At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Cost | ~$220+ (public license $176 + civil ceremony $44) |
| Most Popular Location | Beverly Hills Courthouse, 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 |
| All Locations | 7 LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk branches |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Waiting Period | None. License valid immediately. |
| Guest Limit | Express: no guests inside. Civil ceremony: 10-20 guests. |
| Residency Requirement | None |
| Witness Requirement | Public license: 1 witness required. Confidential: none. |
| License Validity | 90 days from issuance |
| Book Online | lavote.gov |
What Makes Los Angeles Special
Los Angeles County runs one of the largest courthouse wedding operations in the country, with seven Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) branch offices spread across the county. You’re not limited to a single downtown location. Pick the branch that works best for your schedule: Beverly Hills, Van Nuys, Norwalk, East Los Angeles, Florence/Firestone, LAX Courthouse, or Lancaster.
Here’s something most couples don’t realize: the famous downtown LA City Hall building, the white Art Deco tower you’ve seen in movies and TV shows, does not actually handle marriages. All marriage licenses and civil ceremonies in Los Angeles County go through the RR/CC branch offices instead. The Beverly Hills Courthouse is the most popular choice, partly because Beverly Hills City Hall sits just one block away. That 1930s Spanish Renaissance building makes a gorgeous photo backdrop right after your ceremony.
California also makes the legal side straightforward. There’s no waiting period, no blood test, and no residency requirement. You can pick up your marriage license and get married the same day. And if you want something more personal than a county deputy clerk reading your vows, LA County offers a Deputy Commissioner for a Day program. For $75, a friend or family member gets temporarily deputized to officiate your ceremony. It’s one of the most meaningful (and affordable) upgrades you can add to your courthouse wedding day.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Married in Los Angeles
90 Days Before Your Wedding
Start your online marriage license pre-application at lavote.gov. This saves significant time at your in-person appointment later. You can also book your ceremony appointment up to 90 days in advance. Popular locations like Beverly Hills fill up fast, so don’t wait.
2-3 Weeks Before
Both of you must appear together in person at any LA County RR/CC branch office to complete your marriage license application. You have 15 days from your online pre-application to do this. Bring:
- Valid government-issued photo ID for both parties (driver’s license, state ID, passport, or alien resident card)
- Dissolution or annulment paperwork if either party was previously married
- Notarized certified translations for any non-English documents
- Payment: cash, check with ID, money order, or credit/debit card
You can schedule your civil ceremony at the same visit, or call 1-800-201-8999 (Option 1, then Option 2) to book it separately.
1 Week Before
Confirm your witness situation. If you chose a public marriage license, you need at least one witness with a valid government-issued photo ID. Your photographer can serve as your witness if needed. Otherwise, the courthouse can provide one for about $26.
Planning professional photos at Beverly Hills City Hall after the ceremony? Check photography permit requirements with the City of Beverly Hills now. Casual phone photos are generally tolerated, but professional shoots with equipment may require a permit.
Wedding Day
Arrive 15-30 minutes before your scheduled appointment with:
- Your signed marriage license
- Photo IDs for both parties
- Your witness (for public licenses)
You’ll choose one of two ceremony types:
- Express ceremony: A few minutes long, minimal vows, no guests allowed inside. Best for couples who want the legal paperwork handled quickly.
- Civil ceremony: About 10 minutes, more personalized vows, up to 10-20 guests can attend. The better choice if you want photos, loved ones present, or any kind of wedding atmosphere.
After the ceremony, your officiant files the signed marriage license with the county within 10 days. Your certified marriage certificate arrives by mail.
Marriage License Details
Los Angeles County issues two types of marriage licenses. Both allow you to marry the same day you receive them.
Public vs. Confidential Marriage License
| Feature | Public License | Confidential License |
|---|---|---|
| Fee (2026) | ~$176 | ~$220 |
| Witness Required | Yes (at least 1) | No |
| Valid Where | Statewide (all of California) | LA County only |
| Public Record | Yes, searchable | No |
| Special Requirement | None | Both parties must be currently cohabiting |
Important fee update: LA County approved a significant fee increase in September 2025. Many online guides and wedding blogs still show the old fees ($91 for public, $85 for confidential). Current fees are roughly double those figures. Always verify pricing at lavote.gov before you set your budget.
Required Documents
- Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for both parties
- If previously married: written proof of dissolution or annulment (required within the last 2 years; date only needed if longer ago)
- Prior domestic partnership dissolution documentation, if applicable
- All documents must be in English or include a notarized certified translation
License Validity
Your LA County marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. California has no waiting period, so you can use it immediately. Both parties must be 18 or older (minors require parental consent and court approval), currently unmarried, and appear together in person to apply.
Ceremony Details
Express vs. Civil Ceremony
| Feature | Express Ceremony | Civil Ceremony |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | A few minutes | ~10 minutes |
| Cost | ~$44 | ~$44 |
| Guests Allowed | None (wait outside) | 10-20 people |
| Vows | Minimal, standard | More personalized |
| Beverly Hills Availability | Throughout the week | Wednesday, Thursday, Friday* |
*Check lavote.gov for current ceremony schedules. Availability varies by branch location.
All ceremonies at LA County RR/CC offices require an appointment and must be prepaid. Walk-in ceremonies are not available.
Officiant Options
County deputy clerk (default): A Registrar-Recorder staff member performs your ceremony. This is included in the $44 ceremony fee.
Deputy Commissioner for a Day ($75): LA County temporarily deputizes a friend or family member as an official ceremony performer. They receive the legal authority of a county official for your wedding day. Apply through the RR/CC office when you schedule your ceremony.
Online-ordained officiant: California legally recognizes online ordinations. A friend ordained through an online ministry can officiate your ceremony at no additional county cost. This gives you complete control over the ceremony script and tone.
Photography and Guest Tips
The Beverly Hills Two-Building Strategy
The ceremony happens at Beverly Hills Courthouse (9355 Burton Way). The photogenic building, the one with the gorgeous architecture that looks incredible in wedding photos, is Beverly Hills City Hall (455 N Rexford Dr). They’re one block apart.
The standard plan: ceremony at the courthouse, then a short walk to City Hall for your wedding photos. Other popular nearby photo spots include Rodeo Drive and Beverly Gardens Park.
Professional photography at Beverly Hills City Hall and nearby public spaces may require a permit from the City of Beverly Hills. Casual photos with your phone are generally fine, but professional photographers with full equipment have been stopped by security without permits. Have your photographer check permit requirements before your wedding day.
Guest Rules
- Express ceremony: Guests wait outside the ceremony room. This option is just for the two of you and the officiant.
- Civil ceremony: Up to 10-20 guests can attend and watch your vows.
- Both ceremony types cost the same (~$44), so if having people present matters to you, choose the civil ceremony.
Witness Requirements
- Public marriage license: At least one witness required, with valid government-issued photo ID
- Confidential marriage license: No witness needed
- Money-saving tip: Your photographer can double as your witness, saving the ~$26 courthouse witness fee
Practical Tips
Verify all fees at lavote.gov. The September 2025 fee increase caught many couples off guard, and most wedding blogs still show outdated prices. Check current pricing before you plan your budget.
Book your appointment early. Beverly Hills Courthouse appointments fill up weeks in advance. Schedule as soon as you know your preferred date, up to 90 days ahead.
Apply online first. The lavote.gov pre-application takes about 15 minutes and significantly cuts down your time at the in-person appointment.
Order extra certified marriage certificates. You’ll need copies for Social Security name changes, DMV updates, passport amendments, and bank account updates. Order several at the time of filing (~$15-17 per copy).
Arrange translations early. Non-English documents require notarized certified translations. This can take days or weeks depending on your translator, so don’t leave it to the last minute.
Consider all seven locations. Beverly Hills is the most popular, but the other six RR/CC branches across LA County may have earlier availability and shorter waits. Van Nuys and Norwalk are solid alternatives.
Look at Orange County for walk-ins. The Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana accepts walk-in ceremonies and has a historic, traditional courthouse feel. If LA County’s appointment-only system doesn’t work for your timeline, it’s a short drive south.
Budget beyond the license. The license and ceremony fees are your starting point. Add professional photography ($200-800), flowers ($50-200), outfits, and a celebration meal, and an LA courthouse wedding typically costs between $250 and $3,000+.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a courthouse wedding cost in Los Angeles?
The minimum cost is about $220 for a public marriage license ($176) plus a civil ceremony ($44). A confidential license brings the total to approximately $264 with the ceremony fee. Additional costs include a courthouse-provided witness ($26 if needed), the Deputy Commissioner for a Day program ($75 to have a friend officiate), and certified marriage certificate copies ($15-17 each). Always verify current fees at lavote.gov. A September 2025 fee increase changed pricing significantly from what most online guides still show.
Do I need to live in Los Angeles to get married there?
No. There is no residency or citizenship requirement to get married in Los Angeles County. Anyone can apply for a marriage license and have a civil ceremony at any of the seven RR/CC branch offices. The only geographic restriction: a confidential marriage license is only valid within LA County, while a public license works anywhere in California.
Can I bring guests to my LA courthouse wedding?
It depends on which ceremony type you choose. An express ceremony does not allow guests inside the room. A civil ceremony allows 10-20 guests to attend and witness your vows. Both types cost the same (~$44), so if having loved ones present matters, choose the civil ceremony when you book.
Can a friend officiate my courthouse wedding in Los Angeles?
Yes, and you have two good options. LA County’s Deputy Commissioner for a Day program ($75) temporarily deputizes your chosen person as an official ceremony performer. Alternatively, California legally recognizes online ordinations, so a friend ordained through an online ministry can perform your ceremony at no extra county cost. Both options give you a more personal ceremony than the default county deputy clerk reading.
