and the type of ceremony you want to create.
2
Ensure you are dressed and ready upon arrival. When you get married at a courthouse there is typically no designated room to get changed or prepared before the ceremony. As a result, you should arrive fully dressed and ready for the ceremony. Make sure you have your marriage license, witnesses, IDs, and money to pay for the ceremony.^{[2]
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- Arrive at least 15-20 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment (if you have one). This way you will not feel rushed.
3
Respect other couples. You will likely not be the only people getting married at city hall that day. These ceremonies are supposed to be quick in order to allow for multiple ceremonies each day. Be respectful of the other couples and do not overstay your welcome.^{[3]
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- Remember that this is their special day as well.
4
Plan post-ceremony activities if desired. You may want to go out for dinner and drinks with your guests following the ceremony. You could make a reservation at your favourite restaurant. Alternatively, you could do something more low-key and invite everyone to your house after for some post-wedding festivities.^{[4]
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- You may also want to plan a horse-drawn carriage ride, go somewhere meaningful to take photos, or pop open a bottle of champagne and enjoy a romantic night just the two of you.
- Whatever you choose to do following the ceremony, make sure that it is arranged well in advance.

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Question

What advice do you have for deciding between different wedding photographers?

Victoria Sprung
Professional Photographer
Victoria Sprung is a Professional Photographer and the Founder of Sprung Photo, a wedding photography studio based in Chicago, Illinois. She has over 13 years of professional photography experience and has photographed over 550 weddings. She has been chosen for Wedding Wire's "Couple’s Choice" Award eight years in a row and The Knot's "Best of Weddings" award five years in a row. Her work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out Chicago, Chicago Magazine, the Chicago Reader, Rangefinder, The Chicago Sun-Times, and Pop Sugar.

Victoria Sprung

Professional Photographer

Expert Answer

First, figure out what kind of style you want. There are a couple of different styles of wedding photography. There's a more traditional photographer who is going to pose and direct you all day. From getting ready to your first dance, they're going to give you instructions. Those photographers also tend to take more posed photos. A more popular style now is a more candid documentary approach. The photographer follows everybody around for the day and candidly documents real moments that are happening without setting anything up except for a couple of family photos and some portraits. Then look at photographers' portfolios and see what kinds of photos speak to you.

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What's the best way to address wedding invitations to a family?

Ivy Summer
Certified Wedding & Event Planner
Ivy Summer is a Certified Wedding Planner and the Owner of Voulez Events. Ivy has over 10 years of experience consulting, planning and coordinating weddings around the globe. She has also created a DIY online wedding planning workshop for couples, called "Plan Your Wedding Like A Pro." She currently resides in Greece where she continues to work with a worldwide network of planners and wedding professionals.

Ivy Summer

Certified Wedding & Event Planner

Expert Answer

You usually want to address the head of the household. If anyone over the age of 18 is living in the household and is invited to the wedding, then they would get their own invitation.

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What are some of the most important things to consider when you're planning a party?

Ivy Summer
Certified Wedding & Event Planner
Ivy Summer is a Certified Wedding Planner and the Owner of Voulez Events. Ivy has over 10 years of experience consulting, planning and coordinating weddings around the globe. She has also created a DIY online wedding planning workshop for couples, called "Plan Your Wedding Like A Pro." She currently resides in Greece where she continues to work with a worldwide network of planners and wedding professionals.

Ivy Summer

Certified Wedding & Event Planner

Expert Answer

Five of the things you should think about when you're planning a party or any kind of event is the location, the date, the start time, the end time, and your budget.

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Tips

You can choose to get married in the traditional dress and tuxedo, or opt for a more casual look. There are so many options available.

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You can still add your own personality to your wedding day. Plan a post-ceremony event that speaks to you as a couple.

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If your name changes, remember to change your name on your social security card, driver's license, passport, bank accounts, credit cards and any other important accounts or documents.

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