How to get married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse

After much planning and dreaming, you and your partner have decided that the Santa Barbara Courthouse is where you want to get married! From the tropical gardens to the Spanish Colonial architecture, it’s the perfect fit for anyone who is looking for a laidback California vibe. Plus the convenience (located just blocks from the beach and numerous amazing venues to host your wedding reception) and affordability, it’s an easy decision to make. This venue makes tying the knot easy, beautiful, and stress-free!

So, the question is—how do you get married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse? It’s relatively simple and requires just a little planning to make your dreams a reality. Here’s an easy guide to planning your wedding at one of the most beautiful courthouses in California!

A 3 step guide to planning your Santa Barbara Courthouse wedding

1. Decide if you want a civil or private ceremony

The Santa Barbara Courthouse offers civil ceremonies and private ceremonies—the difference between these two options is relatively small but still very important!

A civil ceremony

For civil ceremonies, a county clerk (also known as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner) will perform the ceremony. These ceremonies occur on a regular basis during business hours, Monday through Thursday, by appointment only. You may either choose a 60 minute appointment, during which you will get your marriage license and have the ceremony performed or you may choose a 30 minute appointment if you already applied for your marriage license less than 90 days prior to your ceremony appointment. Please note there is a small, non-refundable fee to reserve your appointment.

In addition to the above details, there are a few other important aspects of a civil ceremony to note. First, you are only allowed to have up to eight guests present. This number includes your photographer, so if you’re wanting a larger gathering, you’ll want to consider a private ceremony. Second, for an additional fee, you can have your ceremony held in several alternative locations. For more information on the courthouse policies and COVID-19 safety protocols, please visit their website.

A private ceremony

For private ceremonies, you may hire an officiant to perform your ceremony! These ceremonies also occur on a regular basis. As they will take place in the Exterior Gardens, you will reserve your spot for a three-hour period, either 11 AM to 2 PM or 3 PM to 6 PM. If you have fewer than 15 guests, you’ll have the option to pick between six different locations around the Santa Barbara Courthouse to hold your ceremony at no additional cost. Though, it’s important to note that some of these locations are non-reservable.

For these ceremonies, you’ll also need to obtain your marriage license at least 90 days prior to your ceremony date. Luckily, you can get this license from anywhere in the state of California.

For more information on reservation fees, policies, and a map of ceremony locations, please visit the County of Santa Barbara website.

2. Make your reservation!

Once you and your partner have identified which ceremony type is right for you and your wedding, you’ll need to reserve your appointment.

For civil ceremonies, you can schedule your reservation online up to three months in advance. Please note that the courthouse has a strict one-appointment-per-couple policy and will cancel all appointments if they see multiple have been booked.

For private ceremonies, reservations can be made up to 18 months in advance, though no fewer than 5 business days from the ceremony date. Due to COVID-19, the quickest way to receive information regarding Courthouse weddings, date availability, and the gardens as an overall venue is to email the County of Santa Barbara at weddings@countyofsb.org.

3. Come prepared

If you’re planning on having a civil ceremony, you’ll want to be sure to bring:

• Yourselves—you’ll both need to appear in-person together.

• You’ll both need a valid state-issued form of ID—for example, a driver’s license or passport.

• Payment—you’ll need to pay for your license and ceremony during this time.

Additionally, for both civil and private ceremonies, you’ll need:

• Vendors—depending on your budget, aesthetic, and overall wedding plans, you may need to ensure your vendors are ready and present on the day! This could include your photographer, florist, videographer, officiant, wedding planner, and anyone else you may need.

• Witness—you’ll need someone to sign your marriage license! Make sure they also bring their ID.

• Accessories—depending on the traditions or customs you may want to incorporate into your wedding ceremony, you may need the following items:

  • Rings

  • Veil

  • Cords or ribbons

  • Roses

  • Vows (personal or standard)

Plan, prepare, and party

Getting married at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse comes down to three simple steps: picking your ceremony type, making your reservation, and coming prepared! For those couples who want to keep it classy and lowkey, the courthouse in Santa Barbara is the perfect wedding venue. From small to large weddings, extravagantly planned to minimalistic, this venue caters to all needs and styles.

Be sure to visit the County of Santa Barbara website for the latest COVID-19 policies, prices, and other important updates!