Here are the things you must consider when thinking of getting married in DC.
1. Marriage License Application: You need this to get married.
- One of you must apply in person (Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Marriage Bureau, 500 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC Room 4485) or you can have someone apply on your behalf. This cannot be done online.
- The marriage license application processing cost: $35.00 and $10.00 for the certificate. The certificate is a souvenir copy for your record. Total cost is $45. payable in cash or by money order (made out to the Clerk of Court).
Age restriction:
- In order to get married in DC, you must be 18 years old or older. Otherwise, you will need a parent or guardian consent.
Application data:
Social Security Number
Address
Date of Birth
Home and Work Telephone Numbers of both parties
Previous marriages information (status, city and state of divorce/death)
Waiting Period (this really equals a five day process)
There is a three-day waiting period. However this does not include the day you file your application or retrieve it. Therefore, it is a 5 day process.
- Example: If you file your application on Monday the license will not be issued until Friday.
2. Where will you stay.
DC is a gay friendly town. And Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Adams Morgan, and downtown DC are nice areas to enjoy your stay in DC.
3. Want to know how much it might cost to get married in DC?
I can only estimate what your elopement or small wedding would cost:
$500 - $2500. Here's a breakdown.
transportation to the ceremony site (limo, cab, car) $25 - $50
authorized DC wedding officiant $200 - $435
professional photographer (2 hours) optional $350 - $800
professional musician (violinist or guitarist) optional $200
hotel room or suite $135 - $495
celebration dinner with cake and champagne $125 - $200
signing rituals, elopements, weddings, marriage license processing
If you're considering getting married at the DC Marriage Bureau and processing your own marriage license, here's what you need to know: Be prepared to wait 1 - 3 hours to process your marriage application.
Read the parking signs and make sure you comply with the parking rules. Parking violations can cost up to $100 (+ towing).
Have enough quarters (8 minutes/quarter) for 3 hours of meter parking. But you have to move your car after the first 2 hours. Credit cards can be used. And don't park from 3:30 pm on in the rush hour lane.
Be prepared to past through security. Jackets, purses, bags, and you must pass through a metal detector.
If you are applying for the marriage license, leave your camera behind. Otherwise, security will confiscate it. And you will have to retrieve it upon departure.
Monday - Friday (except holidays) the DC Marriage Bureau performs weddings by appointment.
You cannot be more than 15 minutes late for your ceremony.
You should be prepared to wait 1/2 -2 hours for your marriage ceremony to take place (just in case the assigned officiant is delayed).
As your DC wedding officiant (and for a fee), I will go to the DC Marriage Bureau for you and process your marriage application and pick it up. Therefore, I could perform your ceremony where you want and the time you desire (with no waiting).
I am always honored and happy when couples use my services, because I'm an avid supporter for marriage equality, and a believer in equality for all. Performing a gay marriage is my way of demonstrating my love and support for same gender loving couples.
Therefore, I want to help you in every way I can with your wedding or elopement. So call me, Rev. Burns 202.253.3629 (Monday - Sunday 11 am - 7 pm est, and get ready to marry in DC the easy way.
And if you need assistance in processing your DC marriage license, Rev. Burns will process that for you for a small fee.
