how do i go about getting married in dc?

Moten129

So we're engaged!!! 5 years later... YAY! it happened finallyyyy... 

Anyway, we're planning a wedding in September in 2011 in Frederick, MD. (we wanted to do it at a specific place in DC... but couldn't afford it) 

We obviously need to get officially married in DC.. And we need to do it sooner rather later, because who knows if they'll overturn anything. God forbid. 

Does anyone know what I should do? Who should I contact? What do I need? What do I do?!?!?! 

I'm so confused... and helpless! We only have a few gay friends, none of which who have tied the knot in DC yet. 

Thanks so much in advance

Melissa

2dBride

Here are some links for you:

Washington City Paper story on how to get married in DC
About.com instructions for a DC same-sex marriage

A couple of other things to think about:

A DC court has held that use of a minister ordained online will invalidate the marriage.  Thus, you don't want to pick such an officiant.

It is possible to have your ceremony at any one of a number of monuments for $50.  However, I have been told that there is a substantial additional fee if you want to have a professional photographer there.

Hope this helps!

Moten129

Thanks so much!! It did help.... And good to know about someone not being allowed to be ordained online, cause of course we were thinking about doing that. 

Do you have a list of officiants that we could use? Because I'm somewhat confused on this part.. 

2dBride

You could have a civil wedding for free at the court, though that only allows for 10 to 15 guests.  You need to schedule it 2-3 weeks in advance.

The Marriage Bureau Section of the Family Court also maintains a list of officiants who perform civil marriages within the Court.  Since that is the same place from which you get your marriage license, you could probably get a copy of the list then.

mariemoten129

It's Moten129... something was wrong with my account, so i had to make a new one. 

Anyway- we don't completely mind where we do it, because we're having a ceremony and reception at a later date in September next year... 

So I should start off by doing what? 

2dBride

Basically, you start by getting the license.  If you don't care where you have the wedding, the easiest thing to do is to schedule a civil wedding while you are in getting your license.  You can have that within 2-3 weeks, and then have whatever ceremony you want at a later date.

mariemoten129

So is there a phone number we call to start the license process?

2dBride

You actually have to go there to start the license process.  However, you can call (202) 879-4850 if you have questions.

AmiDenise

We're getting married in DC (and don't live there), so we're using an officiant that does all the legwork for getting our marriage license for us.  She's been wonderful!

http://www.marriagedc.com/