District of Columbia Marriage Laws 

Each state in America, under the federal system of government, is responsible for regulating marriages.  Virtually all states require that individuals be 18 years of age or older before being wed.  Anyone under the age of 18 must typically have parental consent.  As such, couples planning to tie the knot in the District of Columbia must be at least 18 years of age and must provide a valid driver’s license, birth certificate or passport as proof of age.  In addition, both the bride and groom-to-be must provide their social security number, current address, date of birth and home/work phone number. 

Individuals who are under the age of 18 and wish to be married in the District of Columbia must provide signed parental/guardian consent forms.  The District of Columbia does not permit those under the age of 16 to be married. 

The District of Columbia requires a certified blood test, which is valid for 30 days.  In addition, there is a five day waiting period from the time an application is submitted until the time that the couple can be married.  In order to pick up the marriage license, the payment receipt must be provided.  If either of the intended were previously married, an original or certified copy of their divorce decree or previous spouse’s death certificate must be provided. 

The District of Columbia does not have any residential requirements, which means you can exchange vows even if you are not a resident.  Vacationers, former residents and all others are free to tie the knot in the nation’s capitol.  Application and/or marriage license fees may vary, but are believed to be approximately $35.00.  Before arriving to complete an application, you must check with the local courthouse regarding the actual cost and acceptable payment methods.  It’s recommended that all applicants have cash on hand incase credit cards are not accepted. 

Same sex marriage is not permitted in the District of Columbia.  Common law marriages, which are those that a state may acknowledge after a couple has lived together for a certain amount of time, are recognized in the nation’s capitol.  A wedding can be officiated by an ordained minister and/or justice of the peace. 

Planning a wedding may not be required by law, but it certainly makes for a more memorable experience.  There are a number of tranquil locations, resorts and tourist destinations that would make the District of Columbia a wonderful choice for an upcoming wedding. 

The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only.  It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional legal advice.  Marriage laws and requirements can change, which means that you should check with your county courthouse regarding the application process for a marriage license, laws, fees and other requirements.   

To obtain a copy of a District of Columbia marriage certificate, send $10.00 to: DC Superior Court, 500 Indiana Avenue, NW, Rm. 4485, Washington, DC 20001.  Marriage information can be requested by calling 202-879-4840.

Delaware Family Code

Division VIII, Title 46, Subtitle 1, Chapter 4 provide information on District of Columbia marriage laws.