Planning Your Downtown Norfolk Courthouse Wedding
How to have a courthouse elopement in Norfolk, Virginia
Can you get married at the Norfolk Courthouse?
Yes. The Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk’s Office can issue marriage licenses and certificates as well as perform ceremonies. The office is located conveniently downtown at 150 St Pauls Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23510.
How much does a courthouse wedding cost?
A courthouse wedding in Norfolk, VA costs $80. That’s $30 for the marriage license and $50 in cash for the marriage commissioner to perform the ceremony. If you’d like a certified copy of the marriage certificate they cost $2.50 each.
How do we get married at the courthouse in norfolk?
- Head down to the Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk’s Office for License, Permits, Finance & Jury Division on the 7th floor to get your marriage license. No appointment is necessary and you can do it easily on the day of your wedding or up to 60 days in advance. You’ll need: the two of you there, a photo ID, your Social Security card or a driver’s license, and $30 in cash, check, Visa, or Mastercard. Getting your Virginia marriage license is easy and here’s even more info.
- After you have your license, go see the Marriage Commissioner in the same building. They do not take appointments for performing ceremonies, just go in during their business hours, 9am-4:30pm. You’ll need to pay for the commissioner $50 in cash.
- Say “I do!”
- Your officiant will need to return the completed marriage license back to the Circuit Court within 7 days of the ceremony. But that’s super simple since they are right there anyways.
Can we take pictures inside the courthouse?
No. Photos are not allowed in the Norfolk Courthouse. You cannot use a cell phone for pictures nor can a professional photographer come inside the courthouse for your ceremony to take photos. They actually make you lock up your phone or put your phone in the car before entering. That’s why I recommend scheduling your wedding on a day that the marriage commissioner willing to go outside is working, so you can still get photos captured of that special moment!
Can we get married outside the courthouse?
Yes. However, you will need to call in advance and likely leave a message waiting for a response. As of spring 2025, there are two Marriage Commissioners (Denisha and Cynthia) working there but only one (Denisha) will go outside to perform ceremonies and they work alternating weeks. I’d recommend calling the Marriage Commissioner ((757) 664-4175) ahead of choosing your wedding date so you can choose a date that Denisha is working if having photos of the moment is important to you.
When is the best time to go get married?
For getting your marriage license, the Circuit Court’s hours are Monday-Friday 8:45am-4:45pm with the exception of some holidays. Any time they’re open is fine but if you are in a hurry, avoid the hours between 12pm and 2pm because the office is working on half staff for lunch. Just leave yourself plenty of time before the office closes in case there is a wait. The marriage commissioners are in the office from 9am-4:30pm but you’ll want to arrive there by at least 4pm.
How long will it take to get married at the Norfolk Courthouse?
The actual ceremonies are very short – about five to ten minutes. If you are getting your marriage license the same day, that is what could take longer if there is a long line. Fridays are by far the busiest day of the week with lines during the day sometimes over an hour. Mondays are hit or miss while Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are best. If you are there on a day with no line, you can do the entire marriage license and ceremony process in 30 minutes.
Where should we park?
- Commercial Parking Garage
- McArthur Center North Garage
- Fountain Park Garage
- You may also be able to find nearby metered street parking even closer
Where should we stay?
There are many incredible places to stay in downtown Norfolk – and they are all a little different depending on what type of vibe you like. From 4 star hotels to bed and breakfasts filled with character, there is something for everyone. Check out these options:
- Glass Light Hotel
- The Main – Hilton
- Waterside Marriott
- Sheraton on Waterside
- The Inn at Four Eleven York (this is also a good venue for elopement and small wedding receptions)
- And look on Airbnb and Vrbo for penthouses overlooking the city or cute houses for rent in the Freemason District
Where in Downtown Norfolk can we have our wedding ceremony?
Ceremony spots not requiring reservations
Besides having your ceremony inside the courthouse or right outside of it, my two favorite spots for an elopement ceremony are at the pier on Brooke Ave and at the end of Freemason Street. There are no permits or reservations are required for either of these locations and they both have beautiful views of the Elizabeth River. Both the pier and Freemason St. have enough space for up to 10 guests to stand around you and your partner.
**Elopement tip- If you are having a wedding inside the courthouse but still want ceremony photos, you can choose to exchange your vows to each other privately somewhere else. Some couples will choose to do this at one of the two locations mentioned above or even hop in the car and drive to a park or beach.
Downtown Norfolk elopement and micro wedding venues
These locations require booking or reserving your space in advance. Booking a designated venue is a good idea if you’re worried about rain on your wedding day, if you want to invite more than a handful of guests, or if you want to have a sit down dinner to celebrate saying “I do.” These are some ideas for spaces that could host your Norfolk micro wedding:
- Four Eleven York Inn and Restaurant (pictured above)
- The Hunter House Victorian Museum
- The rooftop of the Bogobiri Art Haus
- The rooftop of Assembly Norfolk (see more info on Peerspace)
- In the Sky Norfolk
- Have it on the water with American Rover Sailing Cruises or City Cruises
- Your favorite bar or restaurant
- It never hurts to call and ask if they have a private event space or if they take reservations for private dining. If you’re planning to have professional photos of this portion of the day, don’t forget to check with the restaurant to make sure that photography is allowed.
These next micro wedding venues are not directly in Downtown Norfolk but they are great options within a 20 minute driving distance:
- The historic Naro Cinema in Ghent
- The Hermitage Museum and Gardens
- The Norfolk Botanical Gardens
- The Villa
What should we do after our Norfolk Courthouse elopement?
Best places for photos in Downtown Norfolk and ideas for things to do after you tie the knot:
First Landing State Park*
Even more ideas for activities for after your courthouse elopement:
- Walk along Waterside
- Go on a sunset cruise
- Take the Elizabeth River Ferry to Olde Towne Portsmouth
- Visit the Chinese Pagoda and Gardens
- Explore the Neon District
- Visit the Chrysler Museum of Art
- Admire the flowers at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens**
- Grab an ice cream
- Bike along the oceanfront
- Take a peaceful walk at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge*
*- permit required for photos, **- permit required and elopement packages available
Downtown Norfolk Wedding Photo tip:
If you want to get golden hour photos in Downtown Norfolk, you’ll have to plan ahead. That warm, flattering golden hour light usually shows itself in the last hour before sunset. But, in the city where tall buildings block out the majority of the light coming in from the horizon, that light will fade earlier than the official sunset time.
I recommend being in Downtown Norfolk an hour and a half or two before sunset when the streets are not completely shaded yet. Then, when there’s about an hour left before sunset, head towards the water (either at Waterside or in the Freemason District) to take advantage of the best lighting.
Norfolk Courthouse Wedding Packages
what’s included in each Package
Photography coverage
When your wedding day arrives, I can be there from when you start getting ready all the way until the end when you’re watching the sunset. That way, when you look back at your photos, you’ll remember all the special moments in between.
Access to all my planning resources
This includes my 40+ page digital Elopement Planning Guide, questionnaires, packing lists and unlimited consultation.
Personalized vendor recommendations
I’ll send over a list of local Hampton Roads vendors that can help bring your vision to life.
Location suggestions and permit assistance
I’ll suggest some spots for photos (or your ceremony) based on your questionnaire. Then, if you need a permit, I’ll walk you through application process to make things easy-peasy.
A customized day-of timeline
A schedule that makes the most of our time together so that you have a day that’s relaxed, allows room for spontaneity, and includes all of the traditions or activities that are important to you on your wedding day.
Your fully edited online gallery within 8 weeks
The simple-to-use gallery makes it easy to relive your day over and over, share your elopement day with family and friends, and download and print your images.
Full day coverage 6+ hours: Starting at $4800. This is enough time for getting ready photos, your ceremony outside the courthouse and some pictures with family, photos with the two of you around downtown, and a dinner with family or photos at another location in Hampton Roads.
Up to three hours of coverage: $3000. Each additional hour after 3 hours is $700. This amount of time is great for couples who want ceremony photos, a few photos with family, pictures around Downtown Norfolk/the Freemason Neighborhood, and either photos getting ready at your hotel or the start of a dinner.
Up to two hours of coverage: $2000. This is enough time for the ceremony at the Courthouse, photos with your guests and photos around Downtown Norfolk.
Up to one hour of coverage: $1000. This is enough time for the ceremony, a handful of family photos, and a few photos around the Norfolk Courthouse.
Meet your photographer
I’m Hayley-Ann! I’m based in Norfolk, VA and specialize in helping couples craft meaningful elopements and micro weddings that feel true to themselves.
Fill out the form & I’ll be in touch with you soon. The more info you give me the better. I can’t wait to chat with you!
Let’s talk about your wedding day!
“Hayley truly made our elopement day everything we dreamed of and more.
From our very first call with Hayley-Ann, my wife and I just felt at ease. The energy she had, her knowledge, and just the all around vibe were unmatched. As we worked down the stretch to plan all the details of our day, Hayley-Ann took our comments and ideas, and came back with actionable suggestions to bring everything to life.
On the day of she put us at ease right away. It was as if she was one of our closest friends there celebrating with us, yet it was like she wasn’t there with a camera at all. Our photos truly turned out natural, amazing, and surpassed even our wildest hopes. If you’re looking for someone who will elevate the day and give you the memories that you want to last a lifetime, Hayley-Ann is who you need to hire.
– Isaac + Sabrena
Omg! This is so beautiful 😍 Who is their photographer?? Planning to do a last minute court wedding on our anniversary, February 15! ❤️
Thanks so much! I was their photographer 🙂 I hope you had an amazing elopement!
This was sooo extremely helpful thank you so much!
I’m so glad it helped you out!!