Can You Get Married In Washington DC?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you get married in Washington DC? Unlike many other jurisdictions,

Washington, DC only allows marriages to be performed by an officiant authorized by the court

– you can not have someone perform your ceremony who isn’t authorized by the DC Court Marriage Bureau office.

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How do you get legally married in DC?

What do you need to get a marriage license in Washington, DC? To get a Washington, DC marriage license, couples will need to

show proof of age with a valid driver’s license, a government-issued identification card or a passport to the Clerk of the Court at the DC Marriage Bureau

.

Can you get married in DC right now?


Yes you can, as long as the officiant is willing to give you the court’s copy of the marriage certificate and the DC marriage bureau is open

.

Who can marry you in DC?

The Clerk of the Court of such deputy clerks of the Courts as may, in writing be designated by the Clerk and approved by the Chief Judge of the Court.

A minister, priest, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination or society

($35 fee & application required)

Do you need a witness to get married in Washington, DC?


Witnesses are not required for marriages using a Washington, DC marriage license

. All that is needed for the marriage to be legal is the signature of the authorized, registered wedding officiant whose name is printed on your DC marriage license.

How do you elope in Washington, DC?

To get legally elope in Washington, DC on your own you will need to

apply for your marriage license

. In this amazing and diverse city, you can literally get married anywhere you wish completely on your own. Due to COVID-19, the Washington, DC Marriage Bureau is processing marriage applications remotely.

Can you marry yourself in Washington, DC?


Self-uniting weddings are quick, often lasting less than half an hour; cheap, costing just $45 for the marriage license application

; and simple. All couples must do is show up at the courthouse with government-issued IDs.

How fast can you get married in DC?

It may take

up to 8 weeks

to receive your marriage license via email – if you want to get married in the next 3 months then we strongly recommend using our Legal Online Marriage Package instead of trying to get a DC marriage license.

Can I get married in Maryland right now?


Marriage ceremonies are performed by appointment only

. If you wish to hold your ceremony at the courthouse, please contact the License Department at 240-777-9460 or in person. You must obtain your marriage license before you may schedule a ceremony. The fee for the ceremony is $25 cash or money order.

How can I get married without a wedding?

A marriage without out one is null and void.

There must be an actual marriage ceremony

. There is no specific form or religious rite required for the marriage vows, but the law is clear on what the ceremony must include.

How much does it cost to get married at the courthouse in DC?

The marriage license application fee is

$45.00

. All fees must be paid in cash, credit card or by check or money order (made payable to Clerk, DC Superior Court.)

Can you get a marriage license online?

In most cases,

you can apply for your marriage license online and pick it up in person

. Most states issue marriage licenses for 30-60 days. If you apply for a marriage license online, bring photocopies of all identification and listed requirements to the pickup office.

How do you get a civil wedding?

  1. At least 2 valid IDs of the Couple during Personal Appearance.
  2. Certificate of Attendance in Pre-Marriage Counseling.
  3. PSA Birth Certificate.
  4. Certificate of No Marriage.
  5. Marriage License Application Form.
  6. Barangay Certificate.
  7. Community Tax Certificate.
  8. 1×1 picture.

Why does DC require blood test for marriage?

To get a D.C. marriage license, she and her fiance, Omari Newell, had to have a blood test

to prove to city officials that they are free of syphilis

.

How do you get married if you live in two different states?

  1. A completed marriage license application and the payment of the marriage license fee (if applicable)
  2. Photo ID like a US passport or driver’s license.
  3. Original birth certificate.
  4. Divorce decree if previously married.

How do I change my name after marriage in DC?

To change your name, you will need to visit a DMV Service Center and bring your current DC driver license, learner permit, or non-driver identification card along with one of the following original documents: Certified marriage certificate (name change due to marriage) Divorce decree (name change due to divorce)

What is a quick wedding called?

Today the term “

elopement

” is colloquially used for any marriage performed in haste, with a limited public engagement period or without a public engagement period. Some couples elope because they wish to avoid parental or religious objections.

Can you get married on the National Mall?


Wedding ceremonies are permitted in three locations on the National Mall and Memorial Parks

.

What is elopement risk?

According to Confronting the Risk of Elopement, “Elopement is widely defined as

a dependent resident leaving a facility without observation or knowledge of departure and under circumstances that place the resident’s health, safety, or welfare at risk

.”

Is Sologamy legal?

In a nutshell, sologamy is the act of marrying yourself.

It’s not legally recognised

but you can have a cultural ceremony during which you make vows of commitment to love and respect yourself ’til death do you part. You can tailor the size and format of the ceremony to suit you.

Who can legally marry a couple?


A judge, notary public, justice of the peace, and certain other public servants

often solemnize marriages as part of their job responsibilities. A temporary officiant is someone who is given the legal thumbs up for a day by a state to marry two people.

Can you legally marry yourself?


Legally, self-marriage isn’t legitimate but there are no laws against it

. Sologamy is more of a symbolic ritual than a legal contract, which means you’re allowed to make your own rules. You can have all the fun of the tradition without worrying about pesky paperwork.

What is the easiest state to get married in?

  • The Easiest States to Get Married In #1: Colorado. …
  • The Easiest States to Get Married In #2: Idaho. …
  • The Easiest States to Get Married In #3: Wyoming. …
  • The Easiest States to Get Married In #4: Utah. …
  • The Easiest States to Get Married In #5: Montana. …
  • Finding Your Perfect “I Do” Location.

How do I get married ASAP?

  1. Increase The Use Of Haldi Or Turmeric In Diet. If you wish to get married quickly then you should increase the consumption of yellow colour in your diet and using turmeric or haldi is the best way to do it. …
  2. Use Fragrances. …
  3. Donate At A Girl’s Wedding. …
  4. Buy A Lock. …
  5. Worship the Navagraha. …
  6. Feed A Cow On Thursday.

How do you get married in Virginia without a ceremony?


Both parties must bring with them proper identification – a current, valid US driver’s license, military ID, passport, or notarized copy of a birth certificate

. TIP: It’s normally a good idea to bring multiple forms of ID with you to the courthouse in case you run into any problems.

Can you get married during Covid 19 in Maryland?


A Maryland marriage license can be used—and a marriage ceremony can take place—only in the county where the marriage license is issued

. The license must be obtained and presented to the official who will be performing the marriage ceremony before the ceremony may take place.

Can you get married then have a wedding later?


Yes, you can have a civil ceremony now and a traditional wedding later

! Sure, we love the pomp and circumstance—and flowers, and cake, and gowns—that go along with a traditional wedding, but when it comes to legally tying the knot, none of that is actually required.

Can you get married in Maryland without a license?


Maryland requires that a marriage license be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in the county where the marriage is to take place

. If, however, it is not convenient for you to visit the Clerk’s Office in that county, you may apply using a Non-Resident Marriage License Application-Affidavit.

Can I marry my dog?

Can you secretly get married?


A secret marriage is a pretty simple concept. It’s the exact same as a regular marriage with one exception; nobody knows about it

. With a secret wedding, there can still be a sharing of vows and there can still be an officiant citing bible verses and an exchange of rings.

Can foreigners get married in Washington state?


Both parties must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid form of photo identification, a U.S. passport, driver’s license, military ID

. You’ll also need your Social Security card. If you don’t have a Social Security number, you can still marry, but you may need to sign a declaration that you don’t have one.

How long does it take to get a marriage license in Virginia?

What do you do with marriage license after wedding?

After your wedding, you need to

make sure that your Certificate of Marriage is duly submitted to the Local Civil Registrar’s office (LCR) for proper registration and endorsement to the PSA

. After that, you wait until a PSA-certified copy of your marriage certificate is made available for you and your spouse.

How quickly can you get married in DC?

It may take

up to 8 weeks

to receive your marriage license via email – if you want to get married in the next 3 months then we strongly recommend using our Legal Online Marriage Package instead of trying to get a DC marriage license.

Can you get a marriage license online?

In most cases,

you can apply for your marriage license online and pick it up in person

. Most states issue marriage licenses for 30-60 days. If you apply for a marriage license online, bring photocopies of all identification and listed requirements to the pickup office.

How do you get a civil wedding?

  1. At least 2 valid IDs of the Couple during Personal Appearance.
  2. Certificate of Attendance in Pre-Marriage Counseling.
  3. PSA Birth Certificate.
  4. Certificate of No Marriage.
  5. Marriage License Application Form.
  6. Barangay Certificate.
  7. Community Tax Certificate.
  8. 1×1 picture.
Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.