Planning your Vancouver, Washington courthouse wedding.
Elopements don’t have to mean hopping on a plane to Vegas or finding a mountaintop in the Cascades. Sometimes the most intimate, stress-free way to get married is right here at the Clark County Courthouse in Vancouver. Whether you’re planning a simple legal ceremony with just the two of you or a small gathering of your closest people, here’s what you need to know to plan a courthouse elopement in Vancouver.
Step One: Apply for Your Marriage License
You’ll need a marriage license issued by Clark County before you can tie the knot.
Where: Clark County Auditor’s Office (Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver).
How: You can start your application online in advance, but both parties must appear in person to show ID, or you must have the application notarized.
When: Washington has a mandatory 3-day waiting period, so plan ahead. The license is valid for 60 days after it’s issued.
Cost: The fee for a marriage license is $172.
Step 2: Schedule Your Ceremony at the Vancouver Courthouse
Courthouse weddings in Vancouver are performed by Clark County District Court judges and commissioners.
Scheduling: Call the District Court directly to request a date and time.
Availability: Ceremonies are typically held during weekdays, during regular courthouse hours.
Cost: There’s usually a small officiant fee of around $100 (you will pay this by cash or check at your ceremony).
FYI - if you’d prefer a private officiant, you can also arrange your own ceremony anywhere in Clark County once you have the license.
Step 3: Plan Your Guest List & Find Your Photographer
Courthouse ceremonies are small by nature. Most courtrooms allow just a handful of guests, so this is ideal if you want something quiet and personal. Two adult witnesses are required. Bring two close friends, or have me act as a witness if I’m photographing your big day!
Just because you’re skipping a big wedding doesn’t mean you should skip photos. Courthouse elopements are full of real emotion and documenting those moments makes them last. I love shooting courthouse weddings and will be with you every step of the way to capture every special moment.
Step 4: Get Married!
Arrive at the courthouse at your designated time, cross security, and find your courtroom.
Parking: Street parking is ample around the Clark County Courthouse, particularly during the afternoons, but make sure you leave enough time to find parking and get to the courthouse. Street parking is paid through ParkingKitty.
Security: All visitors to the courthouse must pass through security. Make sure you leave any sharp objects, weapons, etc. at home or in your car. Security will not hold these items for you.
Navigating the courthouse: Make sure you ask where your ceremony will take place when you schedule it! Depending on your judge, the ceremony could be on several different levels of the courthouse.
Waiting your turn: Multiple groups will be scheduled for the same arrival time, with one or two different judges officiating in their own courtrooms. You will stand in the hallway amongst other groups while you wait for the clerk to call your name. Once they do, you will pay them the $100 officiant fee and they will bring you to the courtroom where you will get married. You may wait in the courtroom until your officiant arrives.
Sign your license: The couple and their witnesses sign the marriage licenses. This can either be done before the ceremony with the clerk, or you can choose to wait to do it in front of the officiant.
Enjoy the ceremony: Your judge will read some opening words, ask you to repeat vows they have written, and announce you husband and wife. Don’t forget to kiss!
Are you planning your Vancouver, Washington or Portland, Oregon wedding or elopement and looking for your photographer? Reach out today to reserve your date I’d love to capture your story.