How to Get Married at Los Angeles City Hall: A Complete Guide

If you’re looking to get married in Los Angeles but want to keep your wedding simple, City Hall might be your best option. Some couples even opt to have a legal ceremony now and celebrate with family later. Maybe you just don’t want to spend $30,000 on a single day at the moment. Whatever brought you here, a City Hall wedding in Los Angeles can still be meaningful and beautiful.

I'm Rafeal, a wedding planner and the owner of Cherished Moments Weddings and Events. I plan weddings across Southern California, and I work with couples at every end of the spectrum, from full-scale productions to intimate civil ceremonies.

According to Forbes, the average guest count is down from 184 in 2006 to 131 in 2024. This guide covers everything you need to know to get married at Los Angeles City Hall, from obtaining your marriage license to what to do after you say "I do."

Can You Actually Get Married Inside Los Angeles City Hall?

This is the first thing couples get confused about, so let's clear it up early.

Los Angeles City Hall, the iconic white building in downtown LA, is not a venue for civil marriage ceremonies. It is a government building, and while it is stunning for photos, you cannot have your legal ceremony inside.

Civil marriage ceremonies in Los Angeles are performed through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office. That is where your ceremony is legally held. City Hall is where many couples go afterward for photos, and it is absolutely worth it.

So when people say "Los Angeles City Hall wedding," they typically mean one of two things:

1. A civil ceremony performed at the LA County Clerk's office, followed by photos at City Hall

2. Using the LA City Hall purely as a photo location after a ceremony performed elsewhere

   
   

This guide will walk you through how to do it right.

Step 1: Get Your Marriage License in Los Angeles

Before anything else, you need a marriage license. Here is exactly how that works in Los Angeles County.

Who needs to be there: Both parties must appear in person at an LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office. You cannot send a representative or complete this step online.

What to bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (for example, driver's license, passport, or state ID)

• Your Social Security number (you do not need the physical card, but you need to know the number)

• Payment for the license fee

  
  

Costs: The marriage license fee in Los Angeles County is currently around $91. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount at the LA County Registrar-Recorder website before your visit.

How long the license is valid: Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and your ceremony must take place within that window.

Is there a waiting period? No. California does not require a waiting period. You can get your license and have your ceremony on the same day if you plan it that way.

Where to go: The LA County Clerk has multiple office locations across the county. The main office is in Norwalk, with branch offices in downtown Los Angeles, Van Nuys, and Pomona. Check the county website for current hours and appointment availability before you go, as walk-in availability can vary.

TIP: Go early in the week and early in the morning if possible. County offices can get busy, especially on Fridays. Building in extra time means you are not stressed before one of the most important moments of your life.

Step 2: Book Your Civil Ceremony

Once you have your marriage license, or when you pick it up, you can book your civil ceremony through the LA County Commissioner of Civil Marriages.

Here is what to expect:

Where ceremonies are held: Civil ceremonies are performed at the LA County Clerk's offices. Not every branch location offers ceremonies, so confirm availability when you book.

Cost: The ceremony fee is separate from the marriage license fee. Civil ceremonies through the LA County Clerk are typically around $35, though fees are subject to change. Confirm current pricing directly with the clerk's office.

How long it takes: The ceremony itself is typically under 10 minutes. It is a legal ceremony, not an entire wedding production. But that does not mean it cannot feel meaningful. We’ve worked with several clients to make their civil ceremony feel luxurious and breathtaking. 

How many guests can you bring: Guest capacity at civil ceremony locations is limited. Most offices can accommodate a small group, typically 2 to 4 guests (though some locations may be able to accommodate more). If you want more people to attend, you will need to plan your ceremony differently, which I’ve outlined below.

What the ceremony includes: A civil ceremony includes traditional vows administered by a civil commissioner. It is straightforward and legally binding. You will receive your marriage certificate after the ceremony is complete.

TIP: A civil ceremony does not have to feel like a compromise. You can change the outcome by dressing how you want to feel, bringing a beautiful bouquet, and ensuring you have an amazing photographer to capture all your best moments. The space may be simple, but the moment is yours to make meaningful.

Step 3: Take Your Photos at Los Angeles City Hall

This is where the magic truly happens.

Los Angeles City Hall is one of the most photogenic buildings in Southern California. The grand steps, the Beaux-Arts architecture, and the rotunda inside create a backdrop that looks elevated and timeless in photos. Many couples do their legal ceremony at the County Clerk's office and then head straight to City Hall for portraits.

A few practical tips for photos at City Hall:

Timing matters: The best light for outdoor photos at City Hall is in the morning or late afternoon, before golden hour. Midday light in downtown LA can be harsh and unflattering. If your schedule and photographer allow, plan your photo time accordingly.

The interior: The rotunda and the grand staircase inside City Hall are stunning and often less crowded than the exterior steps. An opportunity to get some amazing one-of-a-kind shots. Just ask your photographer if they have shot there before; familiarity with the location makes a real difference.

Parking in downtown LA: If you’ll be driving there, it’s important not to assume you will find easy street parking on the day of your ceremony. Research nearby parking structures in advance, or arrange transportation, so that figuring out logistics doesn’t eat into your photo time.

Hire a Photographer: City Hall photos are a genre of their own. A good photographer with experience shooting at City Hall will know the best spots, the best timing, and how to work around other visitors and activities.

If you need recommendations for Photographers our clients have loved working with, contact the Cherished Moments team. 

Step 4: Plan What Comes After

One of the most common questions I get from couples doing a City Hall wedding is: What do we do after?

The answer depends entirely on what you want your day to feel like. Here are the most common directions our couples have taken:

An intimate dinner for two or a small group: Some couples have kept it simple, such as a reservation at a restaurant that means something to them. This has included just the two of them or with their closest friends and family. 

A micro reception: If you want to celebrate with more people but do not want a full-scale wedding, a micro reception, typically 15 to 30 guests, gives you the experience of a real celebration without the full production. This is something Cherished Moments helps couples plan regularly.

A larger celebration: Having a legal ceremony doesn’t mean you need to have your reception on the same day. Many couples hold their legal ceremony at City Hall and then plan a larger event months later, sometimes called a "celebration of marriage" or a "sequel wedding." This gives you the legal simplicity now and the celebration experience when you are more prepared.

A honeymoon or trip: Not unheard of, but some couples treat their City Hall wedding as the starting line and head straight into their honeymoon. For them, the wedding is the moment, and the trip is the celebration.

TIP: If you are planning any reception or gathering after your civil ceremony, even a small one, it is worth speaking with a wedding planner early. The details that seem simple can add up quickly, and having support makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone, most importantly, you.

Los Angeles City Hall Wedding vs. Micro Wedding 

If you are deciding between a City Hall ceremony and a micro wedding, here is a straightforward way to think about it:

Choose a City Hall wedding if:

• You want the simplest, most private option

• Budget is a primary consideration

• You are planning a larger celebration for later

• You want a quick, meaningful legal ceremony without the planning overhead

  
  

Choose a micro wedding if:

• You want more than a handful of guests present

• You want a ceremony that is personalized to you (your vows, your music, your setup)

• You want a reception experience, even a small one

• You want more control over the environment and the day

  
  

Both are amazing choices for celebrating your love. In my experience, neither is less than the other; it all comes down to what you actually want your day to look and feel like.

If you are leaning toward a micro wedding or a small reception after your civil ceremony, Cherished Moments can help you create something that feels intentional and personal without becoming a full-scale production.

Tips for Making Your Los Angeles City Hall Wedding Feel Special

Remember that a simple wedding can still feel like a real wedding experience. Here is how to make the most of it:

Dress the part: You do not need a ballroom to wear the dress or the suit you love. Dress for the moment, not for the venue.

Bring a bouquet: Even a simple arrangement of flowers makes a real difference in photos and in how the day feels.

Hire a Photographer: This is the one vendor investment that pays off the most for a City Hall wedding. Even one hour of photography gives you images you will have for the rest of your life.

Make a reservation: Have a plan for after the ceremony, a restaurant you love, a rooftop with a view, a spot that means something to you as a couple. The ceremony may be short, but the day does not have to end there.

Invite only the people who truly matter: The guest limit at a civil ceremony forces you to make a few hard choices, more than you would have with a larger wedding. Be intentional with your selection.

TIP: Some of the most meaningful weddings I have seen were the smallest ones. It is not about the scale of the event. It is about the intention behind it. A City Hall wedding done with care and thought will feel more like a real wedding than a large event that was planned without intention.

Planning a City Hall ceremony or a small celebration in Los Angeles? Cherished Moments works with couples at every scale. Connect with us here and let's talk about what your day could look like.

FAQ: Getting Married at Los Angeles City Hall

Can you get married inside the LA City Hall? 

No. The Los Angeles City Hall is a government building and does not host civil marriage ceremonies. Ceremonies are performed through the LA County Commissioner of Civil Marriages at County Clerk office locations. City Hall is a popular location for wedding photos after the ceremony.

How much does it cost to get married at the LA County Clerk's office? 

The marriage license fee is approximately $91, and the civil ceremony fee is approximately $35, for a combined cost of around $126. Fees are subject to change, so confirm current pricing at the LA County Registrar-Recorder website before your visit.

Do you need an appointment to get a marriage license in LA? 

Appointment availability and walk-in policies vary by location and can change. Check the LA County Registrar-Recorder website for current information before your visit.

What is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate in California? 

A marriage license is the document that gives you legal permission to get married. A marriage certificate is the document you receive after your ceremony has been performed and recorded. You need the license first. The certificate comes after.

Conclusion: Los Angeles City Hall Wedding

A City Hall wedding in Los Angeles is one of the most practical, personal, and underrated ways to get married. It strips away the noise and leaves you with what actually matters: the commitment, the moment, and the people you choose to share it with.

If you are planning a City Hall ceremony, a micro wedding, or a small celebration in Southern California, connect with the Cherished Moments team. We help couples build a day that feels like them, at every scale.

Be sure to also check out our article on how to obtain a marriage licence in Orange County.