San Francisco City Hall Wedding

At a Glance

What Makes San Francisco City Hall Special

San Francisco City Hall is a Beaux-Arts landmark completed in 1915 by architects Bakewell & Brown. It gives you something almost no other civic building can: a venue that looks like it costs tens of thousands of dollars for just $238. The sweeping marble staircases, gold-accented details, and a dramatic rotunda flooded with natural light create a backdrop that rivals high-end wedding venues anywhere in the country. The building’s dome rises 307 feet, making it taller than the United States Capitol.

You don’t need to live in California. You don’t need to wait. You can fly in from anywhere in the world, get your marriage license from the San Francisco County Clerk, and have your ceremony on the same day. That combination of beauty, accessibility, and affordability is why couples travel from across the globe to get married here.

A detail most guides skip: overcast San Francisco days are actually ideal for wedding photos. The cloud cover creates soft, diffused light through the rotunda dome that flatters skin tones and eliminates harsh shadows. If the fog rolls in on your wedding day, your photographer will probably be thrilled.

Step by Step: How to Get Married at San Francisco City Hall

1. Decide on your license type. You have two options under California marriage law. A public marriage license becomes part of the public record and requires at least one witness at your ceremony. A confidential marriage license stays private and doesn’t require a witness, but both partners must currently be living together. This cohabitation requirement comes from California Family Code Section 500, and most guides leave it out.

2. Schedule your marriage license appointment. Go to sf.gov and book an appointment with the San Francisco County Clerk’s Office in Room 168. Both of you must appear in person. No exceptions.

3. Book your ceremony slot. Ceremony slots open 90 days in advance and refresh at 9:00 AM daily. Book online and pay the $111 ceremony fee by credit card at the time of booking. Friday slots fill fastest. Tuesday through Thursday mornings are the easiest to get and the quietest for photos.

4. Arrive on your wedding day. Check in at Room 168 at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. City Hall has a security screening at the entrance with metal detectors and bag checks, so give yourself a buffer.

5. Get your marriage license. Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo IDs for both of you (driver’s license, passport, or state ID). Digital or photocopied IDs are not accepted. If either of you had a marriage or domestic partnership end within the last 90 days, bring a certified copy of the termination document (divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate).

6. Say your vows. A Deputy Marriage Commissioner appointed by the San Francisco County Clerk performs the ceremony. The vows take about 3 to 6 minutes, though you should plan for about 30 minutes total including paperwork.

7. Make it official. Sign your marriage license after the ceremony. Request 2 to 3 certified copies of your marriage certificate from the County Clerk right away. You’ll need them for name changes with the Social Security Administration, bank accounts, insurance policies, and passport updates through the U.S. Department of State.

Pro tip for same-day couples: You can get your license and have your ceremony on the same day. Schedule your license appointment at least 30 minutes before your ceremony slot. An hour is a safer buffer in case of any delays at the County Clerk’s Office.

Marriage License Details

What You Need to Bring

• Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for both parties (driver’s license, passport, or state ID)
• Digital or photocopied IDs are not accepted
• If either partner had a marriage or domestic partnership end within the last 90 days: a certified copy of the termination document (divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate)

Public vs. Confidential License

The public marriage license is the standard option. It becomes part of the public record maintained by the San Francisco County Clerk and requires at least one witness present at your ceremony.

The confidential marriage license keeps your marriage off the public record and doesn’t require a witness. However, both partners must currently be living together. This is a legal requirement under California Family Code Section 500, and it’s something many couples don’t learn about until they’re at the counter.

Fees and Validity

Your marriage license costs $127 (updated February 1, 2026). We recommend verifying the current fee at sf.gov before your visit, as this was a recent increase.

The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance and can be used anywhere in California, not just San Francisco. There is no waiting period. Your license is valid immediately after issuance.

You can apply at the San Francisco County Clerk’s Office in Room 168 of City Hall, or at any California County Clerk office.

Ceremony Details

What to Expect

Your civil ceremony is performed by a Deputy Marriage Commissioner provided by the San Francisco County Clerk. The vows take about 3 to 6 minutes. Plan for roughly 30 minutes total when you include check-in at Room 168 and signing your marriage license.

This is a civil ceremony, so the format is standard. If you want to write personal vows, play music, or customize the ceremony, you’ll need to book one of the private wedding packages instead.

Where Your Ceremony Happens

Civil ceremonies take place in the Rotunda area on the main floor of San Francisco City Hall. The building is open to the public during business hours, so other visitors and wedding parties will be present during your ceremony. It’s part of the charm of the place, but worth knowing ahead of time.

For a more private experience, the one-hour and two-hour packages give you reserved spaces like the Mayor’s Balcony, the Fourth Floor Gallery, or the Grand Staircase.

Private Wedding Packages

San Francisco City Hall offers several private ceremony options if you want more time, more guests, or a more personalized experience. These are managed by the City Hall Events Office.

One-Hour Private Ceremony

This package costs approximately $1,200 on weekdays and gives you a full hour in a reserved space. You can have up to 100 guests (40 to 60 seated), play music, and say personal vows.

Available spaces include the Mayor’s Balcony and the Fourth Floor Gallery (North or South). Sessions run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

One important difference from the civil ceremony: you must hire your own officiant. City Hall does not provide one for private packages. Expect to pay $150 to $350 for a wedding officiant.

Two-Hour Private Ceremony

For larger celebrations, the two-hour package costs approximately $5,000 and accommodates up to 200 guests (with a $7 per-guest surcharge above 200). This gives you exclusive use of the Grand Staircase and Rotunda on Saturdays, with start times between 9:00 AM and noon.

Large Evening and Weekend Events

For events up to 3,000 guests using the North and South Light Courts and Rotunda, the Events Office offers custom pricing. Setup begins at 2:00 PM, and events must end by 2:00 AM.

How to Book a Private Package

Call the City Hall Events Office at (415) 554-6079 or check availability at sfcityhallevents.org. You can book between 4 weeks and 1 year in advance, and a 30-day hold may be available.

We recommend confirming current pricing directly with the Events Office, as the figures above may not reflect the latest rates.

Photography and Guest Tips

Photography Rules

No permit is required for personal or wedding photography anywhere in San Francisco City Hall. You’re free to photograph throughout the building during public hours.

The City Hall Events Office does not manage photography. You arrange your own. We strongly recommend hiring a photographer who specializes in San Francisco City Hall weddings. They know the lighting at different times of day, how to work around other visitors, and which angles make the architecture shine. Some photographers can also serve as your required witness for a public marriage license.

Best Photo Spots in City Hall

• Grand Staircase: The sweeping marble stairs are the most iconic and recognizable San Francisco City Hall shot.
• Rotunda: Dramatic natural light pours in from the dome. Especially beautiful on overcast days, when diffused light flatters skin tones and creates soft, even illumination.
• Mayor’s Balcony: Elevated and intimate, with a strong architectural backdrop on the second floor.
• Fourth Floor Gallery: Quieter, with elegant corridor views and fewer tourists. A favorite for portraits.
• Exterior steps on Polk Street: The classic San Francisco civic backdrop, with the building’s Beaux-Arts facade behind you.

Guest Limits

The 6-person limit for civil ceremonies is absolute. It includes everyone: the couple, the photographer, witnesses, and any children. Your photographer counts as one of your six, so plan your guest list accordingly.

If you need more than 6 people present, you’ll need to book a private package starting at approximately $1,200.

Planning a city hall wedding in another state? Check out our guides for New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, and Detroit city hall weddings.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

Take BART to Civic Center station. It’s one block from San Francisco City Hall. Street parking nearby is difficult and expensive. If you must drive, check for garage parking on Van Ness Avenue or near Civic Center Plaza.

Book the moment the 90-day window opens. Friday slots disappear fastest. Tuesday through Thursday mornings give you the best combination of availability and a quiet building for photos.

Dress for the building. The marble, gold leaf, and natural light complement classic, elegant attire. The neutral stone tones provide a flattering backdrop for most color palettes.

Budget time for security. City Hall has a security screening at the entrance with metal detectors and bag checks. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment.

Order certified copies of your marriage certificate immediately. Request 2 to 3 copies from the San Francisco County Clerk. You’ll need them for name changes with the Social Security Administration, bank accounts, and passport updates. Cost is approximately $15 to $30 per copy. We recommend confirming the current fee directly with the County Clerk before your visit.

Verify all fees before you go. The San Francisco County Clerk’s marriage license and ceremony fees were last updated on February 1, 2026. Check sf.gov for the most current pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get our marriage license and have the ceremony on the same day?

Yes. Schedule your marriage license appointment at the San Francisco County Clerk’s Office at least 30 minutes before your ceremony slot. We recommend allowing a full hour as a buffer. Both appointments happen in the same building, and California has no waiting period for marriage licenses.

How many guests can we bring to a civil ceremony at San Francisco City Hall?

Six people total. That number includes the couple, photographer, witnesses, and any children. If you need more space, private wedding packages start at approximately $1,200 and accommodate up to 100 guests.

Do we need to live in California to get married at San Francisco City Hall?

No. There is no California residency requirement. Couples from anywhere in the United States or the world can get a marriage license and have their ceremony here.

Do we need to bring our own officiant?

For the $111 civil ceremony, no. A Deputy Marriage Commissioner is provided by the San Francisco County Clerk. For all private packages ($1,200 and up), you must hire your own wedding officiant. Budget $150 to $350 for this.