what to expect when you get married at a courthouse

Information technology's been x years since Kierstin and her husband got courthouse-hitched on a hot August morning—afterwards being checked for weapons of grade.

Hoping to tie the knot at the local courthouse? Here'southward what you need to know.

Photo by Sweet Ice Cream Photography on Unsplash

There are like, a million reasons to get married in a courthouse. Maybe yous and your hereafter spouse are shy. Maybe you can't beget a big wedding. Maybe y'all just like to do things only. Or mayhap yous're madly in love and can't expect another 24-hour interval to be together.

Whatsoever your reason, eloping to the courthouse is no longer as taboo as it was decades ago. These days, eloping embodies thriftiness besides equally the romantic ideal of marrying for dearest—not the spotlight. And don't worry—there are still plenty of ways to make a courthouse wedding charming, classy, and totally memorable (more on this below).

Getting Started: The Steps to Go to the Courthouse Steps

Before yous delve into the details of getting courthouse-hitched, you should know a couple of things. Hither's a bones outline of the process:

1. Gather you lot and your spousehoped-for'due south driver's licenses or State IDs, nascence certificates, and social security numbers to accept on hand.
2. Detect the telephone number of your local circuit court (this is where you apply for the marriage license). You tin Google this! Yay, Google!
3. Get information (either by calling or looking online) from the circuit court on how to use for a union license and what yous need. So, apply for it!
4. Find the phone number for your local courthouse. (Google to the rescue once again!)
5. Telephone call or get data from the courthouse on the procedure and requirements for getting married (more on this below). Make a date and a reservation (if needed).
6. Make sure you take everything (and everyone) you need, and so get hitched!

Accept care of these six things before getting married at the courthouse.

Applying for The Marriage License

In about states, applying for a spousal relationship license is pretty elementary. First, you'll demand to phone call your local circuit court and find out what the requirements are for a marriage license application. Finding the number is easy—just Google "Circuit canton courtroom phone number [your city here]." A lot of this information is bachelor online also, then effort our friend Google and it may not be necessary to telephone call.

In nearly every country you'll both demand a valid driver's license or state ID, an original birth certificate (not a copy), and cash to pay the application fee.

In one case you've applied, you'll be given a twenty-four hours to come dorsum and pick the license up.

Of import Questions to Inquire When Y'all Call the Excursion Court

• What is the application fee and how should we pay for it?
• What documentation should we bring with us?
• Practise we both need to be present to use?
• Do you require a blood examination or premarital counseling? (In about states these are both outdated practices merely if you're in Connecticut, Indiana, Mississippi, or Montana, a blood test may be required.
• What is the look after nosotros utilise? (In virtually states there is a mandatory wait afterward applying for the marriage license. In Michigan for instance, y'all must look three concern days after the application is received to actually get married.)
• When does the application expire? (in most states your marriage application will expire after thirty days and you will take to use for a new one if you lot don't get married within that menstruation.)

What to Find Out About Your Marriage Licenses

Age requirement	How onetime do we demand to exist?
Issuance time	When will nosotros actually get the license?
Claret test	Exercise we need one?
Omnipresence	Who has to exist there to apply?
Other marriages	What kind of proof do we need that we're not married anymore?
License validity	How long is it good for?
Wait fourth dimension	How long practice we have to wait to go married afterward nosotros go the license?

Questions to Enquire When You Call the Courthouse

The documents y'all need to bring and the rules you must bide by vary from state to land, and sometimes even county to canton, then it's important to phone call your local courthouse earlier the large day to figure out the exact requirements. Similar the above, sometimes this information is available online and calling might non exist necessary.

By the mode, this is not the aforementioned as calling the circuit court, which is the governing body—the courthouse is the specific place y'all'll be getting married. Just FYI!

Questions to Inquire When Yous Call

• What forms of identification do we need to bring?
• Is there a fee we'll need to pay when we get there? How can we pay the fee?
• Are children allowed?
• Is flash photography or any photography allowed within the courthouse?
• How many guests, if whatsoever, may we bring?
• Will the ceremonious ceremony accept identify at a desk or in a courtroom?
• Should we fix up an appointment or tin can we come in whatsoever time? Is at that place an online reservation system?
• Do we each need to bring a witness?

What to Know Nigh the Courthouse Ceremony

When?	When tin nosotros get married and how do nosotros prepare up the appointment?
What do we need?	Union license, money, etc.
Guests?	Who tin come up too witnesses?
Witnesses?	How many exercise we demand?
Where?	Where exactly can the ceremony be performed?
Photography?	What's allowed? Is video okay too?

Ringlet to Go on

Read More than From Holidappy

Did You Lose a Document?

Don't worry! It'south adequately easy to go a new copy of your nativity document and social security card.

Replacing a Birth Document

If you've lost your birth certificate you can recover this from the canton yous were born in, either online or in-person.

Replacing a Social Security Bill of fare

For a missing social security carte, contact your local social security role and let them know your dilemma. They'll requite you lot a list of what to bring in to replace the menu.

What to Bring With You to Become Married

Make sure y'all have these things on hand when you make it at the courthouse!

• Matrimony license
• Two buddies—a witness each for the helpmate and groom
• Cash fee to pay the magistrate
• Both of your driver's licenses or state IDs

What to Expect On Your Big Day

1. When you arrive at the courthouse yous'll take to go through a quick security checkpoint where you may be inspected with a mitt-held metal detector (all part of the charm of the mean solar day!).
2. Next, yous'll check in and let them know that yous're there to get married. You may accept to wait either for your plow to come up upwards, or for your pre-scheduled appointment.
3. Subsequently your turn comes up you'll either exist directed to a minor courtroom, an part, or a lilliputian cubicle, wherever the magistrate or approximate is working.
4. The magistrate may say a few words and so take you, your spouse, and the witnesses sign the license in front of him. Birthday, this takes about one minute.
5. Voila! Yous're married!

Picking my own bouquet with my mom and sister-in-constabulary is one of my favorite memories of getting married.

Photo by Gades Photography on Unsplash

Courthouse Marriage FAQ

Beneath are some of the near mutual questions people who are considering a courthouse ceremony ask along with detailed answers and relevant data.

Can You Have Flowers or a Bouquet in the Courthouse?

The answer for me was yes, just information technology doesn't hurt to check with your own courthouse, especially in calorie-free of tighter restrictions in the past couple of years. If you lot have the go-ahead, continue in my that you don't take to adorn eight other girls with flowers, so the options for yourself suddenly get a lot more fun (and cheap!)

Can You lot Dress Upwards for a Courtroom Firm Wedding?

Yes, you can. Just because you're skipping the large ceremony doesn't mean you can't brand your big day special! If one or both of you wants to habiliment a dress but you don't want to go all-out with a gown, retailers from ModCloth to Macy'southward are beginning to catch onto the less-is-more tendency when it comes to wedding attire at the right toll point. For my own courthouse wedding I had a apparel made for me on Etsy, and it cost about the same cost as many of the bridesmaid dresses I wore before that.

Tin can You Have Guests?

Yes, you can. While you may decide to forego bringing your families forth, don't assume y'all have to. Nigh courthouses allow a pocket-size showing of guests for the "ceremony."

Regardless of who'southward invited, y'all'll both probably need to bring a witness along to sign the final papers.

Can You Still Have a Reception?

Just because you've chosen to tie the knot quietly, doesn't hateful you tin can't enjoy a postal service-courthouse party! Spend a fraction of the money y'all've saved past not having a wedding on a one time-in-a-lifetime super-expensive dinner with your closest friends, or order a box of gourmet cupcakes to share with your families on the beach subsequently.

Should You lot Hire a Photographer Even if Y'all're Not Having a Full Wedding?

Most professional photographers (particularly if it's the off-flavour, Nov-April) will offer a disbelieve for courthouse weddings, since the time they have to invest is more than similar one hour, instead of eight. They would too be happy to clasp in a mid-week shoot as most courthouse marriages take place during the week instead of on the weekend due to government concern hours.

Even if the photographer isn't immune in the courthouse you tin can fix a fourth dimension to run across outside afterward for some quick professional shots, or plan to head out to a pretty location for a post-nuptials photo session.

This content is accurate and truthful to the best of the author'south cognition and is non meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: Could I go married on the weekend at my local courthouse?

Reply: Since regime institutions aren't typically open on weekends, y'all won't exist able to go married on the weekend.

Question: What is the cost of a marriage license in Florida?

Reply: The cost of a marriage license in Florida is just under $100, but you'll receive a small discount if yous complete a premarital counseling course. To find out exactly how much your license will cost, and any available discounts you tin can call your canton'due south courthouse for specific numbers.

Question: What are the vows if you haven't prepared your ain when getting married at the courthouse?

Reply: That's a really good question and information technology'southward possible that this varies from state to land, but here in Michigan where I was married, the judge but went through a quick ceremonial vow that was pretty similar to the stop of every formal wedding ceremony I've e'er attended which go something like "By the power invested in me by the state of ___ I now pronounce you hubby and wife (or married woman and married woman or husband and husband)" and then my judge got extra fancy and said "You lot may now kiss your bride" although I don't know if that's function of the legal thing he had to say.

There was no "I practice" stuff though, that I recall. I believe that's more of a church/religious tradition than a legal/state one. For me, I would say information technology took nigh thirty seconds for us to become legally married.

Question: Can yous take the time to say vows at a courthouse wedding?

Answer: I didn't practice this merely it's my understanding from other couples' experiences that yes, you can say your ain vows at a courthouse wedding. You can always enquire beforehand as well - either when you go there or past calling the magistrate'south office to find out alee of time.

Question: How do I schedule an appointment to become married?

Answer: To schedule an engagement to get married at the courthouse, the first thing you'll want to practise is call the courthouse you programme to get married at. Usually, this is merely the one in your county.

When yous call, allow them know why you're calling and they'll direct you to the proper department for scheduling an engagement time. Be prepared, it's probably going to be in the morning and on a weekday since you're working with a government entity.

Question: Can I become married at the courthouse without an appointment?

Respond: No, as far as I know you demand to brand an appointment in nearly counties considering they're as well conducting other legal matters (like criminal and civil court cases) inside the building and using the same staff.

Question: When I get married, how practice I change my beginning proper name at the same time I change my last?

Respond: To change both your first and last name, you'll need to contact your local courthouse and observe out what paperwork and documentation you lot'll need. You'll probably demand to file a formal petition to change your first name.

Question: What are the next steps after getting married in some other country?

Answer: One time you get married, whether it's at the courthouse in a civil anniversary or in a big, expensive hymeneals y'all'll need to update your info. And then, if you program to modify your last name, or hyphenate it afterwards getting married to your partner, y'all'll demand to contact your local social security function to find out what documents and data yous must bring to change your last proper name.

Once y'all've done that, you'll demand to make a formal modify on your driver's license or land ID equally well.

Later on that, legally, you lot should be up to snuff though you might desire to update your name and contact at other places like your doctor'southward office, your insurance companies, etc.

Question: What questions at the courthouse do I accept to answer before I get married?

Answer: It may differ from state to state, merely when I got married, I needed to have a valid ID. At that place are not whatever official questions to answer other than the paperwork for the wedlock license which included questions like my date of birth, my social security number and my address.

Information technology's possible I besides had to confirm that I wasn't claret related to my partner, but that was only through the paperwork and not a claret test or whatsoever other documentation.

Information technology's very informal and requires surprisingly piffling in terms of information.

Question: Which courthouses are you able to get married at?

Answer: Equally far every bit I know, whatsoever county courthouse will ally you. If you're in doubt, you should call them up and ask if they perform civil ceremonies, as well as what yous should exercise to prepare for ane.

Question: Practise we need to bring a witness to the courthouse to become married?

Respond: Yeah, you should each plan on bringing a witness to the courthouse! We did. Withal, if that'due south an actress hassle for you lot, it doesn't hurt to recall your local courthouse and find out exactly what their rules are on witnesses.

Question: Do we both have to be present in order to become married?

Reply: Yes, as far as I know, you do. You'll both need to sign the paperwork at the same time with separate witnesses in omnipresence, with the magistrate nowadays.

Question: If I get married in a courthouse now, can I have an actual wedding afterward?

Answer: Oh, admittedly! You would basically simply exist getting the legalities out of the mode. Then when yous had your actual hymeneals, it would be just like any other wedding, except that y'all wouldn't have to worry about signing a marriage license since that would have been done at the courthouse.

Question: Can you walk down the aisle when getting married in the courthouse?

Reply: Information technology really but depends on how big the room you lot get married in is. I've seen information technology done! And the court room that I was married in left a little bit of room for me to walk downwards the alley.

Question: Does it affair if the witness for the helpmate is from the groom's side?

Answer: No, it shouldn't matter at all how you lot know the person every bit long as y'all each take a divide witness. For my own courthouse wedding, my blood brother was my witness, and my husband's dad was his witness, simply any combination would, equally far equally I know, have been just fine.

Question: How practice I get a marriage license?

Reply: Getting a marriage license is pretty piece of cake. Hither's what I remember us doing (keeping in heed that the process may be a piffling different country to state):

1. Both of us went to the canton offices (if you don't know exactly where to go, only Google your canton'due south government building and and then phone call them up and inquire specifically where to get and what to bring with you lot)

2. We both filled out paperwork - this just verified our names, social security numbers and that we were applying to marry each other.

3. Nigh iii business organization days later my fiancé ran into the authorities building and picked up the union license. It was proficient for thirty days and then we take a full month to get married before it expired.

I think in total, the cost of the union license was no more $xxx.00

© 2013 Kierstin Gunsberg

Gene Fitch Oliver Jr. on March 06, 2020:

Can I go married on the weekend without a appointment

sammie johnson on November 10, 2019:

Is courtroom house marriages posted in the newspaper?

cecilia on August xiv, 2019:

can the bride wak downward the aise

Util on July 24, 2019:

You have to brand an appointment or you lot just walking for the anniversary

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse Urban center, Michigan on Feb 05, 2019:

Jennifer, if you're an American citizen so you shouldn't need your passport equally some American citizens don't have i. Y'all only need a valid form of ID such as a driver's license or State I.D.

If you're unsure what to bring you tin always call up your local courthouse and ask.

Jennifer on February 04, 2019:

Im american citizen do i need to have a passaport to go married

Kenneth Avery on May 21, 2018:

Hullo, Kierstin -- no, give thanks you lot, proficient friend, for the kindness. I tin can say that by the Grace of God, there am I. Going to one of my regular doctor'due south appointment tomorrow and and so have an early dinner then dwelling house. The round-trip really wipes me out.

Sorry. I do not feel like giving yous whatever Beach Boys references.

You stay in touch with me.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on May 21, 2018:

Kenneth, thanks for the update! Though I was upset to hear you were having health issues, I'g glad that you're on the upswing.

Kierstin Gunsberg (writer) from Traverse City, Michigan on May 21, 2018:

Tom, you tin can call your court house to find out for sure only when I got married I only paid the marriage license fee. I don't think I had to pay a fee for the quick courthouse ceremony. Though, equally I said, you should still call and check since regulations tin can vary from land to country.

Tom on May 21, 2018:

Simply want to go married at the court business firm license $77.o what is the fee for the courtroom house.

Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on May 04, 2018:

Hi, Kierstin -- equally per your nice phrase, "as life goes," in your reply to my comment, I tin can tell y'all that in all honesty, (my) "life goes" category can be labeled equally "Life/Health Issues."

I have had two strokes and a bout with congestive heart failure and with the Grace of God, (which I say unapologetically and with respect), I am notwithstanding living.

Of form, I am under the care of a eye specialist and his troupe of nurse practitioners and bookkeepers, etc.

This was and is the truth. I am not as young every bit I used to be and I know now the value of dreams.

Stay in touch with me and my best to you, Kierstin.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on May 04, 2018:

Hi, Mirta! This I don't know for sure merely if you call your canton courthouse they should be able to answer the question for you.

Mirta on May 01, 2018:

practise they accept nascence certificates from foreign contries?

Kierstin Gunsberg (writer) from Traverse City, Michigan on February 26, 2018:

Howdy, Andrew! Yeah, nascency certificates can be quite the conundrum. Since retrieving a birth document varies from state to state, the first matter you need to do is find the vital records website for the state that you lot were born in and find out what their requirements for obtaining a new copy are.

Too, call the county that you are planning to go married in and ask what their requirements are considering some counties don't fifty-fifty require a birth certificate.

Andrew Richard on February 25, 2018:

My name is Andrew Richard and my ffiancee is getting married in June she has her Social Security and nascency certificate commuter license. I have social security carte state ID but I lost my birth certificate we both have SSI checks and we like to get married she'll exist here June 1st or to 2d and would like to go on our lives in Florida tin you help us please nosotros are in love

Christina Teal on February 08, 2018:

Hey you lot my fiance and I will exist married on Valentine's day I'm a little nervous considering he doesn't have his birth document I'd or ss card lol helllllpppppll

Kierstin Gunsberg (writer) from Traverse Metropolis, Michigan on January 25, 2018:

Helen, I think that's a really fantastic idea! If I had had more forethought, the one thing I would become dorsum and do is hire a lensman.

A few things I tin think of to attain your audition is:

- Through Facebook. I know that at that place are a lot of changes coming to pages and ads on Facebook but I nevertheless recollect it's a good idea. You can utilize specific keywords similar "Courthouse Wedding Photographer" in your name to help people locate yous in search.

- Local tourist guides, like those ones that sit out in eating house lobbies and feature a lot of ads. Locals read those (I'1000 one of them)!

- Give-and-take of rima oris. You could ask local florists and dress shops if you lot can go out a stack of cards on their annals and tell them you'd be willing to list them also on your own website.

Good luck, I think it could exist a very lucrative niche!

Helen P Cherry on January 25, 2018:

I am a thirty year pro nuptials lensman. I want to photograph courthouse wedding during the week. Trying to figure out how to get to these couples to offer my services.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on January 22, 2018:

Wow Roy, it sounds similar i of those "When you lot know, you know" moments! Congratulations!

Roy Dean on January 20, 2018:

Nosotros got a courtroom business firm wedding, We were married July 31 1984 at 5:05 .after three solar day of knowing each other. We been happy married for 32 years

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on January 15, 2018:

Patricia, I'k glad to hear that you two are however friends and that you lot can recollect your matrimony with fondness!

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on Jan 13, 2018:

In Albany Georgia in the courthouse my future husband and I were remarried. I tin remember it now as if it just happened...the date was August 31 1971. I wore a brown and beige dress that was belted at the waist. We remained married for ix years and then parted ways. Many fond memories remain and nosotros are notwithstanding friends. Angels are on the way this morning ps

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on January 12, 2018:

Sharon, cheers for sharing with me :) It's but been 5 years for the states but I truly don't regret the way nosotros got married. I recollect it set a relaxed precedence for the rest of our life together.

Sharlee on Jan 08, 2018:

I so enjoyed your article... My husband and I were married at a courthouse. We have been married 51 years, and still remember our wedding twenty-four hours every bit a day that was special, and one of the happiest days of our lives. Cheers for stirring a wonderful retentivity...

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on December 27, 2017:

Hi Lucinda, yes, you lot volition need to brand an appointment to get married at the courthouse. You tin can normally do this just by calling and reserving a time slot.

The other thing you need to brand sure yous have is a wedlock license and in most states there is a waiting period of a few days afterwards filing.

Lucinda Garcia on December 27, 2017:

If i wamted gwt arried tomorrow in the couet business firm do i need to make appointment

psyraubie48 on November 13, 2017:

Silly me...did notknowbeing married in the courthouse was taboo in 1971 when I married my daughter'due south daddy.

Kierstin Gunsberg (writer) from Traverse Urban center, Michigan on Oct fourteen, 2017:

Hey, Lori! She can absolutely bring her infant! If she wants to call and double check with her local courthouse, that couldn't hurt but I've never heard of that beingness an event (and I had a minor, a 7-twelvemonth-old at my own courthouse nuptials).

Equally far as I know at that place are no clothes requirements, I don't see coming in jeans being an issue at all. They'll probably wand ya down to brand sure you're not carrying any contraband (and then romantic!) but other than that, it's pretty coincidental.

Lori on October 13, 2017:

Can y'all bring your 5 calendar month old baby? My daughter is getting married next week and wants to bring her baby. Likewise, they want to come in jeans! Any apparel requirements?

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on October 03, 2017:

One time yous obtain your marriage license you don't take to get married at the court firm, Jaqueline. Yous can use it to have an officiant hold a ceremony. Wherever and whenever you get married, you only must have a matrimony license.

Jaqueline Silva on October 03, 2017:

After aply for a martiage license nosotros have to go to the court firm or nosotros tin get someone oficiat to marry us on a ceremony volition exist? Thats my question

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse Metropolis, Michigan on September 26, 2017:

Thanks for reading, Larry! When my husband and I were preparing to get married I had so many questions about how to really Go married - there'due south a lot of red record that can be difficult to discover information on, so that'south why I wrote this article.

Originally, nosotros were planning a wedding just every attribute of it just felt so stressful that information technology was like trying to run through mud - it wasn't fun. Nosotros called off our wedding, floundered in a weird limbo of being engaged only having no idea how we were going to become about tying the knot and then one day we just looked at each other and said, "This is really stupid. Allow'south just go go married!" Over 5 years in I can still say that was an a-plus decision and the best way to start off our marriage - on our Ain terms.

Happy nigh-anniversary to you lot and your wife! 47 years is quite the risk.

Larry W Fish from Raleigh on September 25, 2017:

This is an splendid commodity, Kierstin. I know so many people spend a lot of money on a fancy wedding that strains their budget to the max. If ii people are in love information technology doesn't matter if information technology is a simple wedding in a courthouse or the wedding like they are royalty. As an example I was a immature Airmen stationed in the Philippines when I met a young Filipino woman that worked in the Airmen'south club on Clark AFB in the Philippines. Naturally we were both struggling for money. And so we had a simple wedding at our rented domicile and was married by a judge. I guess keeping information technology simple works, my wife and I will be married 47 years in December.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on August 16, 2017:

Howdy Melinda! It depends on your canton/country. Here in Michigan nosotros had to wait three days. I would just google "Marriage license [your county]" and your county website should come upwardly with the information.

Melinda on August xiv, 2017:

Hi afterward getting the hymeneals licence how long tin can you wait to become married? Is there available appointment pretty close i mean tin can i get married the adjacent day?

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse Metropolis, Michigan on August 06, 2017:

Hey Kenneth! I know how life goes - information technology gets decorated :) Cheers for taking the time to stop by and read again though!

Kierstin Gunsberg (writer) from Traverse City, Michigan on August 06, 2017:

Karen, I did get married at the court business firm :) Five years agone on Tuesday, actually!

Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on July 21, 2017:

Hi, Kiersten!

Practice you hateful that it has been Iii years since I commented on this fine hub?

I have to acknowledge this to you, but " I am then, then sorry. I inquire your forgiveness. But there is a solid reason: Life happens in ways that even your talent of writing cannot fathom ."

Again, I am sorry for not responding equally much.

Peace.

And keep writing these corking pieces.

Karen Hellier from Georgia on July 18, 2017:

Nice hub, and what a bully thought too. I love the pictures you included. I institute myself wondering if y'all really got married at a courthouse?

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on July 12, 2017:

Hey Keith! My husband and I got married in a Michigan court house and my brother was my witness and his dad was his witness. My understanding is that in nearly states whether y'all get married in a courthouse or a traditional ceremony, each partner needs to have a witness to sign the spousal relationship certificate. It wouldn't hurt to just ring up the courthouse yous program to go married at and notice out for sure, merely I feel comfy giving you a solid yes, y'all need a witness (two, actually) to get married at the courthouse.

Keith on July 10, 2017:

Do you have to have a witness to become married at court house?

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on June nineteen, 2017:

Amber, that'southward Non a silly question and it's also one I don't have a solid answer to because laws seem to vary by state. From my general understanding a witness will need to be 21 years of historic period and in some places has to be a non-relative. Yet, in Michigan I was the witness (I was 21) for my sis when she got married so your best bet is to call the courthouse you programme to get married at and get the official give-and-take from them and then you tin can programme :)

Amber on June 18, 2017:

I know this is a silly question, just how old can a witness be? My sister is 17 and getting married in July and I want her to be my witness when I get married at the courthouse in October.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on January 26, 2017:

Admittedly, Gabrielle. I can understand that. In many courthouses y'all actually tin can walk down a little aisle - like between the rows of chairs. Getting married at the courthouse is definitely not for everyone though, particularly if y'all experience you lot'll regret some of the details of a bigger celebration.

Gabrielle on January 26, 2017:

The only thing I don't like about having a courthouse wedding is my dad won't be able to walk me down the aisle. This is merely thing that's keeping me from doing this.

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on December xiv, 2016:

Hey Roxanne, I don't have clear answers for your state of affairs but I hope that everything worked out. I would gauge that he would need a valid ID (doesn't have to be a driver's license, it could most likely also be a State ID) and no warrants out. The courthouse is not somewhere that 1 can easily hide those sorts of circumstances.

All-time of luck.

roxanne on October 22, 2016:

What if your spouse doest accept an id... Also.... warrant for his Arrest. ?? Plz assistance I'm then worried but really want to get married !!

Patricia Scott from N Central Florida on June xiv, 2016:

O my...courthouse wedding...I hope you loved it as much as it sounds like you might.

I was married at the courthouse in Albany, GA, in 1972. (We had 9+ pretty good years together). Our marriage came off with no fanfare but it was perfect for us at the time.

Angels are on the way to you this evening. ps

Kierstin Gunsberg (author) from Traverse City, Michigan on May eighteen, 2016:

Hey JH, we didn't say vows. The day we were set to get married the magistrate was conveniently gone (boo!) but they scrambled to find a judge and he was and so excited to not exist on trial that he wanted to go far special so he said a few words and ended it with "you may now kiss your bride!" but typically you'll just meet with the magistrate and sign the marriage license. No vows!

JH on May 14, 2016:

when yous go married in the courthouse do you have to say vows? or practice they just sign and your washed?

Sukhneet Kaur Bhatti from India on March 14, 2016:

interesting hub

Alicia Bell from Farmington, Maine on January 21, 2016:

I beloved this!! My hubby and I were married at our Town Office and had a wonderful time- simply the 2 of us. I think this commodity on the Courthouse wedding is admittedly wonderful and filled with neat data.

ChinaSimmonds on December xxx, 2015:

I am nervous nearly getting hitched at the courthouse, I do wish to hold a real ceremony in Vegas at 1 of their wedding chapels. Only information technology will be simply the two of u.s.a. and I am not asking for any of my friends or family to be our witness, beingness that we would have to pay for their flight and food so wish usa luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenneth hatmaker on Baronial 24, 2015:

Me and my daughter are gettin marryed in a week and i cant await

Emily Solorzano from Chino, California on August sixteen, 2015:

Thank you and so much for this! I've been toying with this idea for a while and think I finally decided it's what I desire, and seeing all this really helps me form a ameliorate idea!

Jonas Rodrigo on July 27, 2015:

Funny title and very informative content. Smashing task on this hub, Kierstin!

luckyinlove on July 08, 2015:

Ur marrying the i u love not ur family unit or friends so follow ur eye & get married where ever u feel!! I did information technology also bad it didnt terminal but information technology was him not where we married!!

Kayla on October 13, 2014:

Loved reading this! Yous're on the same page as me. This is exactly how my fiancé and I experience, 1 week from now we volition exist doing the same matter!

Kierstin Gunsberg (writer) from Traverse City, Michigan on Oct 07, 2014:

Bravewarrior, I loved my piddling courthouse wedding ceremony! If I could do information technology all once again though, I would have had a lensman, and a reception afterward. I do regret those two things. That being said, two years and a surprise baby later on, we're nevertheless actually glad for the manner our wedding day played out. It was a repose, lovely day and I don't remember I got stressed once (except when the magistrate didn't show up--but the day was saved by a judge who was super excited to "marry" the states!)

Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on May 28, 2014:

Hello, Kierstin,

Slap-up read. Wonderful story and presentation. Never read a story about getting hitched at the courthouse, but you lot nailed it.

Voted up and away--keep up the groovy work.

I cordially-invite you to read a couple of my hubs and and so become one of my followers.

I would dear that.

Kenneth Avery/ from northwest Alabama

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on March 15, 2013:

My second hubby and I got married at the courthouse. Nosotros were planning a uncomplicated hymeneals in a park by the h2o. When friends started butting in and making it more gradiose than we wanted, we opted for the courthouse. It was only the two of the states. I wore a brim and top I'd picked up at a consignment store. No flowers, no frills. We had no reception, rather headed to the embankment for the weekend.

Six years afterwards nosotros got divorced at the aforementioned courthouse!

vondoussadrinnera.blogspot.com

Source: https://holidappy.com/party-planning/How-to-Get-Married-at-a-Courthouse-in-Michigan

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