Officiating Your Own Wedding: Is It Legal In Dc?

If you're looking to officiate your own wedding in DC, you're in luck! DC is one of the few places where self-officiating weddings are legally recognized. This means that you and your partner can have a ceremony that is entirely led and performed by the two of you. The process is straightforward: you can start by downloading or filling out a Marriage License Application online or in person at the Moultrie Courthouse. After submitting your application and verifying your information, you'll need to pay a fee and provide proof of age with a valid government-issued ID. Once your application is processed, you're good to go! You can then perform the ceremony wherever you like in DC, except at the courthouse itself.

Self-officiating weddings in DC are known as Quaker weddings

Quaker weddings are known for their simplicity and lack of a presiding authority figure. While they are similar to self-uniting weddings in DC, there are some key differences. In a self-uniting wedding, the couple can marry themselves without invoking religious elements, whereas Quaker weddings typically involve God and the guidance of their congregation.

To have a self-officiating wedding in DC, also known as a Quaker wedding, couples need to follow a few simple steps. Firstly, they must obtain a marriage license by applying online or visiting the DC Marriage Bureau at the Moultrie Courthouse. The application fee is $45, but it is waived for couples with a DC Domestic Partnership Certificate. The couple must provide proof of age with a valid ID, such as a driver's license or passport.

Once the application is submitted, a courthouse representative will verify the information. After that, the couple has the freedom to hold their wedding ceremony anywhere and at any time. They can choose to exchange vows at iconic locations like the Lincoln Memorial or even kayak through Georgetown to make it official. The choice is entirely theirs.

After the ceremony, the couple has 10 days to return the signed marriage license to the court. They can do this in person, by mail, or through a representative such as a family friend. The marriage license never expires, so couples can take their time and plan their dream wedding without any time constraints.

Self-officiating weddings, or Quaker weddings, offer couples in DC the opportunity to create a personalized and meaningful experience. By removing the need for a third-party officiant, couples can enjoy a more intimate celebration that aligns with their unique preferences and beliefs.

You can obtain a marriage license online or in person

To begin the process of self-officiating your wedding in Washington, DC, you can start the application online, but you will need to obtain your marriage license in person with you and your partner both present. The DC Marriage Bureau is located in the Moultrie Courthouse at 500 Indiana Avenue NW. You can visit the courthouse between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays to apply for your license.

The process is straightforward. After completing your application, it can be submitted online or in person at the courthouse. Once submitted, a courthouse representative will contact you to verify your information.

The application itself is simple, but you will need to pay a fee. The marriage license application fee is currently $45, or free if you have an original copy of your DC Domestic Partnership Certificate. You'll also need to bring along an ID to prove your age, such as a driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID.

The DC courthouse is only open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., so you'll need to pay for and pick up your marriage license on a weekday. If you applied online, the process will be much faster when you go in person because it will only involve verifying your information, checking your ID, and paying for the license. However, the marriage license never expires, so if you plan to travel to DC for a wedding weekend, you could pick up your license in person on a Friday and then have your ceremony and celebration on the weekend.

After signing the marriage license, you have 10 days to return it to the court. This can be done in person, by mail, or by having someone else return it for you, such as a friend or family member.

Online application

If you choose to apply for your marriage license online, you can download a copy of the Marriage License Application or fill out the Application Online. Once you've completed the application, it can be submitted online.

In-person application

If you prefer to apply in person, you can go to the courthouse to fill out the necessary application. Whether you apply virtually or in person, the information you are required to disclose is the same. At the very least, you need to provide your ages and full names. If you are related, you must disclose the degree of blood relation between you. If you have been married before, you must list previous marriages. If you are under 18, you must provide the names of your parents or guardians.

Fees

The marriage license application fee is $45. If you and your partner entered into a domestic partnership in the past and have a certificate from the District of Columbia to prove it, you can present this when applying for your marriage license to have the fee waived.

Accepted forms of ID

When applying for your marriage license, you will need to bring a valid, government-issued ID to prove your age. This can include a driver's license, government-issued non-driver's ID, or passport.

Minimum age

The minimum age for marriage in the District of Columbia is 18, or 16 with the consent of a parent or guardian.

Processing time

Once your application is processed, you're good to go! As part of your application fee, you'll also be issued a Certificate of Marriage. And the good news is that once your marriage license is issued, it doesn't expire, so you don't need to rush into getting married right away – you can take a few weeks to plan your ceremony.

The marriage license application fee is $45

Self-officiating weddings in Washington, DC

If you're planning a wedding in Washington, DC, you may be interested to know that the district is one of the few places where self-officiating weddings are legally recognized. This means that you and your partner can have a ceremony that is entirely led and performed by the two of you. It's a unique opportunity to create a wedding experience that truly reflects your love and commitment.

The process of obtaining a self-officiated marriage license in Washington, DC is straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

• Start your marriage license application: You can download a copy of the Marriage License Application or fill out the Application Online. The application itself is simple, but you will need to provide basic information such as your names, dates of birth, and social security numbers. You will also need to bring valid government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or passport, and pay the marriage license application fee.
• Submit your application: Once you have completed the application, you can submit it online or in person at the courthouse. The address is: DC Marriage Bureau, Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue, N.W. Room 4485, Washington, D.C. 20001. The courthouse is open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. After submitting your application, a courthouse representative will contact you to verify your information.
• Pay the marriage license application fee: The marriage license application fee is currently $45. This fee includes the cost of the "Certificate of Marriage." If you have an original copy of your DC Domestic Partnership Certificate, the fee is waived. You can pay the fee onsite via cash, credit card, check, or money order directly to the court.
• Complete the application process: After paying the fee, you will return to the marriage bureau with your receipt and complete the remaining application paperwork. At this point, the approved paperwork is handed back to you, but you are not legally married yet.
• Sign the marriage license: On your wedding day, in addition to exchanging vows, you will need to sign the actual marriage license. Some couples choose to do this the next day to avoid any additional stress on their wedding day. Remember, self-officiating weddings cannot take place at the courthouse itself, so be sure to choose another location for your ceremony.
• File the marriage license: After your ceremony, you must return to the DC Marriage Bureau to file your marriage license to ensure that your self-officiated wedding is legally recognized. The marriage license must be returned within 10 days of your wedding to complete the process. You can mail in the completed certificate or submit it in person.

By following these steps and paying the $45 marriage license application fee, you can legally self-officiate your wedding in Washington, DC. This option allows you to create a personalized and intimate wedding experience that reflects your unique love story.

The minimum age for marriage in DC is 18, or 16 with guardian consent

In the District of Columbia, couples can officiate their own weddings. DC is one of only eight states, plus DC, that allow self-officiated marriages. This means that no one has to be present at the ceremony other than the two people getting married.

The process is straightforward: the couple fills out a marriage license application, either online or at the courthouse, and pays a fee of $45 (or free with a valid DC Domestic Partnership Certificate). The couple must also bring ID to prove their age. After the marriage, the couple has 10 days to return the signed marriage license to the court.

While the minimum age for marriage in DC is 18, 16 and 17-year-olds can marry with the consent of a parent or guardian. Minors under 16 require both guardian consent and approval from a judge.

The marriage license never expires

In Washington, D.C., a marriage license never expires. This means that once your marriage license for D.C. is issued, it doesn't expire, and there is no waiting period. The license imposes no deadline on you as a couple. However, the officiant who solemnizes the wedding must return the completed marriage certificate within 10 days of the ceremony to the same clerk's office that issued it.

The process of obtaining a marriage license in D.C. is straightforward. You can download a copy of the Marriage License Application, fill out the Application Online, or go to the courthouse to fill out the application. The address is:

> DC Marriage Bureau – Moultrie Courthouse

> 500 Indiana Avenue, N.W. Room 4485

> Washington, D.C. 20001

> (202) 879-4840

The marriage license application fee is $45, or free if you have an original copy of your D.C. Domestic Partnership Certificate. You'll also need to bring a government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID to prove your age.

After signing the marriage license, you have 10 days to return it to the court. This can be done in person, by mail, or through an officiant or family friend.

Once your application is processed, you will also be issued a Certificate of Marriage. With the marriage license for D.C., you don't need to rush into getting married right away; you can take a few weeks to plan your wedding and decide how you want to elope.

There are only eight states in the U.S., plus D.C., that allow self-officiated marriages. This means that in D.C., you can be your own officiant and marry yourself without the need for a third-party officiant. Self-uniting weddings are quick, cheap, and simple, offering a flexible and affordable alternative to traditional weddings.

Frequently asked questions