Seattle Municipal Court Wedding Info
Your wedding day, your way.
A courthouse wedding doesn't have to be complicated. Whether it's just the two of you or you're celebrating with a few of your favorite people, it deserves to be photographed with the same care as any wedding.
We offer Seattle courthouse wedding photography with coverage starting at 90 minutes. We can keep things simple and stay around the courthouse, or make time for portraits in some of my favorite downtown Seattle locations.
How to Get Married at Seattle Municipal Court
Planning a courthouse wedding in Seattle? Here's what you need to know before the day.
1. Reserve your ceremony
Seattle Municipal Court offers wedding ceremonies on weekdays, with a 4:30 PM check-in time. Requests can be submitted up to eight weeks before your preferred date.
Complete the online ceremony request and wait for confirmation from the court before considering your date final.
Request Your Ceremony — Seattle Municipal Court
2. Get your marriage license
You'll need a valid Washington State marriage license, which must be obtained separately from the courthouse.
Washington requires a three-day waiting period before your license can be used. The license expires 60 days after issuance, so make sure your wedding date falls within the valid period.
Bring your complete marriage license packet with you on the wedding day.
Marriage License Information — King County
3. Arrange your witnesses
You'll need at least two witnesses to sign your marriage documents. Seattle Municipal Court allows up to eight people in the wedding party, including the couple.
4. Prepare for your wedding day
Before arriving, double-check your court confirmation, ceremony instructions, required documents, and payment details. Allow extra time for downtown traffic, parking, and courthouse security.
What Happens on Your Wedding Day?
Arriving at Seattle Municipal Court
Seattle Municipal Court is located inside the Seattle Justice Center at 600 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.
Although the court typically lists check-in at 4:30 PM, we recommend planning to arrive around 4:00–4:15 PM .
Courthouse wedding afternoons can get busy, and arriving early may help you get a better position in line. Couples who check in later may have to wait until after 5:00 PM for their ceremony.
Allow extra time to pass through courthouse security before heading to the check-in area.
Where to Check In
Check-in has taken place on the 10th floor.
After exiting the elevator, you'll find the stairs on your left and a large window on your right. The check-in door is located near the window, with a call box beside it.
Use the call box to let the court staff know you've arrived, if instructed.
The couple will briefly enter the room to confirm their paperwork and provide their witnesses' names. Guests typically wait in the hallway.
Always check your confirmation email for the current floor, room, and arrival instructions.
How the Ceremony Works
Once check-in is complete, you'll wait for the judge.
The judge may ask where you'd prefer to have your ceremony. Depending on the weather, availability, and courthouse operations, possible locations include:
The rooftop terrace
The courthouse library
An indoor room designated by the judge
Before the ceremony, the judge will review the necessary paperwork with the couple. Depending on the judge, some documents may be signed before or after the ceremony.
We may also be able to photograph the signing, depending on the judge's instructions.
The ceremony itself is usually brief, followed by the opportunity for photographs with your guests and additional portraits outside the courthouse.
One thing to keep in mind: Since the exact ceremony time and location can vary, we recommend scheduling most of your portraits before check-in. This allows us to make the most of our time together without worrying about potential courthouse delays. We also suggest keeping your plans flexible afterward, as ceremonies can sometimes run past 5:00 PM.
Planning Your Photography Timeline
Depending on your coverage, we can meet near the courthouse or begin at another downtown Seattle location, such as King Street Station, Pioneer Square, UPS Waterfall Garden Park, etc.
If we're running behind, we can adjust the route or skip a location to make sure you arrive at the courthouse on time.
We offer photography coverage starting at 1.5 hours, with 2- and 3-hour options for couples who would like more portraits, additional locations, or photographs with family and friends.
We'll help you plan the photography timeline around your confirmed ceremony details, allowing time for travel, security, check-in, and possible delays.
You don't need a full-day wedding to have a beautiful collection of photographs.
1.5 Hours — Courthouse & Nearby Portraits
A good fit for couples who want to keep everything simple and intimate.
We can photograph the two of you around the courthouse before check-in, document the ceremony itself, and capture a few moments with your guests.
This option works best with a small group and a flexible schedule.
2 Hours — Courthouse & Downtown Seattle
A little more time for portraits beyond the courthouse.
We can begin at a nearby downtown location, do a short walk through the city, and head to the courthouse for your ceremony.
The exact route will depend on your ceremony schedule, the weather, how comfortable you are walking and how many people will be there with you.
3 Hours — A More Complete Wedding Story
Ideal if you'd like to visit several locations, include more family photographs, or simply have more time together without rushing.
We can plan portraits around Pioneer Square, King Street Station, UPS Waterfall Garden Park, or other downtown locations that fit your preferences.
With longer coverage, there's more room for the moments in between, too.
Courthouse ceremonies can involve unexpected waiting times. We'll plan your photography around your confirmed schedule, with the most important portraits before check-in whenever possible.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
Can we take photos inside the courthouse?
Photography is permitted in designated areas before check-in and during the ceremony. Rooftop access and indoor photo locations depend on courthouse rules and availability. Photography after the ceremony inside the courthouse may be restricted.
Can we choose a rooftop ceremony?
You can express your preference, but rooftop ceremonies aren't guaranteed. Weather, access, and the judge's schedule determine where the ceremony takes place.
Can we bring family and friends?
Yes. The court currently allows up to eight people total, including the couple. If you're planning a larger celebration, we can arrange additional portraits with family and friends outside the courthouse.
When should we schedule our portraits?
I recommend taking most of your couple portraits before check-in. Once you enter the courthouse, the timing becomes less predictable, and there may be limited daylight afterward, particularly in fall and winter.
Do you help with the photography timeline?
Absolutely. Once your ceremony is confirmed, I'll help plan the photography portion of your day, including locations, travel time, as well as when and where we should meet.
Already have a date, or just starting to plan?
Tell me a little about your wedding, how many people will be joining you, and whether you'd prefer to stay near the courthouse or explore downtown Seattle.
I'll help you choose the photography coverage that makes the most sense for your plans.
