How Much Does It Cost to Get Married at a Courthouse?

Most couples spend more on a first dinner out than a courthouse wedding. If you are trying to understand the real cost of a civil marriage before deciding between eloping and a full ceremony, the numbers are straightforward — and much lower than most people assume.

The Basic Cost Breakdown

Getting married at a courthouse involves two separate fees: the marriage license and the ceremony itself.

Marriage license: In the United States, marriage license fees range from roughly $30 in some counties to $120 or more in others. Many states set a statewide fee; others leave it to the county. You typically need to apply in person at the county clerk's office, present valid ID, and pay the fee on the spot.

Ceremony fee: If the courthouse or clerk's office performs the civil ceremony, there is often an additional fee for the officiant's time. This typically runs $25 to $75 in most jurisdictions, though some offices perform ceremonies at no extra charge if you schedule during business hours.

Total expected cost: $50 to $200 in most cases.

There are no venues to rent, no catering minimums, no deposits. The cost is genuinely this low.

What Varies by State and Country

Fees are set by local government, so they differ significantly depending on where you live.

United States examples: - Texas: Marriage licenses cost $82, but couples who complete a premarital education course pay only $22 - California: License fees vary by county — Los Angeles County charges around $90, while fees in rural counties run lower - New York: New York City charges $35 for the license; a city clerk ceremony is $25 extra - Florida: Most counties charge $86, reduced to $61 if both parties complete a premarital course

There is typically a waiting period between obtaining the license and the ceremony. This ranges from zero days (most states) to three days (Wisconsin). The license is usually valid for 30 to 90 days once issued.

United Kingdom: In England and Wales, there is no "courthouse ceremony" equivalent. Civil ceremonies happen at a Register Office or licensed venue. The registrar fee alone starts around £57 for a notice of marriage, with the ceremony itself from around £46 in a Register Office to several hundred pounds at a licensed venue. Scotland has its own system through the National Records of Scotland.

Australia: A civil marriage ceremony performed by a licensed celebrant (not a court) is required. There is no courthouse ceremony as in the US. The mandatory NOIM (Notice of Intended Marriage) must be lodged at least one month before the ceremony. Celebrant fees typically start at around $500 AUD for a simple ceremony.

Canada: Marriage licenses are issued provincially and cost between $100 and $200 CAD depending on the province. In Ontario, the license is $145. Civil ceremonies at a municipal office are available in most provinces for an additional fee.

New Zealand: A Celebrant must perform the ceremony, but they can be civil, humanist, or religious. The license fee is $150 NZD. There is no courthouse ceremony option — all marriages require a licensed celebrant.

Additional Costs to Budget For

Even a courthouse wedding is not completely free of extras once you start adding the things most couples want.

Witnesses: Most states require one or two witnesses. If you bring friends or family, this is free. If the courthouse provides them (some do, some don't), there may be a small fee.

Rings: Optional for the ceremony but expected by most couples. A simple plain band runs $100 to $500 depending on metal and style.

Photos: You are allowed to take your own photos or bring a photographer. A friend with a good camera is free. A professional photographer for a courthouse session typically charges $300 to $800 for a two-hour session.

Outfit: Courthouse weddings are casual by nature, but most couples still buy something new. Budget $50 to $500 depending on what you want.

Celebration meal: The ceremony itself is short — usually 10 to 15 minutes. Most couples go for dinner or brunch afterward. Budget for a nice restaurant for two or however many guests you invite.

Name change costs: After marriage, updating your Social Security card is free. A new driver's license and passport renewal are not — budget around $110 to $160 for the passport and your state's license fee.

Why Couples Choose a Courthouse Wedding

It is not just about cost. Couples choose civil marriages for many reasons: they want to be legally married before a larger celebration later, they are in a hurry due to insurance or visa reasons, they want complete privacy, or they genuinely prefer simplicity over ceremony.

Some couples get legally married at the courthouse and then hold a separate celebration — a dinner, a backyard party, or a destination event — without the legal formalities involved. This separates the legal act from the celebration, which can actually reduce stress significantly.

What a Courthouse Wedding Cannot Do

A courthouse ceremony is legally binding but typically very short and impersonal. The officiant does not know you as a couple. There is usually no music, no customized vows, and no reception space.

If the legal simplicity appeals but you want at least some personalization, a civil celebrant (separate from the courthouse) can perform a ceremony almost anywhere — a park, your backyard, a restaurant private room — at a fraction of the cost of a full wedding venue. Celebrant fees for simple ceremonies start around $300 to $600 in most markets.

The Full Cost Picture

If you want to keep total spending under $1,000, a courthouse marriage plus a celebratory dinner is very achievable. The license fee, ceremony fee, simple rings, and dinner for a small group can stay comfortably within that range. If you add a photographer and new outfits, you might reach $1,500 to $2,000 — still a fraction of the average wedding cost.

A structured budget tracker keeps even this simpler scenario organized, especially when you start adding witnesses, meals, travel, and the name-change paperwork that follows. The Complete Wedding Budget Planner includes a courthouse and elopement section alongside the full ceremony budget tools, so you can plan whichever version of your wedding you choose.