Courthouse wedding cost calculator
Pick the county where you'll get the license. See the license, the clerk's ceremony and certified copies at the clerk's own prices, then add anything else you'll pay for.
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Work out your courthouse wedding cost
Courthouse wedding cost
Choose the county where you'll get the license.
Government fees come only from each clerk's own page. A fee we couldn't find there stays open instead of being guessed.
Quick answer
Courthouse wedding cost by county
In the 9 places we checked that publish a courthouse ceremony fee, the marriage license, a courthouse ceremony and one certified copy came to $75 (New York City, NY) to $279 (Riverside County, CA), from each clerk's fee page on October 24, 2026. Photos, outfits, rings or a meal afterwards are extra.
| County | License | Courthouse ceremony | Certified copy | License, ceremony and 1 copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark County, NV | $102 | $77.75 | $20 | $199.75 |
| Cook County, IL | $60 | $10 | $15 | $85 |
| Dallas County, TX | $21 to $81 | $80 to $150 | $10 | $111 to $241 |
| Harris County, TX | $81 to $181 | No fee listed | Not listed | Copy fee not listed |
| King County, WA | $169 | Set by each judge | $3 | $172 plus the ceremony |
| Los Angeles County, CA | $85 to $91 | $35 | $19 | $139 to $145 |
| Maricopa County, AZ | $98 | Set by each judge | $43.50 | $141.50 plus the ceremony |
| Miami-Dade County, FL | $61 to $86 | $30 | $9 | $100 to $125 |
| New York City, NY | $35 | $25 | $15 | $75 |
| Orange County, CA | $61 to $66 | $28 | $19 | $108 to $113 |
| Riverside County, CA | $111 to $122 | $96 to $138 | $19 | $226 to $279 |
| San Diego County, CA | $129 to $144 | $107 | $19 | $255 to $270 |
Where a clerk lists more than one license (a premarital course price, a California confidential license, or a higher fee without a Texas ID) or more than one ceremony, the table shows the range. Choose a county in the calculator to see every option.
Where each fee comes from
- Clark County, NV: Clark County Clerk, ceremonies
- Cook County, IL: Cook County Clerk, ceremonies, certified copies
- Dallas County, TX: Dallas County Clerk, ceremonies
- Harris County, TX: Harris County Clerk
- King County, WA: King County Recorder's Office
- Los Angeles County, CA: Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, ceremonies, certified copies
- Maricopa County, AZ: Clerk of the Superior Court of Maricopa County
- Miami-Dade County, FL: Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, certified copies
- New York City, NY: Office of the City Clerk, ceremonies, certified copies
- Orange County, CA: Orange County Clerk-Recorder, ceremonies, certified copies
- Riverside County, CA: Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, ceremonies, certified copies
- San Diego County, CA: San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, certified copies
The calculation method
Clerk fees first, then your extras.
License + courthouse ceremony + certified copies × the clerk's fee + your extras = the total
- Government fees come from the clerk's own fee page for that county, quoted and dated. A fee the clerk doesn't publish stays open. We never guess it.
- Certified copies are counted at the clerk's price per copy. Order one for each place that needs proof of the marriage, such as a name change.
- Extras are your own numbers. A ticked extra with no amount stays on the open list instead of counting as $0.
Ask the clerk
- "Do you perform ceremonies, and do we need an appointment?"
- "Do we bring our own witness, and how many guests can come in?"
- "Which payment methods do you take, and is there a card fee?"
Having a friend or a hired officiant marry you instead? Compare officiant quotes or put the license in your budget.
Questions about courthouse wedding costs
How much does it cost to get married at a courthouse?
In the 9 places we checked that publish a courthouse ceremony fee, the marriage license, a courthouse ceremony and one certified copy came to $75 (New York City, NY) to $279 (Riverside County, CA), from each clerk's fee page on October 24, 2026. Photos, outfits, rings or a meal afterwards are extra.
How much is a marriage license?
In the 12 places we checked it was $21 (Dallas County, TX: with a Twogether in Texas certificate) to $181 (Harris County, TX: neither ID shows Texas residency) on October 24, 2026. Each county sets its own fee, and some charge less with a premarital course certificate. The calculator lists every option the clerk publishes.
Is the certified copy included in the license fee?
Usually not. Most clerks charge for each certified copy of the marriage certificate, and you'll need one for each name change (Social Security, the DMV, a passport, the bank). The calculator adds the copies you choose at the clerk's price.
Does every courthouse marry couples?
Not always. In Harris County, TX; King County, WA and Maricopa County, AZ, the clerk's page lists no courthouse ceremony fee, so you book a judge, a justice of the peace, or your own officiant and ask their fee. In Dallas County, TX, some justice of the peace courts publish their ceremony fees. Choose your county in the calculator to see who performs the ceremony there.
What if my county isn't listed?
Choose "Another county" and type the license fee, the ceremony fee and the fee per certified copy from your clerk's website. A fee you leave blank stays open instead of counting as $0.
Fees checked October 24, 2026. Report a fee that changed.