How to get married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse

January 21, 2026

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Hi there! Welcome to my blog where I love to share my couple's love stories and educational tips.

Hi, I'm LAUREN

Planning your Santa Barbara County Courthouse Wedding

All months, including the winter months are a perfect time to get married at the Santa Barbara courthouse — for N&C’s wedding day, it was a perfect 70 degrees and sunny! They planned a small celebration with their close family and friends, had their ceremony outside the Santa Barbara courthouse and we captured stunning golden hour sunset photos on the beach after. It was such a fun and laid back day, perfect for couples looking for a simple wedding day with dreamy photos!

If you’re looking to get married at the Santa Barbara courthouse there’s a variety of different ways to get married there.

How to Get Married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse

The historic Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Barbara, California, is beloved for its stunning Spanish-Colonial architecture, lush gardens, and clock tower views — making it a special place to say “I do.”

1. Get a Marriage License

Before your ceremony, you must obtain a California marriage license. Licenses are issued by the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office (usually Monday through Friday) and are valid for 90 days. Both partners must appear in person, bring valid photo IDs, and pay a fee (typically around $100–$111 depending on license type).

You can begin the application online, but you and your partner must sign for the license together at the office.

2. Choose Your Ceremony Type

There are two main ways to get married at the courthouse:

• Civil Ceremony by a County Clerk
This is a simple, officiated ceremony performed by a County Clerk (often called a Deputy Marriage Commissioner). You can:

Get married indoors in locations like the Hall of Records or Mural Room, or outdoors in garden areas.
Have up to about 8–10 people (including the couple and guests) depending on space.
Schedule your appointment Monday through Friday during business hours, typically between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Fees apply for the ceremony in addition to the license cost, and reservations are required.

• Private Ceremony with Your Own Officiant
If you want more flexibility — such as weekend dates, larger guest counts, or a longer ceremony — you can hire an officiant of your choice. You’ll then:

Reserve a specific lawn, garden, or indoor space through the courthouse reservations office. Popular spots include the Sunken Gardens, Palm Terrace, or Fiesta Stage.
Invite more guests (some spaces accommodate dozens to a couple hundred people).
Set the date any day of the week, including weekends (unlike the civil clerk ceremonies).

3. Planning Tips

Reservations — Book early! Civil ceremony slots and garden reservations can fill up quickly, especially for popular dates in spring and summer.
Witnesses — For a public marriage license, usually one witness (or two) must sign; a confidential license may require none.
Non-Residents Welcome — You don’t need to be a California or U.S. resident to be married here.
Photography — The courthouse grounds are free and open to the public for pictures, making them ideal for wedding photos.

“Free” Outdoor Ceremony With Your Own Officiantant

If your total group (couple, officiant, photographer, guests) is 15 people or fewer, you can simply have a private ceremony in one of the non-reservable outdoor spots around the courthouse grounds (designated areas A–H).

No reservation or permit needed.
It’s first-come, first-served — you can show up and hold your ceremony.
No chairs, arches, or large setups are allowed in these areas.
Your officiant must be legally authorized to solemnize marriages in California.

💡 Good locations for small ceremonies include lawn areas along Anacapa and Figueroa Streets and near the Wedding Tree.

B. Reserved Garden or Mural Room Ceremony With Your Officiant

If you want more space, a specific time, or to accommodate more than 15 people, you’ll need to reserve a spot through the Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation (often via email or Parks reservations).

Here are common options:

Sunken Gardens or Exterior Garden Areas – for medium-large private ceremonies.
Mural Room – an indoor, beautifully painted space (best for all-weather and larger guest counts).

These reserved spaces require a permit and fees, and you must provide your own officiant.

Tips for reservations:

You can reserve up to about 12 months in advance.
Weekend slots fill quickly — book early.

3. Choose & Confirm Your Officiant

Whether you hire a professional officiant or have a friend or family member get ordained online, make sure they:

Are legally authorized to solemnize marriages in California.
Will sign the marriage license after the ceremony, along with you and any required witnesses.

(Note: The officiant and witnesses count toward the 15-person maximum in the non-reservable outdoor areas.)

4. Plan the Ceremony Day

Here are a few practical points:

Weekends are okay — reserved spaces and private ceremonies can happen any day, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Public Space — the courthouse grounds are public, so expect sightseers and no screens or barriers around your ceremony area unless in a reserved garden.
Timing — sunset or late afternoon often gives beautiful light for photos on the grounds.