Applying for DC Marriage License

psmith1216

Hi All -

I am at the task in my checklist to research getting the marriage license!  The DC court page was pretty good but left me with a few questions.  I then found this site/step by step guide (link below).  For those of you getting married in DC - this looks to be the most helpful information and up to date.

http://washington.org/visiting/experience-dc/pride-in-dc/glbt-marriage 

Wanted to share and hope it helps!

2dBride

This amuses me.  When we wanted to figure out how to get our marriage license in Massachusetts, the most helpful site was also a gay site.  We should start a campaign:  "Allow gays to get married in your state, and you'll get much better explanations of the marriage laws!"

PressMe

Thanks for sharing.  I've been trying to decide when to go apply because I figured it would be really busy right now.  I noticed two things on this site.

1- When I called the marriage office, I was told both partners did not need to be present.  However, bring a copy of both driver's licenses.

2- How do I register in the District as domestic partners?  They get their application fee waived.

lysandramarie

We went last week to apply and I picked it up Tuesday.  Last week it was packed but we still got done in about 30-45 minutes total.  Tuesday took me 10 minutes max.  Make sure you bring cash - that's the only weird thing.  When you get there, sign in on the binder at the front desk then sit down and someone will call you.  You can fill out the app beforehand or do it there while you wait to be called.

lysandramarie

Also the license is good indefinitely so you really can't apply too early!

CaptiolBride

We applied for ours a couple weeks ago both of us had to be there....

2dBride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.weddings.com/Sites/Weddings/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_dc_applying-dc-marriage-license?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:57Discussion:92f85827-0359-4e45-a828-8b5d14febdb6Post:462a4914-cfed-4e96-867a-7070d3b7bb67">Re: Applying for DC Marriage License</a>:
[QUOTE] 2- How do I register in the District as domestic partners?  They get their application fee waived.
Posted by PressMe[/QUOTE]The reason that domestic partners get the registration fee waived is that <a href="http://dchealth.dc.gov/doh/cwp/view,a,3,q,573324,dohNav_GID,1787,dohNav,|33110|33120|33139|.asp" target="_blank">they already paid the same fee to be registered as domestic partners</a>, before same-sex marriage in DC was legal.  Thus, there is no advantage in registering as domestic partners before getting a marriage license.