The cost to get married at a courthouse varies depending on location, type of ceremony, and additional fees such as marriage licenses and booking fees. Here is a summary of typical costs:
- In the UK (e.g., Manchester), a simple courthouse ceremony for the couple and two witnesses costs around £68.50 plus a £40 non-refundable booking fee for ceremonies booked between April 2025 and March 2026. Notice of intention to marry fees are £42 per person
. In Somerset, a simple ceremony costs £68.50 including the certificate
. In Lancashire, fees range from about £102.50 for a standard ceremony on a weekday morning up to £369 for weekend or bank holiday ceremonies, including booking fees and certificate
- In the US, marriage license fees generally range from $25 to $86 depending on the state. For example, in New York City, the marriage license fee is $35, and the courthouse ceremony fee is around $25
. In Broward County, Florida, the marriage license fee is $86, with a ceremony fee of $30
. Contra Costa County, California charges $65 for a walk-in civil marriage ceremony, $75 after hours
- Additional costs can include officiant fees (e.g., $25 in Maryland), certificates, and optional extras like photography, attire, and receptions, which can significantly increase the total cost. One example from a Reddit user reported paying $175 for the courthouse wedding fee itself but spending over $5,000 including dress, photographer, makeup, and dinner
- In Amsterdam, fees vary widely from a free ceremony to over €900 for ceremonies in city office wedding halls, depending on day and time
In summary, the base cost for a courthouse wedding ceremony typically ranges from about $25 to $100 for the license and ceremony fees combined, but can be higher depending on location and extras. In the UK, simple ceremonies start around £68.50 plus booking fees, with higher fees for weekend or enhanced ceremonies. Additional costs for attire, photography, and celebrations are optional but can add substantially to the overall expense.
