How to Get Married at the Laguna Hills Civic Center

Getting married at the Laguna Hills Civic Center is a fantastic choice for couples looking for a modern, efficient, and intimate experience. Located in South Orange County, this branch of the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s office offers a beautiful indoor ceremony room and a much easier parking situation than the historic Santa Ana location.

Step 1: Online Application (Up to 90 Days Prior)

Before visiting the Laguna Hills Civic Center, you must complete the online marriage license application here.

  • Validity: Your application is valid for 90 days once submitted.

  • Select Your Date & Time: When applying, you will be prompted to select your preferred appointment date and time for both the license and the ceremony.

  • Appointment Types: You can choose to just obtain the license or schedule your license and civil ceremony for the same time to keep things simple.

Pro Tip: Choose a Weekday! While the Laguna Hills branch occasionally offers Special Saturday appointments (usually once a month), these days are incredibly busy and often feel rushed. For a more relaxed experience and better access to the best photo spots around the Civic Center, I highly recommend scheduling a mid-week appointment.

Step 2: Prepare for Your Appointment

The Laguna Hills branch is located in Suite 160 of the Civic Center, up the ramp just to the left of the fountain.

  • What to Bring: Valid government-issued photo IDs and a witness (for public licenses).

  • Witnesses: The Clerk-Recorder does not provide witnesses. If you get a public license, you must bring at least one person with you. As your photographer, I am honored to be your witness if you need one!

  • Fees: As of 2026, a public marriage license is $61 and the civil ceremony fee is $28. Each copy of the marriage license is $19.

  • Arrival Time: Plan to arrive 15–30 minutes early. Even with an appointment, there is a short check-in and paperwork process that takes about 10–15 minutes before the ceremony begins.

  • Legal "Name Change": When you sign your license, you must select the new name you wish to use after marriage. Once you sign, you cannot change it without a court order.

Step 3: Ceremony Day at the Courthouse

  • Parking: Unlike Santa Ana, the Laguna Hills Civic Center has a large, free parking lot right in front of the building.

  • Guest Count: The indoor ceremony room is intimate and modern, typically accommodating up to 20 guests. The room comfortably seats about 12-15, with standing room for the remainder up to 20.

  • Photo Opportunities: The Civic Center grounds feature beautifully manicured lawns and a water fountain that are perfect for portraits immediately following your "I do's."

Pro Tip: Tell your guests to arrive early! The ceremony process is short and sweet, and we don’t want to hold up your special day.

Courthouse weddings move quickly, and moments can be easy to miss.

As a courthouse wedding photographer, I help couples:

  • Feel relaxed and confident walking into their ceremony

  • Capture the emotion of the day

  • Take timeless portraits of you two, the ceremony process, and photos with guests

  • Navigate the best photo spots at and around the courthouse

  • Walk away with images that feel intentional, not rushed

If you are planning a courthouse wedding at the Laguna Hills Civic Center and want it documented in a meaningful way, I would love to be there for you.

Step 4: Consider hiring a photographer. Hi, I’m Devan!

Let's photograph your day!

“Oh my gosh, these are INCREDIBLE 🥹❤️ thank you again for everything, your work is truly the best!!!”

Courthouse Wedding Photography Package

  • Up to 1.5 hours of shooting

  • 1 location in Orange County

  • 115+ professionally processed images in an online gallery

  • For reception coverage afterwards, it is $250 per hour with 50+ additional images per hour

  • Elopements are my favorite to capture with their inherent intimacy. This starter package is perfect for a courthouse session to include photos of the ceremony process, photos of you two, and photos with any guests that may be present. I’m there to help guide you through your day!

$850

FAQS on getting married at the Laguna Hills Civic Center

  • Yes! I specialize in courthouse weddings at the Old Orange County Courthouse. I capture every moment of your civil ceremony, from the official signing to candid shots afterward, so you’ll have beautiful, professional photos to remember your special day. I’m here to make your wedding day stress-free and memorable.

  • A public marriage license is $61, and a confidential license is $66. The civil ceremony itself costs roughly $28. If you want multiple certified copies of your marriage certificate, each is an additional $19.

  • Currently, ceremonies are only performed in the designated indoor ceremony room. Outdoor ceremonies (typically by the water fountain or on the lawn) are generally only an option during Special Saturday appointments and are entirely at the discretion of the supervisor on duty. For the most predictable experience, plan for an indoor ceremony followed by an outdoor photo session.

  • If you get a public marriage license, you need at least one witness over 18 to sign the license during your ceremony. Confidential licenses do not require a witness. As your photographer, I am honored to be your witness if you don’t have any guests present!

  • You can apply for your marriage license and schedule your ceremony up to 90 days in advance.

  • For a standard civil ceremony at the Old Orange County Courthouse, the Clerk‑Recorder currently allows up to 20 guests to attend your wedding ceremony in the ceremony rooms.

    • Valid photo ID for both partners

    • Your witness if chosing a public marriage license (and their ID)

    • Rings if you plan to exchange them

  • Marriage services are generally available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They do typically have one Saturday a month that they open for appointments for their Marriage Services.