How to Get Legally Married in Houston: Courthouse & Elopement Wedding Guide

So—you’ve decided to elope instead of having a traditional wedding! Or maybe you’re doing a courthouse ceremony now to get legally married and planning a bigger celebration later? Either way—congrats! This is such an exciting time, and I’m so glad you’re here.

If you're not sure where to even begin when it comes to planning a courthouse wedding in Houston, you’re in the right place. I’m a Houston-based wedding and lifestyle photographer—and I actually had a courthouse wedding myself! I’ve photographed many of them, too. So I’m here to share all the details and walk you through everything step-by-step.

Things to Consider When Planning a Courthouse Wedding or Elopement:

Location
Date & Time
Judge or Officiant
Guests or Just the Two of You
Marriage License
Outfits
(And most importantly...) Your Photographer!

Let’s start with the first three—because they kind of go hand in hand.

1. Choosing the Location

Most people immediately think of a county courthouse—but you actually have options! If you’re after something a bit more personal or scenic, you can also choose to get married in a park, backyard, rooftop, or any place that feels like you.

If you do want to get married in a courtroom, the easiest way is to visit your county’s website to make an appointment. Here are two helpful links for Harris County and the City of Houston:

Harris County Probate Courts: Harris County Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline St, 5th Floor, Houston, TX 77002)
City of Houston Municipal Courts: Herbert W. Gee Municipal Courthouse, 1400 Lubbock St, Houston, TX 77002)

📌 Pro Tip: My husband and I reached out to a judge directly (not through the website). We worked with Judge Dawn Rogers and her law clerk to arrange everything. Her courtroom is located on the 14th floor of the Harris County Civil Courthouse (201 Caroline St).

If you're not going the courthouse route, you can also hire a professional officiant, a retired judge, or even a friend who is ordained to perform the ceremony at your dream location. (See Section 4 below for specific officiant recommendations!)

2. Judge vs. Officiant — What’s the Difference?

Judge:

Who they are: Legal officials authorized by the state to perform civil ceremonies
Ceremony style: Short, civil, and to the point
Popular for: Couples who want a quick, no-frills, legally binding wedding

Officiant:

Who they are: Ordained individuals (religious or non-religious) authorized to marry couples
Ceremony style: Customizable—religious, spiritual, or secular
Popular for: Personal, emotional ceremonies in creative locations

In Summary:

Judge = legal, efficient, civil
Officiant = flexible, personal, customizable

3. Spotlight: Getting Married at the 1910 Harris County Courthouse (301 Fannin St.)

This is one of the most popular courthouse wedding spots in Houston—but they’ve recently added stricter rules:

No access to the courtrooms, third-floor balcony, elevators, or stairs
Weddings can take place in the second-floor rotunda, or outside at the covered landing, front steps, or courthouse grounds
Indoor ceremonies are scheduled on weekdays only, also at specific times when there is no court in session.
No weekend weddings
Maximum of 12 participants + 1 photographer (13 people total)
No flash photography allowed inside

If you’re planning your ceremony here, we’ll need to stick to approved areas and use natural available light—don’t worry, it’s still beautiful!

4. Recommended vendors I’ve Worked With at the 1910 Courthouse

Judge Jay Karahan – Performs wedding ceremonies at the courthouse (indoors or outdoors) and other locations
Weddings by Ingrid – Performs wedding ceremonies at the courthouse (indoors or outdoors) and other locations

💬 Pricing varies—reach out directly to get the most accurate quote.

5. Timing Your Ceremony (Golden Hour Is Your Best Friend)

If you're planning an outdoor elopement (in a park, backyard, etc.), I always recommend starting your ceremony about 2 hours before sunset. This lets us take family and couple portraits during golden hour—the softest, dreamiest light for photos.

If you're having a courthouse wedding with a scheduled time, don’t worry! Downtown Houston has plenty of beautiful, shaded spots that work perfectly for portraits.

Here’s how I usually time things out:

Ceremony: 15–20 minutes
Family/guest photos: 15 minutes
Couple portraits: 30–40 minutes

6. Guests or No Guests?

Some couples want to keep it just the two of them. Others invite a small group of family and friends. There’s no wrong way to celebrate your love—this day is yours.

A few quick notes:

Outdoor/backyard venues: You control the guest list
Courthouse (indoors): Strictly 12 guests max + 1 photographer — no exceptions

7. Getting Your Marriage License

If you’re planning to have your ceremony downtown, I recommend going to the Harris County Clerk’s Office at 201 Caroline St. It’s super convenient because you can drop off your signed license there right after your ceremony!

📍 Harris County Clerk’s Office

201 Caroline St, Suite 330, Houston, TX 77002

🕗 Open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

You can also apply at any Harris County annex location — and good news: you don’t have to apply in the same county where you’ll be married, as long as it’s anywhere in Texas.

What You’ll Need:

Both applicants present
A valid form of ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
Be at least 18 years old (or meet exception requirements)
$81 license fee (or $181 if neither of you has a valid Texas ID)
Optional: Affidavit for absent applicants

A Few Important Notes:

Waiting Period: Texas requires a 72-hour waiting period from the time your license is issued to when your ceremony can take place.
How to Waive It: This waiting period is automatically waived if:
One or both of you is active duty military
You complete the state-sponsored premarital class (you’ll get a certificate — and yes, you can take it online!)
A district judge waives it for good cause, as long as both of you appear in person (📌 Pro tip: Once you’ve scheduled your ceremony, check with your judge to confirm they can waive it if needed!)
License Validity: After it's issued, your marriage license is valid for 90 days. It must be signed by your officiant within that window, or you’ll need to reapply.
📝 Still have questions? You can find more info on the Harris County Clerk’s FAQ page.

8. What to Wear

There’s no dress code when it comes to love—but here are a few ideas based on what I’ve seen:

For grooms/partners:

Business casual or professional
Suit, dress pants, button-down shirt, tie, and nice shoes

For brides/partners:

White dresses, jumpsuits, pant suits, or literally anything that makes you feel confident and radiant
💡 If you’re having a courthouse ceremony in the downtown area, I recommend wearing something with a shorter train or hemline. Navigating city sidewalks and stairs can take a bit longer, and let’s be honest—Houston streets aren’t always the cleanest. You’ll thank yourself later when we’re walking around for portraits!
💡 Heels are always a confidence booster, but comfort is key—especially if we’ll be walking around downtown for photos. Consider bringing a pair of flats or sandals to change into between spots so you can stay comfy and glowing.

My Favorite places to shop for bridal fits:

9. And Finally... Don’t Forget the Photographer

If you’ve made it this far—thank you for reading! I hope you’ve found everything super helpful.

And if you’re looking for someone to document your courthouse or elopement ceremony in Houston... hi, I’m Joy! I’d be so honored to capture your day.

Having photos of this intimate celebration is so worth it—not only for the memories, but also to use for save-the-dates, wedding websites, or announcement cards. Houston has so many photogenic spots in and around downtown—and beyond. Memorial Park is another favorite of mine.

At the end of the day, I just want to help you remember how this chapter of your love story began.

💌 Ready to chat? [Check out my work and submit an inquiry here!]