Courthouse Wedding Checklist: Everything You Need to Get Legally Married

A courthouse wedding strips the process down to what actually matters legally: two people, an authorized officiant, a valid license, and, where required, witnesses. For couples who want to be married without six months of event planning, it is genuinely one of the most efficient options available. But "simple" does not mean "no preparation." Show up without a required document and you may be turned away and have to rebook.

Here is what you need to prepare.

Step 1: Complete Your Marriage Paperwork

This comes first. You cannot have a ceremony without it.

United States: Marriage licenses are issued at the county level, not the state level. Go to the county clerk's office or other issuing office specified by your state; it may be separate from the courthouse. Requirements typically include:

• Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants (driver's license or passport)
• Birth certificates (required in some states, not all)
• Social Security numbers (required in some states)
• Proof of divorce or death certificate if either party was previously married
• The license fee — varies by county and state

Some states have a waiting period between when the license is issued and when you can use it — for example, Texas requires 72 hours, and Florida requires 3 days unless you complete a premarital course. Some states have no waiting period at all. Check your specific state and county before planning your ceremony date.

Most US marriage licenses expire within 30–90 days. Do not get the license too far in advance.

United Kingdom: Civil ceremonies in the UK require you to give formal notice at your local register office at least 29 days before the ceremony. Both parties must give notice, usually separately if you live in different districts; couples subject to immigration control may need to give notice together at a designated register office. You must have been resident in the district for at least 7 days before giving notice. The ceremony must take place within 12 months of the notice being given.

Australia: You must lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) with your authorized celebrant at least one month before the ceremony. For a civil ceremony, lodge it with your authorized celebrant. Bring your birth certificate, photo ID, and evidence of any prior marriages ending. The NOIM is valid for up to 18 months.

New Zealand: Apply for your marriage license online at least 3 working days before the ceremony. The license is valid for 3 months.

Canada: Handled provincially. In Ontario, licenses are typically issued immediately with no waiting period and are valid for 90 days. In British Columbia, the process is similar through Vital Statistics. Quebec requires publication of banns for 20 days prior.

Step 2: Confirm What You Are Booking

In many jurisdictions, "the courthouse" refers to several different things: the county clerk's office, the justice of the peace, a civil registrar's office, or a separate ceremony room. These may or may not be in the same building or operate on the same schedule.

Call ahead and confirm:

• Whether you need to book a specific time slot or whether ceremonies happen walk-in
• What the fee is for the ceremony itself (separate from the license fee)
• How long the ceremony takes and how many people are allowed in the room
• Whether the courthouse officiant performs the ceremony or whether you need to arrange your own

Step 3: Witnesses

Witness requirements vary by jurisdiction. In New Zealand, the couple and two witnesses must sign the Copy of Particulars after the ceremony. Elsewhere, check whether witnesses are required and whether they must meet age or identification rules. Some courthouses have staff who can serve as witnesses if you do not bring your own; many do not. If you want a family member or friend as a witness, confirm they will be available before you book.

What to Bring to the Ceremony

• Your marriage license (original, not a copy)
• Valid photo ID for both people
• Your witnesses (if required)
• Payment for any ceremony fees (check whether the office accepts cash only)
• Your witnesses' photo ID, if required
• Any rings you plan to exchange

After the Ceremony

Once the ceremony is complete and the license is signed:

Get your marriage certificate. This is different from the marriage license. In most places you must apply for an official certified copy through the county or registry. Get at least two certified copies — one for name change purposes, one for your records.

Name change process: If you are changing your name, the process typically starts with:

1. Certified copy of your marriage certificate
2. Updated Social Security card (US) or equivalent national identity document
3. Updated passport (allow 6–10 weeks)
4. Updated driver's license
5. Notification to your bank, employer, and any subscription or financial accounts

UK specific: After the ceremony at the register office, you will receive your marriage certificate immediately. Keep it safe — replacement copies can be obtained from the General Register Office but it takes time and costs money.

Australia specific: The authorized celebrant submits paperwork to the registry of births, deaths and marriages. You will receive an official marriage certificate in the mail within a few weeks. You can also apply for a commemorative certificate.

What a Courthouse Wedding Does Not Include

A courthouse ceremony is typically 10–15 minutes. There is no venue, no catering, no seating arrangement, and usually no decor. If you want any of those elements — even a small celebration dinner afterward — you will need to plan them separately.

Many couples choose a courthouse ceremony for the legal formality and then hold a separate celebration (a party, a dinner, or a larger ceremony) at a later date without the legal administration attached. This approach gives you the simplicity of the legal process without sacrificing the celebration.

If you are also planning a celebration event around your courthouse wedding, the Wedding Planning Checklist covers the full scope of logistics — including legal timelines for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — so you can see exactly what a low-overhead wedding planning process looks like from start to finish.