Boston City Hall Wedding

At a Glance

What Makes a Boston City Hall Wedding Special

Boston City Hall is not a pretty building. Completed in 1968, its raw concrete Brutalist design has divided Bostonians for decades. Some call it a masterpiece of mid-century civic architecture. Others want it demolished. But inside those angular walls, thousands of couples have started their marriages with a short, meaningful civil ceremony and walked out into one of America’s most historic cities.

What sets a Boston City Hall wedding apart from other courthouse weddings is the choice of two ceremony rooms. Room 213 on the second floor holds up to 20 guests standing and has space for a small family gathering. Room 601 on the sixth floor is a more intimate space for approximately 2-4 guests, built for couples who want a quiet elopement. Most city halls across the country give you one room. Boston gives you two, each with a different atmosphere.

The Government Center location seals the deal. Step outside after your civil ceremony and you’re a short walk from Faneuil Hall, the cobblestone streets of Boston’s North End, the harbor waterfront, and the Public Garden. Your post-ceremony photo tour covers some of the best backdrops of any city hall wedding venue in the Northeast.

Step by Step: How to Get Married at Boston City Hall

Getting married at Boston City Hall takes two visits separated by a mandatory three-day waiting period. Here’s the full timeline from start to finish:

1. Book your marriage license appointment online at boston.gov. Walk-ins are not accepted for marriage license applications. Both partners must attend together.

2. Visit Room 213 (Registry Department, 2nd floor) to file your Notice of Intention to Marry. Bring your IDs, supporting documents, and $50 application fee. You can start the intention form online after booking to save time at the window. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

3. Wait three days. Massachusetts state law requires a mandatory waiting period before your marriage license becomes active. You cannot apply and marry on the same day. Use this time to plan your ceremony details and confirm your ceremony booking.

4. Book your ceremony appointment for any date after the waiting period ends and before the license expires (60-day window). Choose Room 213 or Room 601 based on your party size.

5. Return on your ceremony day. Arrive 20-30 minutes early. You’ll go through security screening (metal detector at the entrance), then check in at the clerk’s window on the appropriate floor.

6. Exchange vows. A Justice of the Peace officiates a 10-15 minute civil ceremony. Exchange vows, exchange rings if you choose, and receive your pronouncement of marriage.

7. Get your certified marriage certificate. Copies are available from the Registry Department for $12 in person or $14 by mail. (Verify current fee when you visit.)

Marriage License Details

Documents Required

Both partners need to bring the following to their license appointment:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (U.S. passport, driver’s license, state ID, or military ID)
• Social Security number (or a written explanation if unavailable)
• Date and place of birth
• Parents’ full legal names, including mothers’ maiden names
• Whether your parents were married at the time of your birth
• Number of prior marriages, plus a certified divorce decree or annulment documentation if applicable

Marriage License Fee

The application fee is $50. Accepted payment methods: cash, debit card, credit card, or money order payable to “City of Boston.”

Where to Apply

Room 213, Registry Department, 2nd floor of Boston City Hall. Open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. An appointment booked through boston.gov is required.

License Validity Period

Your Massachusetts marriage license becomes active three days after filing and remains valid for 60 days. It is only recognized within Massachusetts. If you’re planning a ceremony elsewhere in the state (Cape Cod, the Berkshires), the same license covers you.

Blood Test Requirement

None. Massachusetts eliminated mandatory premarital blood tests years ago.

Marriage Without Delay Waiver

If urgent circumstances require you to marry before the three-day waiting period ends, you can petition a Massachusetts District Court for a Marriage Without Delay waiver. The court filing fee is $195. Judges grant these at their discretion, and they are not commonly issued.

Ceremony Details

Two Ceremony Rooms at Boston City Hall

Boston City Hall offers two distinct locations for civil wedding ceremonies:

Room 213 (Registry Department, 2nd Floor)

• Capacity: up to 14 seated guests or 20 standing
• Best for couples who want family and close friends present
• Contact: 617-635-4175 or registry@boston.gov

Room 601 (City Clerk’s Office, 6th Floor)

• Capacity: approximately 2-4 guests
• Best for elopements and couples who prefer a private ceremony
• Contact: 617-635-2684 or marriage@boston.gov

Ceremony Schedule

Civil ceremonies are performed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday only. No ceremonies on Wednesdays, weekends, or city holidays.

• Morning session: 10:00 a.m. to approximately 11:15-11:30 a.m.
• Afternoon session: 2:00 p.m. to approximately 3:15-3:30 p.m.

Note: Room 601 may only offer afternoon ceremony slots on Mondays and Tuesdays, with both morning and afternoon sessions available Thursday and Friday. Confirm availability directly when booking.

Ceremony Fee

The civil ceremony costs $75, cash only. Bring exact change. Late arrival incurs an additional $25 fee.

What Happens During the Ceremony

A Justice of the Peace officiates your Boston City Hall wedding ceremony. Here’s what to expect:

• Check in at the clerk’s window after clearing building security
• The officiant leads you through the exchange of vows (personal vows are welcome)
• Ring exchange is optional
• The Justice of the Peace pronounces you married and signs your marriage license on the spot
• The entire ceremony takes approximately 10-15 minutes

After Your Ceremony

Order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Registry Department:

• In person: $12 per copy
• By mail: $14 per copy

(Fees subject to change. Verify at time of visit.)

Name changes with the Social Security Administration, Massachusetts RMV, and U.S. Passport Office are handled separately after the wedding.

Photography and Guest Tips

Photography at Boston City Hall

Photography is permitted during and after your ceremony. If professional wedding photos matter to you, hire a photographer who has shot at Boston City Hall before. The building’s interior has limited natural light, so experience with the space makes a real difference in your results.

Best Photo Locations Near Boston City Hall

All of these spots are within walking distance of Government Center:

• Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market for a classic colonial Boston backdrop with historic architecture
• Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park for greenery and Boston Harbor views
• Boston Harbor for open sky, water reflections, and the city skyline
• Boston’s North End for cobblestone streets, brick rowhouses, and old-world New England character
• Boston Common and the Public Garden for the Swan Boats, mature trees, and wide open green space
• Old State House for one of Boston’s most recognizable historic landmarks

Plan a walking route between 2-3 of these spots before your ceremony day. Moving from City Hall to the waterfront to the North End is a natural loop that keeps you walking in one direction.

Guest Capacity

• Room 213: Up to 14 seated or 20 standing
• Room 601: Approximately 2-4 guests

Pick your room based on your guest count. If your party exceeds 20, a city hall ceremony will be too tight.

Practical Tips for Your Boston City Hall Wedding

Parking. Nearby parking garages include 75 State Street, Quincy Market Parking at 60 State Street, and LAZ Parking at 28 State Street. If you plan a walking photo tour after the ceremony, park near your final stop rather than near City Hall.

Public transit. State Street Station on the MBTA Orange and Blue Lines is one block from Boston City Hall. Taking the T removes parking stress and keeps you mobile for post-ceremony plans.

Arrive early. Budget 20-30 minutes before your scheduled ceremony time. Building security (metal detector screening) and finding the correct floor and office take longer than you’d expect. Late arrival means a $25 penalty fee.

Best times to book. Friday ceremony slots fill the fastest. Morning sessions are typically less crowded than afternoon sessions. If your schedule allows, a Monday or Tuesday morning appointment will be the calmest, most relaxed experience.

What to wear. There is no dress code at Boston City Hall. Couples wear everything from jeans to full wedding attire. Wear whatever feels right. Just remember you’ll be walking through a government building and possibly through Boston’s streets for photos, so choose comfortable shoes.

Bring cash. The $75 ceremony fee is cash only. The $50 license fee accepts cards, but don’t assume card payment works everywhere in the building.

Interpreter services. If either partner needs language interpretation, contact the Registry Department in advance at 617-635-4175 to arrange an interpreter for your appointment and ceremony.

Book dinner early. If you’re celebrating afterward, make restaurant reservations ahead of time. North End Italian restaurants and waterfront spots fill up quickly, especially on Friday evenings.

Check holiday closures. Boston City Hall closes on all federal and Massachusetts state holidays. Confirm your target date isn’t affected before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get married the same day you apply for a marriage license in Boston?

No. Massachusetts requires a mandatory three-day waiting period after you file your Notice of Intention to Marry. You’ll need to visit Boston City Hall twice: once to apply for your marriage license and once for the ceremony, at least three days apart. If you need to skip the waiting period, you can petition a Massachusetts court for a Marriage Without Delay waiver ($195 fee), though judges grant these only for urgent circumstances.

Do you need witnesses for a Boston City Hall wedding?

No. Massachusetts law does not require witnesses for civil marriage ceremonies. Your guests are welcome to attend and watch, but no one needs to sign the marriage license as a witness. If it’s just the two of you, that works.

Can you write your own vows at a Boston City Hall ceremony?

Yes. The Justice of the Peace officiating your ceremony will accommodate personal vows. You can also add a ring exchange if you’d like. The ceremony runs approximately 10-15 minutes with or without custom elements.

How much does a Boston City Hall wedding cost in total?

The standard cost is $125: $50 for the marriage license application plus $75 for the ceremony fee (cash only). Add $12-$14 for a certified marriage certificate copy. If you need to waive the three-day waiting period, the court petition costs an additional $195. For a typical Boston City Hall wedding, budget approximately $140 all in.