A black-and-white photo of a smiling couple standing on stairs outside a building; the woman wears a white off-shoulder dress, and the man wears a suit and tie.

Court House Elopement Photos | Matt + Sarah

Eloping, a term that once conjured images of secretive runaway couples, has grown into a popular option for those looking to tie the knot without the fanfare of a big wedding. One of the prominent places in Washington state to elope is the Clark County Courthouse in Vancouver. Matt + Sarah contacted us to capture the ceremony, a few family photos and some couple photos. They chose our 1 hour package which is perfect for getting the must have photos.

A couple stands at the front of a courtroom during their wedding ceremony. The bride holds a bouquet, both wear masks, and a small group of guests sits in the wooden pews observing the event.

A judge in a black robe and mask officiates a wedding ceremony in a courtroom, with the couple, also masked, standing before her. A clear partition separates the judge and the couple.

A bride and groom stand together during a courtroom wedding ceremony, both wearing masks. The bride holds a bouquet of white flowers, and a few masked guests sit in the background observing.

A black-and-white photo of a masked judge in a courtroom officiating a wedding ceremony, holding documents. In the background, seated guests observe the proceedings.

The groom, wearing a mask labeled “Groom,” looks at the bride during a courtroom wedding ceremony. The judge, also masked, stands in the background holding documents.

The bride and groom stand before a masked judge during their courtroom wedding ceremony. The judge reads from a document, and a clear partition separates them at the bench.

The bride, wearing a mask labeled “Bride,” looks at the groom during their courtroom wedding ceremony. The groom’s back is visible as they stand facing each other in a formal setting.

A black-and-white photo of a courtroom wedding ceremony. The judge reads from a document, while the bride and groom, wearing masks, stand facing each other in front of the bench.

A masked judge officiates a courtroom wedding ceremony, reading from a document, while the bride and groom, also masked, stand closely together in front of the judge’s bench.

The groom places a ring on the bride’s finger during their courtroom wedding ceremony. The bride holds a bouquet, and the masked judge stands in the background, officiating the ceremony.

The groom places a ring on the bride’s finger as she holds a bouquet of white flowers during their courtroom wedding. The masked judge officiates from the background.

The bride and groom stand facing each other during their courtroom wedding ceremony, while the masked judge reads from a document. The bride holds a bouquet of white flowers.

Why Elope at Clark County Courthouse?

Simplicity: The straightforward process is ideal for those wanting a stress-free ceremony.
Economical: Save money that might otherwise go to a lavish wedding venue and large guest lists.
Iconic Venue: The historic charm of the Clark County Courthouse offers a memorable setting.

Understanding the Legal Requirements

Before heading to the courthouse, understand the prerequisites:

You need to apply for a marriage license at the Clark County Auditor's Office. There's a three-day waiting period after issuance before you can get married.
Bring government-issued photo IDs (like a driver's license or passport) for both parties.
The marriage license fee varies, so check the current rate on the Clark County website.
Ceremonies take place every week day, Monday-Friday, except Federal holidays (see list below), at 4:30pm. All parties should arrive by 4:15pm.
Appointments are required, at least one day in advance and you must have a valid marriage license. Ceremony appointments will only be scheduled during the valid date range of your marriage license.
Two (2) witnesses – the Court cannot provide them for you. They must be at least 12 years old and understand what they are witnessing.
The Judge will continue until all weddings scheduled for that day have been performed and it is up to them to determine the order of the ceremonies.
Each ceremony is private and only takes a few minutes.
Due to occupancy restrictions, no more than 10 guests will be allowed for any ceremony.

A newlywed couple poses in front of a courthouse with a pink facade, large glass doors, and a sculpture above the entrance. The bride holds a bouquet, and both are dressed formally, smiling.

A newlywed couple walks hand in hand down the steps of the courthouse. The bride holds a bouquet and smiles, wearing a white gown, while the groom wears a suit and tie, both looking joyful.

The bride smiles warmly while holding a bouquet of white flowers. She wears an off-shoulder lace wedding dress, standing in front of lush green trees, creating a serene and elegant portrait.

The bride and groom pose together outdoors, with lush green trees in the background. The bride holds a bouquet of white flowers, wearing an off-shoulder gown, while the groom smiles in a suit and tie.

A couple shares a kiss in front of the Clark County courthouse, framed by neatly trimmed hedges and tall trees. The building’s peach facade is illuminated by warm sunlight, casting soft shadows.

A couple poses outdoors surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage. The golden leaves of a large tree create a warm, picturesque backdrop, complementing the lush greenery and soft sunlight.

After the Ceremony

Obtain certified copies of your marriage certificate for legal purposes.
get some family photos and couple photos. Some couples choose to just get a few outside of the courthouse and some couples want to go get couple photos locally at places such as Downtown Vancouver Waterfront, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, or Waterfront Renaissance Trail.
Many couples choose to have a post-elopement celebration, whether it’s a quiet dinner or a larger gathering.

Click here to learn more about wedding photography we offer for Vancouver Washington weddings!

Court House Elopement Photos