Washington, D.C. City Hall Wedding

At a Glance

What Makes a Washington, D.C. Courthouse Wedding Special

Washington, D.C. is one of the most permissive places in the country to get legally married. No residency requirement, no waiting period, no witnesses needed, and the marriage license never expires once issued. For couples who want a simple, affordable, same-day marriage, the DC courthouse wedding process removes almost every barrier that other jurisdictions put in the way.

What truly sets a DC courthouse wedding apart is self-officiation. You and your partner can legally marry yourselves without any officiant, clergy, or judge present. Both of you sign the marriage license, and you’re married. It’s a rare option that only a handful of U.S. jurisdictions allow, and it makes Washington, D.C. one of the best cities in the country for elopements and intimate courthouse weddings.

The H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse is a working court building, not a wedding venue. Expect metal detectors, security lines, and a utilitarian atmosphere. But at $45 total with no ceremony fee, a DC courthouse wedding is among the most affordable legal marriages available in any major U.S. city. And because the license is valid immediately with no expiration date, couples can pick up their paperwork at the Marriage Bureau and hold their ceremony the same day at any location in the District, from the National Mall to a rooftop restaurant in Georgetown.

Step by Step: How to Get Married in Washington, D.C.

Getting legally married in Washington, D.C. is a two-part process: obtain the DC marriage license, then hold your ceremony. With no waiting period, both can happen on the same day.

1. Decide on your officiant before applying. The officiant’s full name is required on the Washington DC marriage license application. If you’re self-officiating, both partners must appear in person at the Marriage Bureau. If using a temporary officiant (a friend or family member), they’ll need to apply for authorization ($25 fee) in advance.

2. Complete the online application (optional but recommended). Submit your marriage license application through the DC Courts website. Court staff will contact you within 5 business days. At least one party must still appear in person to finalize.

3. Visit the DC Marriage Bureau in person. Go to Room JM-690 at the H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Ave NW, Washington DC 20001. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Bring valid photo IDs for both parties and your Social Security numbers. Budget 2 to 4 hours depending on crowds.

4. Pay the $45 marriage license fee. This covers the $35 application and $10 certified certificate. Cash, credit/debit card, and money order accepted.

5. Receive your Washington DC marriage license. If all documents are in order, you’ll get the license the same day. It’s valid immediately and never expires.

6. Schedule your courthouse ceremony (if applicable). Request a courthouse civil ceremony at least 10 business days after your license is issued. Expect a 2 to 3 week waitlist. Ceremonies are performed by Marriage Bureau staff at no additional cost.

7. Hold your wedding ceremony. Choose your path: a free courthouse civil ceremony, self-officiation anywhere in DC, a ceremony with your own registered officiant, or a virtual ceremony via WebEx.

8. Request your certified marriage certificate. This is a separate step from receiving your license. Submit the yellow request card from your license package at least 2 weeks after your ceremony. Processing takes up to 6 weeks.

Marriage License Details

Documents You’ll Need for Your DC Marriage License

Both partners need to bring:

• Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state-issued ID)
• Social Security numbers
• Parents’ full names, including middle names and maiden names
• Full name and MAS number of your officiant (if not self-officiating)

If one partner cannot appear in person: provide a color photocopy of the absent party’s ID. If the ID is a passport, the copy must be notarized with a raised seal.

No birth certificates, no blood tests, no proof of residency required for your DC marriage license.

DC Marriage License Fee

The Washington DC marriage license costs $45 total ($35 application fee + $10 certified certificate fee).

If you hold an original DC Domestic Partnership Certificate, the total drops to $10.

Payment accepted: cash, credit/debit card, or money order.

Where to Apply for a Washington DC Marriage License

DC Superior Court Marriage Bureau 500 Indiana Ave NW, Room JM-690 Washington, DC 20001 Phone: (202) 879-4840

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Closed on DC and federal holidays. DC observes local holidays beyond the federal calendar, including Emancipation Day (April 16) and DC Statehood Day, so check dccourts.gov for closures before planning your visit.

DC Marriage License Validity

Your DC marriage license is valid indefinitely. It never expires. However, it is only valid for ceremonies performed within the District of Columbia. You cannot use a DC marriage license for a ceremony in Virginia, Maryland, or any other state.

Ordering Certified Marriage Certificate Copies

The certified marriage certificate is not automatically issued after your ceremony. You must request it by submitting the yellow request card included with your license package. Wait at least 2 weeks after the ceremony before submitting your request. Processing takes up to 6 weeks.

Order multiple certified copies. You’ll need them for name changes with the Social Security Administration, your bank, your employer, and the DMV.

Ceremony Details

Option 1: Free Courthouse Civil Ceremony

The DC Marriage Bureau performs civil ceremonies at no additional cost beyond the $45 marriage license fee. Courthouse wedding ceremonies happen Monday through Friday at the Moultrie Courthouse or virtually via WebEx.

You cannot bring your own officiant to the courthouse ceremony. Marriage Bureau staff performs all courthouse civil ceremonies. Schedule at least 10 business days after your license is issued, but plan for a 2 to 3 week wait due to demand.

Option 2: Self-Officiation (DC’s Unique Advantage)

Washington, D.C. allows couples to officiate their own wedding. No officiant, no witnesses, no specific words required. Both partners must appear in person at the Marriage Bureau to obtain the license (this is required for self-officiated marriages, even if one partner could otherwise apply alone).

After signing the marriage license, your self-officiated ceremony can happen anywhere in the District. Self-officiated marriages are fully legal in the United States, though some countries may not recognize them for immigration or legal purposes.

For elopement couples and those who want a private, personal ceremony without a stranger reading from a script, self-officiation is one of the strongest reasons to choose a Washington DC courthouse wedding.

Option 3: Your Own Registered Officiant

Any officiant registered with the DC Marriage Bureau can perform your wedding ceremony. They’ll need an MAS (Marriage Authorization System) number, which you must provide on your marriage license application. All parties must be physically present in DC during the ceremony.

Option 4: Temporary Officiant (Friend or Family Member)

Want your best friend to marry you? An unregistered person can apply for temporary officiant authorization through the Marriage Bureau for a $25 fee. Allow processing time before your ceremony date. This option lets couples personalize their DC wedding without hiring a professional officiant.

Option 5: Religious Ceremony

Any clergy or religious leader authorized by DC can officiate your wedding. The same registration requirements apply as for other officiants.

Photography and Guest Tips for Your DC Courthouse Wedding

Photography Rules at the Courthouse

Photography is only permitted inside the ceremony room at the Moultrie Courthouse. No photos are allowed in hallways, lobbies, or other areas of the building. This rule is strictly enforced.

For couples who want full photography freedom, holding your ceremony at an outside location with a registered officiant (or through self-officiation) gives you complete control over your wedding photos.

Best Wedding Photo Locations Near the DC Courthouse

The Moultrie Courthouse sits in the Judiciary Square area of downtown Washington, D.C. After your marriage license appointment, these locations are all within a short walk or Metro ride:

• The National Mall offers the Capitol Building, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial as backdrops for your wedding photos. Free, public, and open year-round.
• The Supreme Court Building and Library of Congress provide grand architectural settings on Capitol Hill, a short Metro ride from Judiciary Square.
• Georgetown Waterfront Park along the Potomac River offers a more relaxed, scenic option for couples wanting waterfront wedding photos.
• The Tidal Basin is especially striking during cherry blossom season (late March through early April), offering one of the most photographed settings in the country.

Guest Capacity at the DC Courthouse

The courthouse does not publish an exact guest limit for civil ceremonies. Groups exceeding the ceremony room’s capacity may need to wait or rotate in. For larger gatherings, an off-site ceremony with a registered officiant is the better choice.

Security Screening

Everyone entering the Moultrie Courthouse must pass through metal detectors and bag checks. Do not bring weapons, mace, razor blades, or anything resembling a weapon. Some confiscated items are never returned. Plan extra time for security, especially with a group of wedding guests.

Practical Tips for Your Washington DC Courthouse Wedding

Arrive at 8:30 AM when the doors open. Wait times can stretch to 4 hours during peak periods. The earlier you arrive, the faster you’ll finish your marriage license application. Check the DC Courts website for a live line tracker before heading over.

Do not arrive late for a scheduled ceremony. It will be canceled with no grace period and no rescheduling priority.

Take the Metro to the courthouse. The nearest station is Judiciary Square on the Red Line, a short walk from the Moultrie Courthouse. Street parking in the Judiciary Square area is limited and metered.

Bring both cash and a card. While credit/debit cards are accepted for the marriage license fee, having cash as a backup avoids any issues with payment processing.

Plan ahead for the certified copy wait. Your marriage license and your certified marriage certificate are two different documents. The license you receive at the Bureau. The certified certificate must be requested separately and takes up to 6 weeks. You’ll need certified copies for name changes, insurance, immigration, and other legal purposes, so factor this timeline into your plans.

Dress comfortably but appropriately. The courthouse is a working court with criminal, family, and domestic cases in session. There is no published dress code, but business casual or smart attire fits the setting. You’ll go through metal detectors, so minimal jewelry and simple accessories make the security line faster.

Consider getting the license and holding your ceremony elsewhere. With same-day license availability and no waiting period, many couples pick up the paperwork at the Marriage Bureau and then hold a more personal ceremony at a DC landmark, park, or private venue the same day. The National Mall, Georgetown, and the Tidal Basin are all popular choices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington DC Courthouse Weddings

Can you get married the same day you get your marriage license in Washington, D.C.?

Yes. DC has no waiting period, and your marriage license is valid the moment it’s issued. If you self-officiate or have a registered officiant ready, you can get legally married the same day you pick up your license. The only exception is the courthouse civil ceremony, which requires scheduling at least 10 business days out and typically has a 2 to 3 week waitlist.

How much does a Washington, D.C. courthouse wedding cost?

The total cost is $45: $35 for the marriage license application and $10 for the certified certificate. The courthouse civil ceremony is free. If you want a temporary officiant (friend or family member), add $25 for their authorization fee. Certified copies of your marriage certificate are available after processing for additional fees.

Do you need witnesses to get married in Washington, D.C.?

No. DC does not require witnesses for any type of marriage ceremony, including self-officiated marriages. You can bring guests to your courthouse wedding if you want, but no one else needs to be present or sign anything for your marriage to be legally valid.

Can you officiate your own wedding in Washington, D.C.?

Yes. Washington, D.C. is one of the few U.S. jurisdictions that allows self-officiation. Both partners sign the marriage license themselves, and no officiant, witnesses, or specific ceremony format is required. Both parties must appear in person at the Marriage Bureau to obtain the license for a self-officiated marriage. Self-officiated marriages performed in DC are legally recognized across all 50 states.