Seattle Courthouse Wedding - Planning Guide

There are many different reasons why people have courthouse weddings, for some it's because it's the quickest way to get legally married, for other's it allows them to escape the stress (and cost) of planning a traditional wedding. Regardless, Seattle's Courthouses offer the opportunity to say your I Do's in an iconic setting, surrounded by the beauty and history of Seattle. You can do this at either King County Courthouse or Seattle Municipal Courthouse, both of which have stunning architecture and beautiful interiors, and are nestled right downtown. I highly suggest Seattle Municipal Courthouse in particular because of the floor to ceiling windows and even the rooftop option if the weather permits! In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make your courthouse wedding at Seattle Municipal Courthouse a smooth-sailing reality.

PC: @sanc.ii | View from the Seattle Municipal Courthouse Rooftop, with judge Andrea Chin.

Understanding the Process: An Overview

Navigating the process of getting married at the Seattle Municipal Courthouse doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, I've managed to plan for my own courthouse wedding in the span of under three weeks. I will use my own as well as my client's experience to guide you through the required steps: from understanding the legal requirements, day-of timeline considerations, necessary documents, ways to reflect your unique style and story, and often overlooked logistical concerns. Knowing these steps ensures a smooth and stress-free jourey to the altar. What's best is that almost all of these steps can be done online or by phone, allowing you to arrange your special day with ease. 

View from Seattle Municipal Court from the indoor level.

The First Steps: Applying for a Marriage License

The journey to your courthouse wedding begins with applying for a marriage license. In Seattle, this process is conveniently accessible. Couples can apply online or in person. Follow the instructions of filling out the King County Online Marriage Kiosk, emailing in your transaction number and phone number, and waiting for a call from the Recorder's Office staff to accept credit/debit payment. A marriage license will cost $69. 

Following all this, expect to receive your marriage license through mail anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Once you've secured your marriage license, there's a mandatory waiting period of three days, after which, the license will be valid for 60 days. Bear this in mind when choosing your wedding date, ensuring that you have enough time to submit an application for the marriage license, as well as wait three days.  

 Keep your marriage license safe, as it plays a central role in both your ceremony and the registration of your marriage.

Locking it in: Selecting your Ceremony Date

The next step in the puzzle piece is to select your wedding date. Go to the Seattle Municipal Courthouse website, and fill our their form to request a ceremony. An important caveat is that you can only have ceremonies there on WEEKDAYS: Monday through Thursday will cost $150 (cash only); Friday and a day before a holiday will cost $300. Choosing a wedding date on a weekend or holiday will require you to have it at an off-site location, where it will still be one of the Seattle Municipal Court judges marrying you, just in another venue of your choosing. 

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, here's what to expect next. Someone will respond via email if your date is available, or provide alternatives if it isn’t. Once you decide and lock in the date, they will send you a confirmation email. This is a chance for you to express interest in a particular judge if you have one in mind, otherwise, they will be assigned to you on the day itself. Fret not, there is no wrong choice! They are all extremely friendly and kind. My husband and I were assigned Honorable Andrea Chin, and she made us feel extremely comfortable and assured. 

Choosing your Party: Guests in Attendance

The rule for getting married at the Courthouse is that parties with up to 8 people including the two getting married are permitted. This means you are allowed only 6 guests! You must at least have two who are over 18 years old, as they will be your witnesses and will be signing your marriage license. As for me personally, and for what I would recommend to clients, save at least one of those spots for hiring a professional photographer to document your special day. These photos will not only serve as cherished memories but also as beautiful attestations of your love and commitment. 

Your Courthouse Wedding Day: What to Expect

Note that you are not the only couple getting married that day! Every couple gets the same confirmation email for 4:30pm, so it's a very good chance that you'll see quite a few other couples donning white dresses and suits in the same waiting area. While there will be only a few judges available at each given day, couples will have to wait their turn to get married. Getting there early can help avoid delays and being pushed to the back of the line. 

When you first arrive, you will need to bring your marriage license, the fee for the courthouse in cash, and a valid ID to the office to check-in. When it's your turn to be called, a judge will usher the bride and groom (photographer also allowed to accompany) to a board room or office to sign your marriage license.  There will be an opportunity to let the judge know your preferences for the ceremony. For example, if you wanted to do exchanging of rings, or read your own vows. It is here that you can also indicate your preference for which of the many beautiful spaces at the courthouse you would like your ceremony performed, including the rooftop terrace. Following this, you will rejoin your wedding guests in the waiting area and move to the selected location. 

The ceremony itself will last approximately 20 minutes. Photos may be taken before and during the ceremony, but you will need to leave the courthouse immediately after your ceremony has been completed. This is another good reason to arrive early, to take advantage of that window of time to do couple shots in the beautiful spaces around the courthouse. 

Once the ceremony is over, it is the judge's responsibility to complete and return the marriage license to King County within 30 days after the ceremony. If you request a printed copy ($3 each, indicated when first applying for the marriage license), it will be mailed to your address.

Day-Of Coordination: Tips for a Smooth Seattle Courthouse Wedding

The beauty of a courthouse wedding lies in its simplicity, yet thinking about the logistics of your wedding day is crucial. While the Seattle Municipal Courthouse is conveniently located downtown, consider the timing and transportation for you and your guests. Have a parking plan: either opt for a drop-off, or park in one of the parking garages around the courthouse, this is not the day to bank on street parking! Arrive 30min early, as that allows you to navigate through security screening by the marshals and find the designated ceremony area. A calm presence and a well-thought-out schedule will allow you to enjoy every moment without rushing, making the day memorable for all the right reasons.

If you're wondering about how long to book a photographer, it depends on how you want to spend the day before and after the ceremony! If it is just for the ceremony itself, 1.5h might be sufficient. Creating a celebration out of the wedding with pre- and post- activities might require 3-4hours of the photographer's time.

Making It Special: Personalizing Your Courthouse Wedding

There are so many ways to make this day more than just about "signing paperwork", instead personalizing it to make the day uniquely yours. Dress code, for instance, can range from casual to formal, making it as traditional or as unconventional as you wish. Your wedding attire can be as laid back as a Little White Dress, to something extravagant like a couture gown—the choice is up to you! Spruce it up with a beautiful bouquet and boutonnieres if that's meaningful to you. Perhaps you can choose where you get ready, and make time to have a first look before arriving at the courthouse. 

Finally, have a post-celebration plan! Organize a quick photoshoot around the city, order a delicious cake, and book a dinner in a private room at one of Seattle's best restaurants. Seattle Municipal Court's downtown location makes it convenient to build a timeline that could get you couple shots on the Seattle Waterfront, Pioneer Square, Pike Place or even Olympic Sculpture Park. I love helping my clients built a thoughtful day out of their courthouse wedding day, incorporating meaningful details that make it feel special. These personal touches add a layer of intimacy and significance, transforming a simple ceremony into a personal and authentic celebration. 

I coordinated and designed the details of the private room dinner at Aerlume following the ceremony and photoshoot.

Embracing Love's Simplicity

Whether you're trying to elope, or need to get married before planning a bigger ceremony—a courthouse wedding is the perfect opportunity to strip down marriage to it's core essentials of love and commitment without the fuss and the stress. Seattle's courthouses offer one of the more beautiful spaces to celebrate the joy of a monumental milestone with an intimate ceremony. If you're thinking of planning a Seattle Courthouse Wedding soon, it would be my privilege to create a personalized and memorable day for you! Reach out to me here and I'd love to chat with you.

All photos by the talented: @meid.withlove