How to Get a Marriage License in Washington, D.C.

An important step in making your marriage legal is obtaining a marriage license. Following are guidelines on how to obtain a marriage license if you plan to wed in Washington, D. C.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Divorce decree, annulment paper or death certificate, if applicable
• Marriage license application
• Photo identification or certified copies of birth certificates
• Pen
• Cash

1. Apply for the marriage license in person at the Marriage Bureau of the D.C. Superior Court in the H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse. Call the courthouse at [phone] for information and hours of operation.
2. Present proof of age and identity. A driver's license, military identification or passport are acceptable forms of identification.
3. Fill out the application. Applicants may also be asked to provide Social Security numbers, dates of birth for both parties and previous marriage information (city, state, country of each marriage and the ending status of each, such as divorce or death). Home and work telephone numbers for both parties are also requested.
4. Pay the license fee and head to the altar. By law, three full days must pass between the day of application to the day that the license can be issued. The fee payment receipt is required to pick up the license. Marriage licenses are not issued by mail.
5. Verify all information with the local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel arrangements. Marriage license requirements often change.

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Tips & Warnings

• If either applicant has been married previously, bring the certified document that ended his or her last marriage, such as a divorce decree, annulment paper or death certificate.
• The law requires a premarital blood test for syphilis (VDRL) and negative results placed (certified) on a District of Columbia Health Department form, DHS 366, for the license to be issued. The forms for both parties must be submitted at the time of application. This premarital blood test result is only valid for 30 days.
• Religious celebrants and judges other than those of the D.C. Courts must be authorized by the Court and registered by the Marriage Bureau in order to perform legal marriages in the District of Columbia.