Marriage licenses in District of Columbia are handled locally, and the details that matter — the fee, the wait, how long the license lasts — are set by state law. This page collects the statewide rules from District of Columbia’s own official sources, then links every county guide we have verified so far.
The statewide rules
- Who issues the license: Marriage Bureau, Superior Court of the District of Columbia (Moultrie Courthouse, Room JM-690)
- License fee (statewide): $45
- Waiting period: None — the license may be used the same day it is issued
- License validity: Does not expire
- Witnesses: None required
- Minimum age: 18
- Residency / where to apply: No residency requirement stated on the opened Marriage Bureau pages; the ceremony must take place within the District of Columbia
- Who can officiate: Court officials; religious celebrants and non-D.C. judges must be authorized by the Court and registered with the Marriage Bureau; self-officiation by one of the parties is permitted
- Courthouse ceremonies: Yes — a civil wedding with a court official may be requested on the Civil Wedding Request Form; the Bureau schedules the ceremony about 10 business days after the license is issued
District of Columbia counties in this directory
We have published 1 verified county guide for District of Columbia so far. 0 of them publish a separate ceremony fee. Browse them all: Browse all District of Columbia county guides — and use the search on the homepage to jump straight to your county.
Source for the statewide rules: https://dccourts.gov/services/marriage-matters (checked 2026-11-09). County figures are checked separately against each county’s own official page and carry their own verified dates. Always confirm with your county clerk before you go — this is not a government site.