Sacramento City Hall Wedding

At a Glance

What Makes a Sacramento Courthouse Wedding Special

Sacramento is one of the most affordable places in California to have a courthouse wedding. A public marriage license and civil ceremony together cost $120, and there’s no waiting period. You can get your license and say your vows on the same day, in the same building, if you schedule your appointments back to back. For couples who want to keep things simple and affordable, that’s hard to beat.

The county also offers something most courthouses don’t: the option to deputize a friend or family member as a one-time Deputy Marriage Commissioner for $44. Instead of a county official reading your vows, someone you actually know performs the ceremony. It costs a little more than the standard $36 ceremony, but for couples who want a personal touch without planning a full wedding, it’s a meaningful upgrade.

Sacramento’s downtown location puts you within walking distance of Capitol Park, the Capitol Mall, and the tree-lined streets of midtown for photos after your ceremony. The Clerk/Recorder offices themselves are functional government spaces, not architectural showpieces, but the surrounding area gives you plenty of options for beautiful portraits. (Verify current fees before visiting. California AB 64 mandated vital record fee increases effective January 1, 2026, and amounts may have changed.)

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

A Sacramento courthouse wedding happens in two parts: getting your marriage license and having your ceremony. Both take place at the same Clerk/Recorder office, and both require appointments booked online in advance.

1. Schedule your marriage license appointment online. Visit omac.saccounty.net and book a time slot at either the downtown or south office. Walk-ins are not accepted.

2. Schedule your ceremony appointment. Use the same online system to book your ceremony. If you want to get your license and marry on the same day, schedule the ceremony at least 30 minutes after your license appointment to give yourself a buffer.

3. Gather your documents. Both partners need a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID). Digital or photocopied IDs are not accepted. If either partner had a prior marriage or domestic partnership end within the last 90 days, bring a certified copy of the termination document.

4. Arrive early and check in. Even with an appointment, the office uses a numbering system. Grab a paper number when you arrive to stay close to your scheduled time.

5. Obtain your marriage license. Both partners must appear in person. You’ll choose between a public license ($84) or confidential license ($95). Pay the fee, complete the paperwork, and your license is valid immediately.

6. Have your ceremony performed. A Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages conducts a brief ceremony lasting about 10 minutes. After the pronouncement, you and your spouse sign the marriage license. If you chose the deputization option, your designated friend or family member performs the ceremony instead.

7. Order certified copies. Request certified copies of your marriage certificate at $19 each. Order at least two or three for name changes with the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport office, banks, and insurance providers.

Sacramento County Marriage License Details

Documents You Need

Both partners must bring the following to the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder office:

• Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
• Social Security number
• Digital or photocopied IDs are not accepted
• Certified copy of divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate (required only if a prior marriage or domestic partnership ended within the last 90 days)

Marriage License Fees

(Verify fees before visiting. California AB 64 mandated vital record fee changes, and amounts may differ from what’s listed here.)

Eligibility Requirements

• Both partners must be at least 18 years old (minors require parental consent and court approval)
• Both partners must appear in person together
• No California residency required
• No blood test required
• Applicants cannot be related by blood
• A marriage license obtained in Sacramento County is valid anywhere in California

Marriage License Validity

Your California marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If it expires unused, you must reapply and pay the fee again. Since there’s no waiting period in California, many couples get their license and have their ceremony on the same day. If you prefer to separate the two, schedule your ceremony within the first 60 days so you have room if anything needs to be rescheduled.

Sacramento Courthouse Wedding Ceremony Details

Ceremony Locations

Sacramento County operates two Clerk/Recorder locations that perform civil ceremonies:

Main Office (Downtown) 600 8th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Phone: (916) 874-6334

The downtown office has two ceremony rooms. Room 1 accommodates up to 25 guests. Room 2 holds up to 10 guests.

South Service Center 8239 E. Stockton Boulevard, Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95828 Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Guest capacity at the South Service Center may differ from the downtown office. Confirm when booking your appointment. (Verify office hours before visiting, as schedules may change without notice.)

What to Expect During Your Sacramento Civil Ceremony

Civil ceremonies in Sacramento County are performed by a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages. The ceremony takes about 10 minutes and includes standard vows, the pronouncement, and the signing of your marriage license. It’s simple, dignified, and legal.

If you choose the deputization option ($44), a friend or family member receives a one-time appointment as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner and performs the ceremony in place of the county official. This is a popular choice for couples who want a personal connection to the person marrying them without the expense or planning of a full wedding.

Appointments are required at both locations. Walk-ins are not accepted. Book your ceremony online at omac.saccounty.net.

Who Can Legally Officiate a Wedding in California

Under California Family Code Section 400, the following people can solemnize a marriage:

• A priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination
• A judge or retired judge of a court of record
• A commissioner or retired commissioner of a court of record
• A Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages (available at the Clerk/Recorder office)
• A person deputized as a one-time Deputy Marriage Commissioner ($44 through the Clerk/Recorder)

California also allows couples to have a friend or family member ordained online to perform the ceremony. However, at the Clerk/Recorder office, the deputization route is the simplest option since it’s handled on-site.

Photography and Guest Tips

Guest Capacity

Room 1 at the downtown office holds up to 25 guests. Room 2 holds up to 10. Guest capacity at the South Service Center may differ, so confirm when booking. (Verify current room capacities before your ceremony, as limits may change.)

California requires at least one witness for a public marriage license ceremony. You can bring your own witness (any adult will do) or pay $29 for the Clerk/Recorder office to provide one. If you choose a confidential marriage license, no witness is required.

Wedding Photography at the Courthouse

The Clerk/Recorder offices are standard government spaces, not designed as photo venues. Most couples plan their wedding photos at nearby locations after the ceremony. Popular spots near the downtown office include:

• Capitol Park: Landscaped gardens, rose garden, and tree-lined paths directly south of the State Capitol
• Capitol Mall: A wide boulevard with dramatic sightlines toward the Capitol building
• Warehouse Artist Lofts murals: Colorful street art in the R Street Corridor

Budget 30 to 60 minutes after your ceremony for portraits. A photographer who knows Sacramento’s downtown will help you make the most of the time between your ceremony and whatever comes next. Golden hour (one to two hours before sunset) provides the best natural light for outdoor shots.

Practical Tips for Your Sacramento Courthouse Wedding

• Book online, not by phone. Both license and ceremony appointments must be scheduled through omac.saccounty.net. Walk-ins are not accepted at either location.

• Bring your own witness to save $29. Any adult can serve as a witness for a public license ceremony. Your photographer can double as your witness if you’re keeping the guest list small.

• Choose your license type carefully. The confidential license ($95) costs $11 more than the public license ($84), but it keeps your information out of public records and doesn’t require a witness. The public license requires at least one witness at the ceremony.

• Plan for parking downtown. Street parking near the main office on 8th Street is metered. Bring quarters or a credit card. For more reliable availability, use a nearby parking garage.

• Consider the deputization option. For $44, a friend or family member can officiate your ceremony. It adds a personal element that a standard courthouse ceremony doesn’t have.

• Schedule back-to-back appointments for a same-day wedding. Book your license appointment first, then your ceremony at least 30 minutes later. No waiting period means you can walk out married the same day you walked in.

• Order certified copies right away. At $19 each, get at least two or three. You’ll need them for name changes at the Social Security Administration, DMV, passport office, and financial institutions.

• Celebrate nearby. The downtown office is within walking distance of Sacramento’s midtown restaurant scene on J Street and K Street. Book a table for a post-ceremony lunch or dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. California has no waiting period for marriage. Your Sacramento County marriage license is valid immediately upon issuance. Schedule your license appointment and ceremony appointment back to back on the same day, with at least a 30-minute gap between them. Both appointments must be booked online in advance at omac.saccounty.net.

Do you need to be a California resident to get married in Sacramento?

No. California has no residency requirement for marriage. Couples from any U.S. state or from outside the country can apply for a Sacramento County marriage license and have their ceremony at either Clerk/Recorder location. Your license is valid for 90 days anywhere in California.

How much does a Sacramento courthouse wedding cost in total?

The minimum cost is $120 for a public marriage license ($84) plus a civil ceremony ($36). Add $29 if you need the office to provide a witness, or $44 if you want to deputize a friend or family member to perform the ceremony. A confidential license costs $95 instead of $84. Certified copies of your marriage certificate are $19 each. Most couples spend between $120 and $180 before optional expenses like photography or a celebration dinner. (Verify current fees at ccr.saccounty.gov before visiting.)

Can a friend officiate your courthouse wedding in Sacramento?

Yes. Sacramento County offers a deputization option for $44, which grants your chosen friend or family member a one-time appointment as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner. They perform the ceremony in the Clerk/Recorder office in place of the county official. This is handled on-site as part of the ceremony booking process. Your friend does not need to be ordained or hold any special credentials.