How to Fill out a Washington DC Marriage License (Examples & FAQs)

Asked to officiate a Washington, DC wedding? Want to get married in DC? Whether you're a new wedding officiant or soon to be newlyweds, here’s everything you need to know about the marriage license process, including cost, waiting period, and – most importantly – how to fill out a Washington, DC marriage license correctly the first time!

 

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Need all the details for the wedding day? Start here: 
How to Officiate a Wedding in Washington, DC

 

How to Fill Out Washington, DC Marriage License: Example & FAQs

 

1. How to fill out a Washington, DC marriage license: 

 

In Washington, DC, couples can choose between marrying themselves (no officiant) and having their wedding ceremony performed by a wedding officiant. We cover both options in this guide, with examples on how to sign the marriage license in each case. First, here’s more information on each option – getting married with an officiant’s help, and without. 

 

Getting married with no wedding officiant: In the District of Columbia, a couple can legally perform their own marriage ceremony without a wedding officiant. This is called a “self solemnizing” or “self uniting” wedding ceremony, and is only allowed in a few states and DC. If you’re performing your own marriage ceremony, you will write your names for both the “officiant” and as parties to the marriage on the Certificate of Marriage (example below), and fill in the remaining spaces

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Having a wedding officiant marry you: Many couples enjoy the familiar tradition of having a wedding officiant lead their celebration. An officiant is a trusted person who guides the couple through the ceremony, pronounces them married, and signs the marriage license. This can be a close friend or relative who’s ordained for the occasion, a hired professional, or a traditional local clergy member. If you officiate a wedding in DC, you will sign and print your name on the marriage license as the “officiant,” and fill in the remaining spaces. 

Friends and family members must be ordained before they can officiate a wedding in Washington, DC, and register their credentials (more info below). Likewise, loved ones who are not ordained cannot sign a marriage license. Only couples themselves and authorized officiants can perform weddings in DC. 

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Here are a few additional tips to help you complete a DC Certificate of Marriage:

 

• Use black ink (or a typewriter) to sign and complete the Certificate of Marriage. 

 

• If an authorized officiant performs the ceremony, couples do not need to sign the Certificate of Marriage. The officiant will write their own name, the couple’s names, and sign their own name. (See Example Two below)

 

• Self-Uniting Couples: You will write your names in all spaces marked for the officiant. You will also write your names as the parties to the marriage. Both of you will sign the license in the spot marked “signature of officiant.” (See Example Three below)

 

• Write the couple’s current legal names on the license (pre-marriage name), even if they intend to take their spouse’s last name. If you self-unite, sign using your current legal name.

 

• You do not need a witness to get married in DC, and there are no requirements for a witness signature on the marriage license, even if you self-officiate / self-unite. 

 

• A DC license may have three parts (the original license and two “coupons”). If so, these parts will be clearly labeled. One part is completed and given to the couple following the ceremony, one is kept by the officiant for their records, and the other must be returned to the issuing office within TEN (10) days of the wedding. (§ 46–412(Perm))

 

• Contact the Marriage Bureau directly if you aren’t sure how to fill out the marriage certificate: Washington DC Marriage Bureau

 

• See all Washington, DC marriage laws

 

 

2. Washington, DC Marriage License Examples

 

Below are a few examples of what your completed DC marriage license might look like, depending on the type of ceremony you choose (self-uniting or traditional officiant). 

 

(Please note that your license should be completed in black ink, not red or purple ink. These examples are only for educational purposes.)

Example One: Edited Photo of a DC Marriage License (Certificate of Marriage sample)

 

 

 

 

Example Two: DC Marriage License with Officiant Signature (sample)

 

 

 

 

Example Three: DC Marriage License Self-Solemnizing / Self-Officiating

 

 

Above are several examples of a completed certificate / filled form (DC marriage license). Your license might not look exactly the same, but this sample should be similar enough to help you get started. If you have specific questions about completing the form, contact the Marriage Bureau at the DC Superior Court directly. During a federal government shutdown that impacts the Court, you will need to contact the D.C. Office of the Secretary for information instead.

 

 

3. How to fix a mistake on a Washington, DC marriage certificate?

 

If you make a mistake while filling out the marriage license – such as a misspelled name, wrong color ink, or the wrong location – contact the Marriage Bureau for specific instructions on what to do next. This is usually simple to fix, so don’t panic! In some cases, a clean replacement license might be needed to fix the error. Never use white-out or corrective tape on your marriage license, as this could invalidate the document. 

 

 

4. Does Washington, DC recognize online ordination for wedding officiants?

 

Yes, ministers who are ordained online through a reputable and recognized church, including American Marriage Ministries, are eligible to officiate weddings in Washington, DC and sign your marriage license. 

 

However, all wedding officiants, including AMM Ministers, must also complete DC’s Officiant Application before performing a ceremony there. (You will be able to choose between a standard officiant application or a temporary officiant application.)

 

Click the links below to get ordained in DC to officiate a wedding, and learn more about the minister registration process for new DC wedding officiants:

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Keep in mind that some online churches may not be recognized in all parts of the US, and that officiants ordained with these organizations may not be qualified to perform marriages in DC. If your officiant is ordained online with a church other than American Marriage Ministries, it’s important to verify their minister credentials before they perform your wedding ceremony: 

 

• How to Tell if Your Officiant Can Perform a Legal Wedding

 

 

5. Where to apply for a marriage license in DC? 

 

The DC Marriage Bureau issues marriage licenses in The District, and is located inside the Moultrie Courthouse (D.C. Superior Court). Couples can start the marriage license application online or in-person by visiting this office. Most of our sources agree that visiting the office in person is by far the fastest option, and that couples who visit the office in person usually receive their license the same day.

 

• DC Marriage Bureau General Information

 

However, it’s important to note that the Marriage Bureau may be closed during a federal government shutdown. In this case, the DC Office of the Secretary is generally responsible for issuing marriage licenses. Please call ahead to ask about making an appointment and any special requirements during a federal shutdown.

 

 

6. What is the cost of a DC marriage license? 

 

At the time of writing, a marriage license in DC costs about $45. However, marriage license prices sometimes increase to keep up with budget costs. For the most-current Washington, DC marriage license cost, click the link below or contact the Marriage Bureau directly. 

 

• How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?

 

 

7. How long does it take to get a marriage license in Washington, DC? (Waiting period)

 

A DC marriage license can be used the same day it’s issued. However, you must complete the District of Columbia Marriage License Application and receive your license before your wedding takes place. The application process can take a couple hours, up to a couple weeks, depending on how you apply: online or in person.

 

If you complete the application form online, it may take a week or two for the bureau to process your form. This happens because of frequent backlogs in the online system caused by seasonal demand and other factors. 

 

Folks tell us that submitting your application in person is often much faster, and staff may be able to process your application right away, while you wait. To apply for your license in person, visit the DC Marriage Bureau in Room JM-690 of the Moultrie Courthouse (District of Columbia Superior Court). We recommend that you call ahead to see if you need an appointment.

Once your application is processed and the license is issued, you can use it right away. You can get married the same day you receive your marriage license; you must use it within DC. 

 

Learn more: Can You Get Married on the Same Day You Get a Marriage License?

 

 

8. How long is a marriage license good for in Washington, DC?

 

Your DC marriage license never expires, which means you can use it at any time after it’s issued and there are no penalties for delaying your wedding. However, it must be returned within ten (10) days after the ceremony takes place. 

 

If you decide not to get married, we recommend contacting the Marriage Bureau to ask about returning or destroying the unused license. 

 

For more information on how long a marriage license is valid in DC and across the country, check out:

 

• Marriage License Waiting Period, Expiration, and Return

 

 

9. Do you need a marriage license to get married in Washington, DC?

 

Yes, you need a marriage license to get married in Washington, DC – even if you are “self-solemnizing,” or “self-officiating,” a.k.a. getting married without a wedding officiant. The completed marriage certificate must be returned to the issuing office for your marriage to be valid.

 

 

10. How to get a certified copy of a marriage license in Washington, DC?

 

A Certificate of Marriage isn’t legal proof that you were married, so you will probably need to order one or more certified copies of your marriage records. There are two ways to do this: 

 

• Order a certified copy online via District of Columbia Courts: Order Certified Copy Marriage Record

 

• Request a certified copy in person by visiting the Marriage Bureau during regular office hours

 

If you need a Triple Seal marriage certificate in DC (for overseas use, immigration and visa purposes, etc), you will start by obtaining a certified copy as described above (mark “Triple Seal” in the field indicated if using the online form linked above), followed by the authentication process.

 

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