A court wedding in Nigeria costs ₦20,000–₦60,000 in official registry fees in 2026, but the realistic all-in spend — notice forms, certified marriage certificate, and a small reception — lands most couples at ₦150,000–₦500,000. The Federal Marriage Registry at Ikoyi charges more than your local government registry, and that gap catches people off guard. Here's what nobody tells you up front: a "court wedding" and a "registry marriage" are the same legal event under the Marriage Act — but where you do it changes both the price and the queue. Ikoyi is the prestige choice, and the slowest. Your local LGA marriage registry is cheaper, faster, and just as legally binding. This guide breaks down the 2026 fees, the documents you actually need, and the full timeline from notice to certificate.
A court wedding is the least glamorous and most important part of getting married in Nigeria. Skip the Ikoyi prestige if you don't need it — your local LGA registry gives you the exact same legal certificate for a fraction of the price. Plan the registry leg first, keep certified copies of your certificate in two places, and only then build the traditional and white weddings around it. [Browse verified event planners on ElitePlanners.ng](/browse-planners) to coordinate your full wedding, or [use our Event Cost Calculator](/cost-calculator) to budget all three ceremonies. Related reading: [Average Nigerian wedding cost 2026](/blog/nigerian-wedding-cost-2026) · [Traditional vs white wedding cost 2026](/blog/traditional-vs-white-wedding-cost-2026) · [Nigerian traditional marriage list 2026](/blog/nigerian-traditional-marriage-list-2026)