Houston · Harris County Clerk
Courthouse wedding in Houston
Last checked: . Courthouse pages are re-checked every 3 months.
As of Oct 28, 2026, a courthouse wedding in Houston costs $181 in official fees: $81 for the marriage license (Harris County Clerk) and $100 for the civil ceremony (Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, cash only; other Harris County courts set their own fees).
A full courthouse day with a dress, flowers, photos and a dinner room: about $991 all in
Every figure below is the official page's own wording, with its link and the day we read it.
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The fees and the steps, from the official pages
Copied word for word from Harris County Clerk. Each row links to the page it came from.
| What | The official page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage license fee | $81Official wordingValid I.D. is required and the fee is $81.00. | Harris County Clerk read Oct 28 |
| Marriage license fee if neither applicant shows Texas residency on ID | $181Official wordingWithout proof of state residency on a valid form of identification from at least one applicant the fee will be $181.00. | Harris County Clerk read Oct 28 |
| Civil ceremony at a Harris County courthouse (Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 1, weekday Mon-Thu slots; cash only) | $100Official wordingMON., TUES., & THURS. 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM $100.00 | Harris County Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1 read Oct 28 |
| Same JP court: Saturday ceremony (when available) | $200Official wordingSATURDAY 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM $200.00 (WHEN AVAILABLE) | Harris County Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1 read Oct 28 |
| Same JP court: what to bring and how to pay | License + cashOfficial wordingYou must bring MARRIAGE LICENSE & SERVICE FEE (See above, CASH only) to office. | Harris County Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1 read Oct 28 |
| Same JP court: appointments and walk-ins | By appointment; walk-ins depend on the judgeOfficial wordingWeddings are scheduled accordingly by appointments, but walk-ins are welcome based on Judge’s availability. | Harris County Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1 read Oct 28 |
| Waiting period | 72 hoursOfficial wordingThere is a 72 hour waiting period and the license should be signed by the officiant no more than 90 days from the date of issuance. | Harris County Clerk read Oct 28 |
| How long the license is valid | 90 days from the date it is issuedOfficial wordingThere is a 72 hour waiting period and the license should be signed by the officiant no more than 90 days from the date of issuance. | Harris County Clerk read Oct 28 |
| ID you bring | Valid government photo ID (driver's license, DPS ID, passport, resident alien card)Official wordingYou must have a valid ID such as a driver's license, ID card issued by DPS, valid passport, resident alien card, or other U.S. government issued identification. | Harris County Clerk read Oct 28 |
| How to get the license | Both apply in person at any of 11 Harris County Clerk locationsOfficial wordingBoth applicants can apply for a Marriage License in person at one of our 11 locations | Harris County Clerk read Oct 28 |
| Premarital course certificate (Twogether in Texas): fee discount and no waiting period | Up to $60 off and no 72-hour waitOfficial wordingThe certificate should be presented at the time of applying for a marriage license to receive: • Up to $60 off their marriage license fee • Waiving the 72-hour waiting period | Harris County Clerk read Oct 28 |
| Downtown Personal Records office: address and hours | 201 Caroline, Suite 330, Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PMOfficial wordingHarris County Civil Courthouse 201 Caroline, Suite 330 Houston, TX 77002 (713) 274-8686 Hours of Operation Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Harris County Clerk read Oct 28 |
Not shown, because no official page states it:
- How to pay the license fee (the Clerk's page names no payment methods for licenses)
- Whether the Clerk needs an appointment for a license
- The ceremony fee of other Justice of the Peace courts (each sets its own; only Precinct 1, Place 1 prints one)
The steps in order
- Both of you apply in person at a Harris County Clerk office with valid photo ID (downtown: 201 Caroline, Suite 330, Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM); the license costs $81, or $181 if neither ID shows Texas residency.
- Wait 72 hours after the license is issued before the ceremony (waived for active military; a Twogether in Texas premarital-course certificate also waives it and takes up to $60 off the fee).
- Book a courthouse ceremony with a Harris County Justice of the Peace; Precinct 1, Place 1 charges $100 on weekday slots (cash only), $200 on Saturdays when available, and takes appointments or walk-ins at the judge's availability. Bring the license and the cash.
- Have the officiant sign within 90 days of the issue date, then return the signed license to the Clerk for recording (in person or by mail).
Make it feel like a wedding, for less
The license is the legal part. Here is one real find in each category couples still buy for a courthouse day, each from its own page and dated.
Your courthouse wedding, all in
| Marriage license fee | $81 |
|---|---|
| Civil ceremony at a Harris County courthouse (Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 1, weekday Mon-Thu slots; cash only) | $100 |
| The dress | $250BHLDN · Casey dress |
| The flowers | $180KVITKAFA: Burgundy bridal bouquet (pre-order) |
| Room for a 10-person dinner (room only) | $380The Middleton Venue |
| All in | $991 |
An example, not part of the $181 answer above: the official fees plus one real find per category from the cards. It is a sum of dated listings, not a quote; prices change.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to get married at the courthouse in Houston, TX?
As of Oct 28, 2026, the Harris County Clerk charges $81 for the marriage license ($181 if neither applicant shows Texas residency on their ID), and Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 1 charges $100 for a weekday courthouse ceremony, cash only: $181 in all. Other Harris County justice courts set their own fees.
How do I get married at the courthouse in Houston?
Both of you apply in person at one of the Harris County Clerk's 11 locations with valid photo ID, then wait 72 hours. Book a ceremony with a Justice of the Peace, bring the license and cash, and return the signed license to the Clerk within 90 days.
Can you get married at the Harris County courthouse?
Yes: Harris County Justices of the Peace perform courthouse ceremonies. Precinct 1, Place 1 lists Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at $100, and Saturdays 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at $200 when available.
Can you get a marriage license and get married in the same day in Texas?
Not by default: Texas requires a 72-hour wait after the license is issued. The Harris County Clerk's page says the wait is waived for active military and for couples with a Twogether in Texas certificate, which also takes up to $60 off the fee.
Is a courthouse wedding cheaper than a wedding?
The official fees here total $181. The lowest Houston venue price we verified for a group of 10 or more is $380 (The Middleton Venue), so the courthouse is the cheaper start; compare both pages before you decide.
Every price on this page links to the page it came from and shows the day we read it. No affiliate links: we earn nothing from these sellers or venues. How we check.