Getting Married at the Columbus Courthouse: Everything You Need to Know

Not every wedding needs 150 guests, a seated dinner, and a year of planning. More and more Columbus couples are choosing something smaller, faster, and honestly — just as meaningful: a courthouse wedding. If you’re considering saying “I do” at the Franklin County Courthouse, here’s everything you need to know to make it official, beautiful, and stress-free.

Why Couples Choose a Courthouse Wedding

A courthouse wedding isn’t a lesser version of a “real” wedding — for a lot of couples, it’s the whole point. Maybe you’d rather put your budget toward a house down payment. Maybe a big production isn’t your style. Maybe you’re planning a larger celebration down the road and want to be legally married sooner. Whatever the reason, a courthouse ceremony gives you a real, legal, meaningful wedding day — just distilled down to what actually matters: the two of you, saying the words, in front of the people (or person) who matter most.

Step One: Get Your Marriage License

Before any ceremony can happen, you need a marriage license from the Franklin County Probate Court, located at 373 South High Street, 23rd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.

A few things to know going in:

  • Both of you need to appear in person together, with valid photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or certified birth certificate) and your Social Security numbers.
  • The fee is $65 (cash, money order, or credit/debit card — card payments carry a 3% service charge).
  • There’s no waiting period, blood test, or residency requirement — you can get your license and get married the same day if you want to.
  • Your license is valid for 60 days from the date it’s issued, so you have some flexibility on timing once you have it.

It’s worth calling ahead at (614) 525-3894 to confirm current hours and any documentation specifics before you go, since court hours and requirements can shift.

Step Two: Book the Ceremony Itself

Once you have your license, the ceremony itself is performed through the Franklin County Municipal Court, at the Duty Judge’s discretion, Monday through Friday, by appointment only. Call (614) 645-3889 to schedule your ceremony time after you’ve secured your license — this isn’t something you can walk in and do same-day, so plan a little ahead.

Standard ceremonies carry a modest court fee (around $25) in addition to your license cost. Occasionally, the courts run special events — like a Valentine’s Day pop-up ceremony day — where fees are waived and ceremonies run first-come, first-served. If your timing is flexible, keep an eye out for one of these; they’re a fun, low-cost way to make the day feel a little more festive.

What to Wear

You don’t need a ballgown, but you also don’t have to show up in jeans. Most couples land somewhere in the middle — a beautiful slip dress, a tailored suit, or a cocktail-length dress that photographs well against the courthouse’s marble and columns. My honest advice: pick something you’d be genuinely thrilled to see in your favorite photo twenty years from now, and don’t forget a small bouquet or boutonnière — it’s a small detail that makes a huge difference in photos.

Best Nearby Spots for Photos After

The courthouse itself has beautiful architecture worth photographing — but downtown Columbus gives you plenty of options within a short walk for portraits after you say “I do”:

  • Topiary Park — whimsical sculpted hedges just a few blocks away, unlike anywhere else in the city.
  • Ohio Statehouse — grand, columned, and classic — a natural complement to a courthouse wedding.
  • Bicentennial Park / Scioto Mile — river views, fountains, and open green space right along the water.
  • Downtown’s brick side streets — for couples who want a more editorial, urban feel to their portraits.

Even a 30–45 minute portrait session right after your ceremony is enough to walk away with real, beautiful images from the day — not just a courthouse selfie.

Making It Feel Like Your Day

A courthouse wedding can feel just as intentional as a big production if you make a few small choices on purpose: bring your favorite playlist for the drive over, grab a bouquet from a local florist that morning, plan a celebratory lunch or dinner reservation afterward, and — if it’s in the budget — bring a photographer along for at least an hour. A courthouse wedding might be small, but the day still deserves to be documented the way any wedding day does.