Courthouse wedding vows are not legally required. In most jurisdictions the only spoken part of the ceremony that has to happen is a declaration of intent, where each person confirms they want to marry the other, followed by the officiant’s pronouncement that you are married. That can be as short as answering “I do” to two questions. Traditional vows, personal vows, readings, and ring exchanges are all optional, and whether you can add them depends on the officiant and the time slot you’ve been given.
What You Actually Say
The ceremony itself is short. Most run somewhere between five and fifteen minutes, and much of that is the officiant reading required legal language. The sequence is roughly the same everywhere: the officiant greets you, confirms names and identification, and asks each person whether they freely consent to the marriage. Each of you answers yes. The officiant then pronounces you married. You, the officiant, and any required witnesses sign the marriage license, and it’s done.
That’s the whole thing. There’s usually no aisle, no processional, no extended reading. Couples often feel caught off guard by how quickly it ends, so if you want the ceremony to feel like more than a signing, plan those additions in advance instead of hoping the moment will expand on its own.
Declaration of Intent vs. Traditional Vows
The piece that confuses most people is the difference between the declaration of intent and vows. They do different jobs.
The declaration of intent is the legal minimum. The officiant asks whether you take this person to be your spouse, and you say yes. No specific words are required beyond that affirmation. The officiant then makes the pronouncement, which is the legal act that formalizes the marriage.
Traditional vows are the “I take you to be my husband/wife, to have and to hold” language most people picture when they think of a wedding. Those words carry emotional weight but no additional legal force. A courthouse ceremony works perfectly well without them. Whether you hear traditional vows, write your own, or skip them entirely depends on your officiant, the courthouse’s policies, and how much time is booked for each ceremony.
Can You Write Your Own Vows?
Many courthouses allow it. Some don’t. Don’t assume either way.
Some judges run a tight schedule with ceremonies booked every fifteen minutes and won’t accommodate additions. Others enjoy the work and will happily pause for a brief personal exchange. The key word is brief. Even accommodating officiants are unlikely to sit through a five-minute reading.
If personal vows matter to you, call the courthouse or clerk’s office before the ceremony date and ask two things. Does the officiant allow personal vows or readings? And how much total time is allocated for the ceremony? If the answer to the first is yes but the window is narrow, keep your vows to a few sentences each. You can always save the longer version for a private moment afterward, a reception toast, or a letter to each other.
Sample Short Vow Structures
If you want to add something personal but don’t want to write from scratch, a few simple structures fit inside a short ceremony:
- A one-sentence promise: “I promise to stand by you, listen to you, and build a life with you.”
- A traditional line in your own words: “I take you to be my partner, to love and support you, from today forward.”
- A reason and a promise: name one thing you love about the person, then make one promise to them.
Anything longer than about thirty seconds each is where officiants start to get uncomfortable in a booked-back-to-back setting. If you’re marrying somewhere with a scheduled longer slot, you have more room.
Rings, Readings, and Other Additions
Rings are optional and not legally required, but if you plan to exchange them, bring them and have them ready so the officiant can work the exchange into the ceremony. Mention it when you schedule, so the officiant knows to include a ring exchange line.
Readings are harder to fit. A short poem or a few lines from something meaningful to you may be welcome; a full passage usually isn’t. Ask ahead.
Guest policies vary. Some courthouses allow a handful of close family or friends in the room; others restrict attendance to the couple and witnesses. A few larger city halls, such as San Francisco, offer ceremony packages in more scenic settings within the building. Ask what the room capacity is and whether there are restrictions on children or strollers.
Photography is usually permitted, but rules differ. Flash photography is commonly prohibited because it distracts the officiant, and some courtrooms restrict photographers to a single position at the back or side of the room. A full photography ban is rare, but it exists. Ask about the policy when you schedule so anyone taking pictures knows what to expect.
Witnesses and Who Speaks
Witnesses don’t speak during the ceremony, but a significant number of states require them to be present and to sign the marriage license. Requirements range from one to two witnesses, who generally need to be at least 16 or 18 years old depending on the state and who must carry valid photo identification. If your state requires witnesses and you don’t have anyone to bring, most courthouses can provide staff witnesses, sometimes for a small additional fee. Confirm this with the clerk’s office before your ceremony date.
The officiant does all the speaking beyond your own responses. You will not be handed a script to memorize. If you’ve asked to add personal vows, you’ll say those at the point in the ceremony where the officiant cues you.
What to Bring So the Ceremony Can Happen
Courthouse weddings are low on pageantry and high on paperwork logistics. Forgetting a single document can mean rescheduling. Bring all of the following:
- Your signed, unexpired marriage license from the county clerk’s office.
- Photo identification, the same ID you used when applying for the license.
- The ceremony fee, if not already paid. Some courthouses accept only cash or money orders, so confirm accepted payment methods in advance.
- Witnesses, if your state requires them, who meet the age and ID requirements.
- Rings, if you plan to exchange them.
Questions to Ask Before the Day
One phone call to the courthouse or clerk’s office answers almost everything that varies. Before your ceremony, ask:
- How long is the ceremony slot?
- Does the officiant allow personal vows, readings, or a ring exchange?
- How many guests can be in the room?
- Is photography allowed, and are there restrictions on flash or position?
- Are witnesses required, and can the courthouse provide them?
- What payment methods are accepted for the ceremony fee?
Ten minutes on the phone is the difference between a ceremony that feels like yours and one that feels like paperwork. The words the law requires are minimal. Whatever you add on top of them is up to you and the person about to pronounce you married.