San Francisco City Hall : How to Get Married at San Francisco City Hall


How to Get Married at
San Francisco City Hall

A guide to the process ~ from getting your marriage license to walking out as newlyweds.

San Francisco City Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in the United States and it happens to be one of the most accessible places in the country to get married. Whether you’re eloping with just a witness or inviting 100 of your closest people, the process is surprisingly approachable once you know how it works.

Let me walk you through it, step by step.

Step 1 ~ Get Your Marriage License

Before anything else, you’ll need a California marriage license. You can get this at City Hall itself, from the County Clerk’s office on the first floor (Room 168), or at any County Clerk’s office in California.

Marriage License Essentials

~ Both parties must be present to apply

~ Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (passport or driver’s license)

~ The fee is approximately $115 (cash or card accepted)

~ The license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue

~ There is no waiting period ~ you can marry the same day you get your license

~ No blood test is required in California

A practical tip: If you can, get your license on a different day than your ceremony. The license process takes 20–40 minutes and you’ll want to feel relaxed and unhurried on your wedding day. That said, many couples do both on the same day — just build in extra time.nd Jamie’s Berkeley world ~ the environments that reflect her practice and her personality. Natural light. Real spaces. The kind of images that make you feel like you already know her before you’ve read a single word on her website.

Step 2 ~ Choose Your Ceremony Type

San Francisco City Hall offers several ways to get married, and the right choice depends on how many guests you’re bringing, your budget, and how much control you want over the ceremony itself.

Civil Ceremony (the classic elopement)

This is the most popular option for couples who want something simple, intimate, and affordable. You can bring up to 6 guests total (including your witness). A Deputy Marriage Commissioner officiates, and the ceremony takes about 3 minutes. You can book 90 days in advance through the SF City Hall website for around $90.

One-Hour Private Ceremony

If you want more space, more guests (up to 100), and more control, this is your option. You rent a designated space for one hour and can bring your own officiant, musicians, and flowers. It books up to 24 months in advance and costs around $1,000.

Full Evening or Saturday Morning Buyout

For couples who want all of City Hall to themselves — the grand staircase, the rotunda, every floor — you can book an exclusive evening rental. It’s the most stunning experience the building offers. These book well in advance and are a significant investment, but the resulting photos and memories are extraordinary.

Step 3 ~ Book Your Appointment


Civil ceremonies are booked through the SF Office of the County Clerk website. Slots are available Monday through Friday and fill up quickly, especially on Fridays. Book as early as your 90-day window allows if you have a specific date in mind.

For private ceremonies and buyouts, contact the SF City Hall event team directly. These require significantly more lead time — often 6–12 months for popular dates.

Timing Tips

  • Morning appointments (before 11am) tend to be less crowded
  • Friday afternoons are the busiest — expect longer waits
  • Midweek is the sweet spot for a calm, intimate feel
  • Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time
  • Ceremonies are booked in half-hour slots, but 3 couples share each slot ~ arrive first to go first

Step 4 ~ Plan Your Day


Here’s where most couples underestimate the time involved. From arrival to ceremony completion is usually 60–90 minutes. Here’s the general flow for a civil ceremony:

1 ~ Check in at Room 160

Arrive 15 minutes early. You’ll check in and receive a number — like a deli counter, but more romantic.

2 ~Wait for your number

Watch the screen in the corridor. When your number appears, head to Room 168 to meet your officiant and complete paperwork.

3~ Move to the ceremony location

Your officiant leads you to your designated spot ~ often the rotunda or a floor landing. Note: no photography is allowed in Room 168 since 2021.

4 ~ The ceremony

It’s brief — about 3 minutes. Savor every second. Say your vows, exchange rings, and sign the license.

5 ~Photo time

The rest of your booked time with your photographer is for portraits throughout the building — and beyond, if you’ve planned locations outside.

Step 5 ~ After the Ceremony, San Francisco is Your Venue

You’ll receive a souvenir marriage certificate on the day. The official recorded copy arrives by mail about two weeks later — this is the one you’ll use for legal name changes and official purposes.

One of the most overlooked advantages of a City Hall wedding is what happens next. Once the ceremony is done, the entire city opens up to you. North Beach for portraits among the vintage neon signs. The Ferry Building for oysters and champagne. Golden Gate Park. The Embarcadero. A quiet wine bar in Hayes Valley. Your entire day is unscheduled ~ yours to fill however you want.

That freedom is rare in a traditional wedding day. Here, it’s the default.


Some Tips for your Day

  • Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment ~ be the first to check in for your slot
  • Complete your marriage license on a separate day if possible. It adds significant time
  • Add a one-hour buffer to your hair and makeup estimate.
  • Don’t book a restaurant reservation for immediately after the ceremony ~ you’ll stress yourself out
  • Traffic around City Hall is consistently bad ~ allow real time for driving and parking

Let’s design your perfect day!

I’ll help you shape a timeline, pick the best spots inside the building, and plan what happens after ~ whether that’s North Beach portraits or a quiet celebration at your favorite restaurant.


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