Dallas City Hall Wedding

At a Glance

What Makes a Dallas Courthouse Wedding Special

Most cities give you one courthouse, one judge, and one time slot. Dallas County gives you five. At least five Justice of the Peace courts perform civil wedding ceremonies across the county, from the North Dallas Government Center off LBJ Freeway to the Grand Prairie Government Center on the west side. Each court has its own judge, its own courtroom, its own scheduling, and its own character. You pick the one that fits how you want your Dallas courthouse wedding to feel.

That variety translates into real differences for your wedding day. JP Court 3-2 has a courtroom with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides, filling the space with natural light that produces genuinely good wedding photos without any extra setup. JP Court 3-1 has the most seating in the county, with gallery benches for 60 guests plus a jury box for overflow, and welcomes custom vows. JP Courts 2-1 and 4-1 will come to you, performing offsite ceremonies at a park, venue, or private home of your choosing. If you want a Spanish-language ceremony, JP 3-2 and JP 2-1 both offer that option.

The legal side is simple. Texas requires no state residency, no blood test, and no witnesses for a marriage ceremony. A couple from anywhere in the country can walk into the Dallas County Clerk’s office, apply for a Dallas County marriage license, and have a legal wedding performed by a Justice of the Peace. Your license works anywhere in Texas for 90 days, so if plans change between the license and the ceremony, you have flexibility.

Step by Step: How to Get Married at the Dallas County Courthouse

A Dallas courthouse wedding happens in two stages: getting your marriage license at the Dallas County Clerk’s office, then having your civil ceremony at a Justice of the Peace court. Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period between the two unless you qualify for a waiver.

1. Complete a Twogether in Texas course (optional but recommended). This state-approved 8-hour premarital education course waives the 72-hour waiting period and reduces your marriage license fee. If you want a same-day or next-day Dallas courthouse wedding, or you just want to save money, complete this before you apply. Find approved courses at twogetherintexas.com.

2. Fill out the online pre-application. Visit the Dallas County website and complete the marriage license application. Write down your order number. You need it at the clerk’s office.

3. Visit the Dallas County Clerk’s office together. Both partners must appear in person at 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202. Bring all required documents (see Marriage License Details below). Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can also book an appointment. Arrive on time for appointments: the clerk cancels after 10 minutes.

4. Pay the marriage license fee. The standard Dallas County marriage license fee is $81. (Call (214) 653-7099 to verify the current fee before your visit, as one source lists it at $60.) Completing the Twogether in Texas course reduces this amount.

5. Wait 72 hours (or skip it). Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period between license issuance and the wedding ceremony. This is waived if you completed Twogether in Texas, are active-duty military, or get a written waiver from a judge.

6. Choose a Justice of the Peace court and book your ceremony. Dallas County has at least five JP courts performing wedding ceremonies, each with different strengths. See the Ceremony Details section for a full comparison. Contact your chosen court directly to schedule.

7. Show up and get married. Bring your issued marriage license. Your JP ceremony takes 5 to 10 minutes. After the pronouncement, you and your spouse sign the license.

8. Get certified copies of your marriage certificate. Order at least 10 certified copies for name changes with the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport office, and financial institutions.

Dallas County Marriage License Details

Documents You Need for Your Dallas Marriage License

Both partners must bring the following to the Dallas County Clerk’s office:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (the card itself is not required; a printout or payroll stub showing your number is acceptable)
• Certified divorce decree or death certificate if either party was previously married
• Twogether in Texas certificate if you completed the premarital education course

Dallas County Marriage License Fees

(Call (214) 653-7099 to confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods before visiting.)

Eligibility Requirements

• Both partners must be at least 18 years old (ages 16-17 require parental consent and a court order)
• Both partners must appear in person together
• No Texas residency required
• No blood test required
• If either party divorced within the last 30 days, a separate 30-day post-divorce waiting period applies (distinct from the 72-hour license waiting period)

Marriage License Validity

Your Texas marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If it expires without a ceremony, you must reapply and pay the fee again. Apply 30 to 60 days before your preferred ceremony date for scheduling flexibility without risking expiration. The license is valid statewide, so you can have your ceremony anywhere in Texas.

Dallas Courthouse Wedding Ceremony Details

Choosing Your Justice of the Peace Court

Dallas County has at least five JP courts performing wedding ceremonies. Each operates independently with its own fees, schedule, and courtroom setup.

JP Court 3-2 (Judge Steve Seider): Best for Wedding Photos

• Location: North Dallas Government Center, 6820 LBJ Freeway, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75230
• Phone: (214) 904-3042
• Email: JP32Weddings@DallasCounty.org
• Walk-in hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
• Appointment hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
• Courtroom: Bench seating for approximately 60 guests, floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides
• Languages: English or Spanish

JP 3-2 is the top choice for couples who care about their wedding photos. The floor-to-ceiling windows flood the courtroom with natural light, and the room offers multiple vantage points for photography and video. If you’re hiring a photographer for your Dallas courthouse wedding, book this court.

JP Court 3-1 (Judge Adam M. Swartz): Best for Large Groups and Custom Vows

• Location: North Dallas Government Center, 6820 LBJ Freeway, Suite 3100, Dallas, TX 75240
• Phone: (214) 321-4106
• Email: JP31Wedding@DallasCounty.org
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (appointments and walk-ins)
• Courtroom: Gallery bench seating for 60 guests plus additional jury box seating
• Vows: Traditional, modern, religious/spiritual, or self-written vows welcomed
• Bonus: JP 3-1 also issues marriage licenses on Mondays and Thursdays, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (closed 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for lunch)

JP 3-1 has the most seating capacity of any Dallas County JP courtroom. The jury box overflow means your guest count can exceed 60. This court also welcomes custom vows: traditional, modern, religious, or entirely self-written. If personalizing your ceremony matters to you, JP 3-1 gives you that freedom.

JP Court 5-1: Appointment-Only, Structured Schedule

• Phone: (214) 943-6980
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Appointments required (no walk-ins)

JP 5-1 runs on a strict appointment schedule with no walk-in interruptions. If you prefer knowing exactly when your ceremony will start, this is a reliable option.

JP Court 2-1 (Judge O’Brien): Offsite Ceremonies in English or Spanish

• Phone: (214) 643-4706
• Languages: English or Spanish
• Offsite ceremonies available at your chosen location

JP 2-1 performs wedding ceremonies outside the courthouse. If you want the legal simplicity of a Justice of the Peace wedding at a venue, park, restaurant, or private home, contact this court.

JP Court 4-1 (Judge Jones): Grand Prairie Location, Offsite Available

• Location: Grand Prairie Government Center
• Email: jp41weddings@dallascounty.org
• Offsite ceremonies available

JP 4-1 is based in Grand Prairie on the western side of Dallas County. Good for couples in that area who want to avoid driving into Dallas proper. Like JP 2-1, offsite ceremonies are available.

Ceremony Fees

Weekend and holiday ceremonies require advance scheduling with your chosen JP court.

What to Expect During Your Dallas Civil Ceremony

A Dallas County courthouse wedding ceremony lasts 5 to 10 minutes. The Justice of the Peace performs a brief civil ceremony, you exchange vows (standard or custom depending on the court), and both spouses sign the marriage license along with the officiant. Ring exchanges are common; confirm with your JP when booking. The marriage is legal and binding once the license is signed.

Who Can Legally Officiate a Wedding in Texas

Under Texas Family Code Section 2.202, authorized officiants include:

• Justices of the Peace
• Licensed or ordained ministers, priests, and rabbis
• Current, former, or retired federal or state judges

You are not required to have a JP perform your ceremony. You can get your Dallas County marriage license and have any authorized officiant marry you anywhere in Texas within the 90-day window. Some couples get their license at the courthouse and hold a separate ceremony with a friend who became ordained online, a family member who is a minister, or a retired judge.

Photography and Guest Tips for Your Dallas Courthouse Wedding

Guest Capacity

JP Court 3-1 and JP Court 3-2 each seat approximately 60 guests, with JP 3-1 offering additional jury box seating. No published guest limits exist beyond courtroom capacity at any Dallas County JP court. Texas law does not require witnesses at a wedding ceremony, so a private couple-only courthouse elopement is fully legal.

Courthouse Wedding Photography

JP Court 3-2 is the best Dallas County option for wedding photography. Floor-to-ceiling windows on two walls provide strong, even natural light, and the courtroom layout gives photographers multiple shooting angles. JP 3-1 also has multiple vantage points for photos and video.

No JP court has published specific rules about professional photographers or videographers. Contact your chosen court before your wedding day to ask whether a professional photographer is welcome in the courtroom. Because courthouse ceremonies are brief (5 to 10 minutes), plan for most of your wedding photos to happen before or after the ceremony, either inside the building or at a nearby location.

Suggested Photo Locations

• JP Court 3-2 courtroom: Natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, multiple angles
• Outside the North Dallas Government Center: Exterior shots near the building
• Downtown Dallas near 500 Elm Street: Urban backdrop near the Records Building where you got your license

Practical Tips for Your Dallas Courthouse Wedding

Arrive early for your appointment. The Dallas County Clerk cancels appointments if you arrive more than 10 minutes late. Build extra time for parking and building security screening.

Apply online first. The County Clerk requires a pre-application on the Dallas County website before your in-person visit. Complete it at home and bring your order number.

Call to verify fees before visiting. Sources disagree on the exact marriage license fee ($81 vs. $60). Call the County Clerk at (214) 653-7099 for the current amount and accepted payment methods.

Plan around the 72-hour waiting period. Apply for your marriage license at least 3 days before your desired ceremony date. Or complete Twogether in Texas beforehand to skip the wait entirely and save on the license fee.

Choose your JP court based on what matters most. JP 3-2 for the best photos. JP 3-1 for the biggest guest list and custom vows. JP 5-1 for a structured appointment. JP 2-1 or JP 4-1 for an offsite ceremony at your own location.

Weekday ceremonies save $300. A weekday JP ceremony costs $100. Weekends and holidays cost $400. If your schedule is flexible, a weekday Dallas courthouse wedding is significantly cheaper.

No dress code requirements. Government buildings don’t publish dress codes for wedding ceremonies. Couples commonly wear anything from casual clothes to full wedding attire. Wear what feels right for your day.

Bring divorce or death documentation if applicable. If either partner was previously married, bring the certified divorce decree or death certificate. The clerk cannot issue your license without it.

Order certified copies right away. Request at least 10 certified copies of your marriage certificate. You need them for name changes in this order: Social Security Administration, then DMV, then passport office, then banks and insurance companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get married the same day you get your marriage license in Dallas?

Not without a waiver. Texas law requires a 72-hour waiting period between license issuance and the wedding ceremony. You can skip the wait by completing the Twogether in Texas premarital education course before applying, by being active-duty military, or by getting a written waiver from a judge. Without one of these, plan for at least a three-day gap between your license appointment and your Dallas courthouse wedding ceremony.

How much does a Dallas courthouse wedding cost in total?

A Dallas County marriage license costs $81, and a weekday Justice of the Peace ceremony costs $100, bringing the total to $181 for a weekday Dallas courthouse wedding. Weekend and holiday ceremonies cost $400, making the total $481. The Twogether in Texas premarital course reduces the license fee, though the exact discount varies by source. (Call (214) 653-7099 to verify the current license fee before planning your budget.)

Do you need witnesses for a courthouse wedding in Dallas?

No. Texas law does not require witnesses at a marriage ceremony. You can have a completely private ceremony with just the two of you and the Justice of the Peace. If you do want to bring guests, JP courtrooms in Dallas County seat approximately 60 people, with JP 3-1 offering additional overflow seating in the jury box.

Which Dallas County JP court is best for wedding photos?

JP Court 3-2 at the North Dallas Government Center (6820 LBJ Freeway, Suite 2100) has floor-to-ceiling windows on two walls that fill the courtroom with natural light. The layout provides multiple vantage points for photographers and videographers. Contact JP 3-2 at (214) 904-3042 or JP32Weddings@DallasCounty.org to schedule your Dallas courthouse wedding ceremony.