How to get someone to be an officiant in DC? HELP?

katjofred

We want our friend to marry us in DC. We are currently trying to get him registered in DC as an officiant. So far it appears that you have to have someone that is already registered and in the same "church" to sign for a person OR turn in a bunch of paperwork and have a notorized affidavit of a DC resident to have a judge sign off...

Has anyone actually gotten someone registered? I spoke with the state of Virginia and they currently don't recognize online ordinations...we are not religious nor do I want a religious person to marry us, hence we want our friend to be our officiant...they seem to be making it a little difficult.

HELP?

2dBride

Unfortunately, Internet ordinations don't work in DC, either.   Your best bet is probably to find a minister who is willing to perform a completely secular ceremony or a judge.  Alternatively, you could have a brief civil ceremony for paperwork purposes, and then have your friend perform whatever ceremony you want.

christi507

We're having a friend marry us who was ordained online.  I called the marraige bureau in DC and the woman there talked me through all of the requirement and everything.

katjofred

We also talked to the Marriage Bureau in DC. We are filling out and sending in the 4 forms that are needed.

HEADS UP: She told us to get approved is always up in the air, depends on which judge is deciding that day!

We spoke with a local minister that has her own online ordination, she said it is virtually impossible to get registered in DC.

We are going to give it a shot. Worst case scenerio, VA has a "one time officiant" option, you have to put up a $500 cash bond until the license has been turned back in, but at least our friend's signature will be on the license. We live in Virginia so we will just say an I Do before we head downtown if necessary.

Who knew it would be so complicated!