Planning a wedding is stressful enough without the logistical nightmare of a government calendar. You’ve probably seen the movies where a couple rushes into a city hall on a whim, finds a judge, and walks out five minutes later with a ring and a certificate. It looks easy. But honestly, if you're asking can you get married on a saturday at the courthouse, you’re likely hitting a wall of "Closed" signs and automated voicemails.
Most government offices operate on a strict 9-to-5, Monday through Friday schedule. It’s the standard bureaucratic rhythm. Because courthouses are primarily places of law—handling everything from traffic tickets to felony trials—they tend to lock their doors when the weekend hits. But that doesn’t mean a Saturday wedding is impossible. It just means you have to stop thinking like a tourist and start thinking like a local strategist.
The reality is that "courthouse wedding" has become a bit of a catch-all term for any civil ceremony. Some people want the mahogany-paneled room and the official seal, while others just want the legal paperwork done so they can party later. Depending on where you live, getting that Saturday slot might require a bit of a "workaround" or a very specific type of jurisdiction.
The Reality of Government Schedules
Let’s be real: most county clerks are not working on their day off. In major hubs like New York City, the Manhattan Marriage Bureau is famously closed on weekends. If you want that iconic 80 Centre Street wedding, you’re looking at a Friday afternoon rush. This is the case for the vast majority of municipal buildings across the United States.
However, there are outliers. Vegas is the obvious one. The Clark County Marriage License Bureau in Las Vegas stays open until midnight every single day, including Saturdays and Sundays. It’s a well-oiled machine. But unless you’re planning a trip to the desert, you have to look at how your specific county operates. Some smaller counties in Texas or Florida might have "Saturday hours" once a month, but these are rare and usually fill up months in advance.
Why the strict schedule? Budget. Funding for staff to man a courthouse on a Saturday solely for weddings is rarely a priority for local taxpayers. Most judges and clerks would rather be at home.
Can You Get Married on a Saturday at the Courthouse by Finding a "Special Venue"?
Sometimes the "courthouse" isn't actually the courthouse. In many jurisdictions, the person with the authority to marry you—a judge, a justice of the peace, or a clerk—might be willing to meet you at the courthouse steps or a nearby park on a Saturday. But strictly speaking, the building itself is usually locked tight.
Take San Francisco, for example. Their City Hall is a masterpiece of Beaux-Arts architecture. It is a premier wedding destination. While they do civil ceremonies during the week for a modest fee, if you want that Saturday wedding, you aren't doing a standard "walk-in" appointment. You are essentially renting the space as a private venue, which costs thousands of dollars. Suddenly, your "cheap" courthouse wedding has a luxury price tag.
👉 See also: Sport watch water resist explained: why 50 meters doesn't mean you can dive
The Justice of the Peace Loophole
If you’re dead set on a Saturday, your best bet is often a Justice of the Peace (JP). In states like Texas, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, JPs have a lot of autonomy. A JP is a public official, but many of them operate like freelancers.
You call them up. You ask if they’re available Saturday. They say yes.
The catch? They might not perform the ceremony at the actual courthouse. They might suggest a local coffee shop, a garden, or even their own living room. It still counts as a civil ceremony. It’s still "official." It just lacks the metal detectors and the fluorescent lighting of the local municipal building.
Mapping Out the Geographic Odds
Where you live changes everything. It’s not a level playing field.
In some parts of the South, the "Magistrate’s Office" is the go-to. Magistrates often work 24/7 because they have to handle bail hearings and warrants at all hours of the night. Because they are always there, some counties allow magistrates to perform marriages on weekends. You might have to wait between a bond hearing for a shoplifter and a noise complaint, but you’ll get your Saturday date.
In the Pacific Northwest, it’s much more structured. In Seattle (King County), you have to book a judge privately for a weekend ceremony. They have a list of judges who are willing to do it for an extra fee, usually ranging from $200 to $500. You aren't paying for the room; you're paying for the judge’s time.
Don't Forget the Marriage License Wait Time
This is where people usually mess up. Even if you find a place that says, "Sure, we do Saturday weddings," you can’t just show up. Almost every state has a waiting period.
✨ Don't miss: Pink White Nail Studio Secrets and Why Your Manicure Isn't Lasting
- Pennsylvania: 3-day wait.
- Texas: 72-hour wait.
- New York: 24-hour wait.
If you fly into a city on a Friday night hoping for a Saturday morning "I do," you’re going to be disappointed unless you’re in a state like Nevada or Florida (for non-residents) where there is no wait. You have to get that license during business hours—Monday through Friday—at the Clerk’s office. The license is the permission slip; the ceremony is the final exam. You need both to graduate to "married."
The Private Officiant Alternative
If the courthouse is closed, why are you still trying to get in?
Seriously.
If the goal is a Saturday wedding that feels official but doesn't require a religious setting, hire a professional secular officiant. They can meet you anywhere. They can wear a robe if that makes it feel more "law-ish" for you. They handle the filing of the paperwork, which is the only part the government actually cares about.
Many couples find this much more relaxing. You can pick a spot that actually means something to you, like the place you had your first date, rather than a sterile hallway next to the probate office. And yes, they work Saturdays. That’s their whole business model.
Practical Steps to Secure Your Saturday Civil Ceremony
If you’re still committed to the courthouse vibe on a Saturday, here is how you actually make it happen without losing your mind.
1. Call the "Marriage Bureau" or "County Clerk" directly.
Don’t rely on the website. County websites are often relics from 2004. Call them. Ask specifically: "Do you have any judges or magistrates who perform ceremonies on Saturdays?" If they say no, ask: "Do you have a list of retired judges who do weekend weddings?"
🔗 Read more: Hairstyles for women over 50 with round faces: What your stylist isn't telling you
2. Check the "Magistrate" office.
As mentioned before, if your county has a 24-hour magistrate for criminal matters, they are your best "hidden" resource. They are already at the building. They have the legal authority. Sometimes they’re bored and happy to do it.
3. Secure the license early.
Go to the clerk’s office on Tuesday or Wednesday. Get the license in your hand. Check the expiration date. Most licenses are good for 30 to 90 days. Having this in hand removes 90% of the Saturday stress.
4. Budget for the "After Hours" fee.
A Friday morning courthouse wedding might cost $50. A Saturday wedding where a judge has to drive into town will likely cost $200 to $400. It’s still cheaper than a ballroom, but it’s not "free."
5. Consider the "Deputize a Friend" route.
In some states, like California, a friend can become a "Deputy Commissioner of Marriages for a Day." They go down to the office, pay a fee, and then they can legally marry you on a Saturday anywhere you want—including the steps of the courthouse if you like the back-drop.
The Verdict on Weekend Courthouse Weddings
The short answer to can you get married on a saturday at the courthouse is usually "No" for the building itself, but "Yes" for the ceremony if you’re willing to be flexible.
Government buildings are functional, not romantic. They follow the calendar of the bureaucracy. If you want the Saturday date, you have to navigate the human element—finding the specific official who is willing to work outside those 9-to-5 walls.
It takes more legwork than a weekday wedding. You’ll spend more time on the phone. You might have to pay a "convenience fee" to a judge. But in the end, the paperwork looks exactly the same. The state doesn't care if you signed it on a Tuesday afternoon or a Saturday night; they just care that the person who signed it had the authority to do so.
Next Steps for Your Saturday Wedding
- Check your state's waiting period immediately. If it’s three days, you must have your license by Wednesday.
- Search for "Mobile Officiants" or "Justices of the Peace" in your specific city. These individuals are the bridge between a formal church wedding and a closed courthouse.
- Verify the location. If a judge agrees to a Saturday, confirm if you are meeting at the courthouse or a secondary location. Don't show up to a locked gate at the Justice Center.
- Bring two witnesses. Even on a Saturday, most states require two people to sign the document alongside the officiant. Don't assume the courthouse will provide them.