Weddings
Justice of the Peace as Wedding Officiant
Judge Kidd loves to perform weddings! Weddings come in all shapes and sizes, from large events with bridesmaids, ring-bearers, and the whole nine yards, to private intimate wedding ceremonies with just a few guests, to even simple signing ceremonies. The judge believes it’s important to celebrate and recognize the equal dignity of all of them.
CNBC reports that the average wedding cost was $28,000 in 2022. But not every wedding needs to be that expensive. Some couples choose courthouse wedding ceremonies and courthouse-adjacent ceremonies as a cost-effective alternative.
The Justice Court can help by serving as a cost-effective wedding venue. In 2022, Judge Kidd officiated about 125 weddings both inside and outside the courthouse. As a Spanish speaking wedding officiant, about half of his weddings are in Spanish. In addition, the court often celebrates special wedding events on holidays like Valentine's day and Halloween. So if you're looking for a wedding officiant for a valentine's day wedding or a Halloween wedding, the justice court might be the right place for you. Check below to see coverage of the court's 2023 Valentines day festivities!
In order to be married, you will need to bring a wedding license from a County Clerk. Normally, there is a three-day waiting period in between the license and the ceremony, but the County Clerk may waive the waiting period if you request it. You will also need two adult witnesses. The cost of a courthouse wedding ceremony is $117. The cost of a wedding ceremony outside the courthouse is $100.
Courthouse Weddings
Judge Kidd loves to officiate courthouse weddings. At the justice court, we have married couples from all over the Willamette Valley. Most couples come from Salem and Marion County, but we also serve as wedding officiant for couples from Corvallis, Dallas, Albany, Lincoln City, McMinnville, Oregon City, Wilsonville, and Portland, among others. In order to schedule a courthouse wedding, please call 503.576.7200 to check with the clerks for availability. (The office's phone hours are from 8:00-12:00 in the morning and from 1:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon.) The court is sometimes able to accommodate same-day weddings, but please call to confirm.
The latest courthouse wedding we can schedule is at 4:00 PM. Please make sure to arrive on time. If you are late, especially for a 4:00 wedding, the Court may not be able to accommodate you that day.
The law requires two adult witnesses. For a courthouse wedding, you may bring your own witnesses, or the court clerks can serve as witnesses. The cost of a courthouse wedding ceremony is $117.
Weddings Outside the Courthouse
Judge Kidd is also available to officiate weddings outside the courthouse outside of working hours. He officiates weddings at mid-valley locations ranging from Albany to Wilsonville, and ranging from Dallas to Stayton/Sublimity. When a couple selects an out-of-courtroom ceremony, they are responsible for selecting the location. Some popular free wedding venues in the mid-valley include
the Gazebo in the rose garden at Salem's Bush Park,
the Gazebo in downtown Woodburn,
the amphitheater shelter in Aurora, and
the covered bridge in Stayton. Other couples choose to marry at a restaurant, merging the wedding ceremony with the wedding feast. It's really up to you how you would like to celebrate your day.
Court clerks cannot serve as witnesses for an out-of-the-courtroom ceremony. Often couples bring their own witnesses. Sometimes it's necessary to recruit a passer-by to be a wedding witness. They're usually delighted to help!
In order to schedule an out-of-court wedding, please call 503.576.7200 to check with the clerks for availability. (The office's phone hours are from 8:00-12:00 in the morning and from 1:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon.) The cost of an off-campus wedding ceremony is $100.
