Washington DC Marriage Officiant Government Registration Requirements
Learn what the marriage officiant registration requirements are in Washington DC. This page covers everything you need to know to legally officiate wedding ceremonies in Washington DC.
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Useful Officiant
Registration Facts
1.
Who can officiate weddings in Washington DC?
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(a) For the purposes of this section, the term:
(1) "Religious" includes or pertains to a belief in a theological doctrine, a belief in and worship of a divine ruling power, a recognition of a supernatural power controlling man's destiny, or a devotion to some principle, strict fidelity or faithfulness, conscientiousness, pious affection, or attachment.
(2) "Society" means a voluntary association of individuals for religious purposes.
(b) For the purpose of preserving the evidence of marriages in the District of Columbia, every minister of any religious society approved or ordained according to the ceremonies of his religious society, whether his residence is in the District of Columbia or elsewhere in the United States or the territories, may be authorized by any judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to celebrate marriages in the District of Columbia. Marriages may also be performed by any judge or justice of any court of record; provided, that marriages of any religious society which does not by its own custom require the intervention of a minister for the celebration of marriages may be solemnized in the manner prescribed and practiced in any such religious society, the license in such case to be issued to, and returns to be made by, a person appointed by such religious society for that purpose. The Clerk of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia or such deputy clerks of the Court as may, in writing, be designated by the Clerk and approved by the Chief Judge, may celebrate marriages in the District of Columbia.
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Washington DC Code § 46-406
Are online ordained ministers recognized in Washington DC?
Yes. All online ordained ministers, including those ordained through AMM are recognized in Washington DC.
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Am I as the minister officiant required to register with the Washington DC Government?
Yes. All officiants must register with the Washington DC Marriage Bureau before they officiate a wedding.
4.What Washington DC office handles officiant registration?
The Marriage Bureau in Washington DC is responsible for officiant registration.
5.How old do I have to be to officiate a wedding in Washington DC?
All Wedding Officiants in Washington DC must be at least 18 years old.
6.Does my residency affect the registration process?
No. Your state or country of residence is irrelevant to the officiant registration process in Washington DC.
7.Do I need to complete a government application before officiating a wedding?
Yes. You must complete either the Officiant Application or the Temporary Officiant Application.
8.Do I need to submit proof of my ministry credentials to the Washington DC government?
No. However it is a good idea to keep personal copies of your Ministry Credentials for your own records.
9.How much does the officiant registration process cost in Washington DC?
It will cost you about $35 or $25 to register as a wedding officiant in Washington DC.
10.How long does it take to register as a wedding officiant in Washington DC?
Depends. We recommend that you begin your registration at least 30 days before the wedding.