St. Augustine Courthouse Wedding Checklist

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1-2 Weeks Before

Confirm both parties are 18+ (17 with parental consent)
Gather divorce dates if previously married
Complete premarital course (FL residents—saves $25 + skips wait)
Call to schedule ceremony: (904) 819-3600
Confirm appointment date & time
Decide on guests (room is intimate)
Book photographer if desired

Documents to Bring

Valid photo ID (both parties)
Social Security numbers (both parties)
Premarital course certificate (if completed)
Divorce dates or death certificate info (if applicable)

Costs

Marriage License	$86 ($61 w/ course)
Ceremony Fee (Clerk-performed)	$30
Certified Copies	$3 each
Estimated Total	$120–125

Day Before

Confirm appointment time
Lay out outfits
Charge phone/camera
Write personal vows (optional)
Confirm photographer meeting time

Wedding Day—What to Bring

Photo ID (both parties)
Marriage license (if obtained separately)
Payment (cash or card)
Wedding rings (if exchanging)
Personal vows (if written)
Tissues

At the Courthouse

Arrive 15 minutes early
Go through security
Check in at Clerk of Courts window
Pay ceremony fee ($30)
Wait to be called
Get married!
Sign marriage license
Order certified copies ($3 each—get 2-3)

After the Ceremony

Celebrate! (photos, lunch, champagne)
Store certified copies safely

Within 1-2 Weeks

Social Security name change
Driver's license update
Update bank accounts & credit cards
Update insurance policies
Update employer/HR records
Update passport (if needed)

St. Johns County Clerk of Court — Marriage Office

Main Office (walk-in): 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084 | Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm

Julington Creek Annex (by appt): 725 Flora Branch Blvd, St. Johns, FL 32259 | Mon–Fri, 9am–3:30pm

Ponte Vedra Annex (by appt): 151 Sawgrass Corners Dr, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 | Mon & Wed, 9am–3:30pm

Phone: (904) 819-3600

Note: FL residents wait 3 days (waived with premarital course). Out-of-state couples can marry same day. License valid 60 days. No witnesses required in Florida. Confirm current fees and hours with the Clerk before your visit.

Frequently asked questions about St. Augustine courthouse weddings

Where is the St. Johns County Courthouse for marriage ceremonies?

The St. Johns County Clerk of Courts is at 4010 Lewis Speedway in St. Augustine, Florida — about a mile west of the historic downtown district. It serves couples from across Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Vilano Beach, and Anastasia Island. Marriage license appointments and judge-officiated ceremonies happen here. The building has free parking, security screening at the entrance, and short ceremony rooms suitable for small groups (typically 6–10 guests).

How much does a courthouse wedding cost in St. Augustine?

Two main costs: the marriage license itself ($86 in St. Johns County, with a 3-day waiting period unless you complete a Florida-approved premarital course; $61 with the course) and the courthouse ceremony fee (around $30 if officiated by a notary or judge). Total: about $90–$120. Photography is the optional add-on most couples choose.

Do I need an appointment for a courthouse wedding in St. Augustine?

Yes — both for the marriage license and the ceremony. Schedule the license appointment first (St. Johns County Clerk's office, 4010 Lewis Speedway), then book the ceremony separately. Walk-ins aren't accepted for ceremonies. Bring valid photo ID, your social security number, and your fiancé.

Can I bring guests to a St. Augustine courthouse wedding?

Yes. The courthouse ceremony rooms in St. Augustine accommodate small groups — typically 6 to 10 people including the couple. Florida law does not require any witnesses for a courthouse marriage. Many couples bring just immediate family, then meet a larger group afterward at one of the historic downtown spots like the Plaza de la Constitución, the Bridge of Lions, or Flagler College's courtyard for portraits.

Where can we take photos after a St. Augustine courthouse wedding?

The most popular spots within a short drive of the courthouse: the Plaza de la Constitución (historic central square), the Bridge of Lions (iconic stone bridge), the bayfront promenade along Avenida Menendez, the Castillo de San Marcos lawn, Lightner Museum gardens, Flagler College's Spanish Renaissance courtyard, and Aviles Street (the oldest street in the U.S.). Most are 5–10 minutes from the courthouse.

What's the difference between a courthouse wedding and an elopement?

A courthouse wedding is officiated by a notary or judge inside the St. Johns County Courthouse — fast, civil, low-cost. An elopement is a small, intentional ceremony with your own officiant at a meaningful location (the beach at Anastasia State Park, a downtown plaza, a private inn courtyard). Elopements take a bit more planning but feel more personal. Both are legal Florida marriages — the difference is location and feel.