What Are Washington, D.C. Marriage Records?

Marriage records in Washington, D.C., document all wedding ceremonies that occurred within the District. Different entities manage these marriage records, and they date back to 1811.

Two main types of marriage records are prevalent in Washington, D.C.: marriage licenses and marriage certificates. A marriage license, as outlined in D.C. Code Section 46-410, is a prerequisite for couples to wed legally. Conversely, a marriage certificate is an official confirmation of a marriage issued post-ceremony.

Typically, marriage records in Washington, D.C., contain vital details such as the complete names of both spouses, the wedding date and location, and the marriage license number. These records can also include the officiant's name and witnesses.

Washington, D.C., marriage records are valuable for individuals in a variety of legal contexts. They can be used for name changes, inheritance claims, or divorce proceedings. Additionally, they play a role in immigration applications and spousal benefit claims.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

In Washington, D.C., the confidentiality of marriage certificates is governed by the Vital Records Modernization Amendment Act of 2018. According to Section 124(i) of this Act, marriage certificates in the District are considered closed records and only become public 100 years after their issuance.

Only the following persons are legally allowed to obtain closed marriage certificates in the District:

• The individuals named on the certificate
• An immediate family member
• A legal representative or attorney
• A person with a court order

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Washington, D.C.?

The Marriage Bureau of the D.C. Superior Court is the primary custodian of marriage records in Washington, D.C. This office holds marriage records from 1811 to the present.

The general process for obtaining marriage records from the bureau is as follows:

• Determine the preferred request method, which is either online, in person, or by mail.
• Make the request by providing information such as the full names of both parties involved in the marriage, the date of the marriage, and the location of the marriage.
• Present a valid government identification.
• Pay the necessary fees.
• Wait for processing and receive a copy of the marriage record.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

In Washington, D.C., individuals seeking a marriage certificate may obtain information or a certified copy.

A certified copy is an official document issued on security paper with an official seal. It serves legal purposes such as name changes, immigration applications, and other official transactions.

On the other hand, an information copy of a marriage certificate is typically used for personal records and genealogy research. It contains the exact details as a certified copy but is not printed on security paper, does not bear an official seal, and cannot be used for legal purposes.

To obtain certified copies of marriage certificates in Washington, D.C., refer to one of the options below:

Online

To request a Washington, D.C, marriage certificate online, follow these steps:

• Visit the Order Certified Copy of Marriage Record platform.
• Fill out the web form by furnishing the following information:
  • Both spouse's full name
  • Certificate number, if applicable
  • Date of marriage
  • Purpose of the request
  • Requester's contact details like mail, email, and phone number
• Pay the required $10 fee using major credit/debit cards.
• Review the details and click submit to finalize the request.
• Wait for processing and receive a copy of the certified marriage certificate via mail.

In Person

Those preferring to request a marriage certificate in person can navigate the following procedure:

• Visit the Marriage Bureau in person:
  • Location: Moultrie Courthouse
  • Address: 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Room JM-690, Washington, D.C. 20001
  • Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
• At the Marriage Bureau, request the certificate by submitting the following details to office staff:
  • Full names of both spouses (including maiden names, if applicable)
  • Date of marriage
  • Marriage certificate number, if available
  • A valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or government-issued ID
• Pay the required fee of $10 per certified copy. The bureau accepts cash, credit/debit cards, and money orders as payment methods.
• If the record is available, requesters will receive it immediately at the counter. If additional verification is needed, they will be informed of the next steps.

By Mail

The general process for requesting a Washington D.C. marriage certificate by mail is as follows:

• Write a request letter that includes the following details:
  • Full names of both spouses
  • Date of marriage
  • Marriage certificate number
  • Purpose of request
  • Requester's contact information
• Include payment of $10 per certified copy in the form of a money order or cashier's check made payable to Clerk, D.C. Superior Court.
• Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive the certified copy by mail.
• Send the complete package to the Marriage Bureau address mentioned above and wait for processing.

NOTE: The Marriage Bureau does not mail internationally unless it is a military base.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

Similar to marriage certificates, marriage licenses in Washington, D.C., are maintained by the Marriage Bureau. As such, those interested in procuring a copy of this document can do so by reaching out to the bureau.

The Marriage Bureau lists the process of obtaining this record through its How to Request a Certified Copy of a Marriage License page. It accepts in-person and by-mail marriage license requests and processes online requests through the Order Certified Copy of Marriage Record platform.

To successfully request a marriage license, individuals must provide crucial information such as the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the marriage certificate number if known. They must also provide their contact information, such as address and phone number, in case follow-up details are required.

The fee for a certified copy of a marriage license is $10 per copy. Processing times vary depending on the request method.

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

Other online resources, apart from the platform offered by the Marriage Bureau, can provide access to Washington, D.C., marriage records. Although these platforms do not issue certified copies, the information they can provide can help confirm the details of marriages occurring in the District.

The D.C. Archives maintains a digital collection of records, including a historical marriage records index. Meanwhile, commercial record retrieval services like RecordsFinder compile publicly available data that allows users to search public records, including marriage records.

To successfully retrieve marriage records from these sources, individuals must provide information such as the names of individuals involved in the marriage, the date of marriage, and location details. Fees may also be required from these sources, which can be charged per search.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

A confidential marriage is a type of marriage where the details of the marriage license and the marriage certificate are kept private and are not publicly accessible. This means that the names of the parties involved and the details of the marriage are not available in public records.

Couples may opt for a confidential marriage for several reasons, including:

• Privacy: They may wish to keep their marriage details private for personal or legal reasons.
• Safety concerns: In cases of domestic violence or stalking, couples may prefer confidentiality to protect their identities.
• Avoiding public scrutiny: Some couples may want to avoid public attention or judgment regarding their relationship.

There are no specific provisions in D.C. law that allow marriages to be conducted confidentially, like in the state of California. Couples seeking privacy in their marriage may need to explore other options, such as requesting a court order to seal their marriage records after the ceremony.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

In Washington, D.C., a marriage license is a necessary legal requirement before a couple can get married. This license is a formal approval granted by the District to allow a marriage to take place.

The application process for this document involves fulfilling specific requirements, submitting necessary documents, and paying a fee. Below is a detailed guidelines on how to apply for a marriage license in Washington, D.C.:

Meet the Age Requirement

The District requires both parties to be at least 18 years old to be able to wed. If either party is 16 years old, they must provide consent of their parents or legal guardian.

Prepare the Required Documents

Among the paperwork that marriage license applicants in Washington, D.C., need are the following:

• Proof of identity such as a U.S. driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID
• Divorce decree or death certificates from previous marriages to confirm the dissolution of prior marriages if applicable

Apply for the Marriage License in Person or Online

The application for a marriage license in Washington, D.C., can be conducted in person and online:

• In Person: Both parties must appear to the Marriage Bureau to apply. They must submit the mentioned documents and complete the necessary forms to complete the application process.
• Online: Couples can apply online by completing the Marriage License Application Web Form and submitting the necessary documents.

Pay the Fee

Marriage licenses in the District cost $45. $35 of this fee can be waived if the applicant has a D.C. Domestic Partnership Certificate (shown at the time of application). All fees must be paid in cash, by credit card, or by check or money order made payable to Clerk, D.C. Superior Court.

Receive the Marriage License

Once all the requirements are met and the fee is paid, the Marriage Bureau will issue the marriage license. There is no waiting period, which means that the license can be used immediately after issuance. Also, the license does not have expiration.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

It is common to encounter mistakes on Washington, D.C., marriage certificates. These occur due to human error or clerical mistakes during the application process. Among the most frequent errors that can occur in these documents are:

• Misspelled names
• Incorrect dates of birth or marriage date
• Incorrect place of marriage
• Missing signatures or information

Those who identified errors in their marriage certificate can take the following steps to correct them:

• Notify the Marriage Bureau about the error by visiting them in person or dialing their telephone at (202) 879-1212.
• Submit a request for correction. This may be a written request to the bureau that shows the evidence of the mistake.
• Provide supporting documentation as proof of the claim, such as valid ID, a court order, or a notarized affidavit that explains the error.
• Once the request is submitted, the bureau will review the request and make the necessary corrections.
• After the processing, the bureau will issue the original marriage certificate along with the amended version.

Are Marriage Records Under the Washington, D.C. Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

The Washington, D.C. Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) protects those who fear for their safety due to experiences of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. It provides participants with a legal substitute address that can be used in place of their actual address and a mail-forwarding service to ensure their real location remains confidential.

Individuals who qualify for the ACP can use the substitute address when applying for a marriage license or registering their marriage. These ACP-protected marriage records are not accessible to the public. They remain confidential, and access is restricted to authorized parties, such as law enforcement or court officials, under specific legal circumstances.

Washington, D.C. Marriage Statistics and Trends

As of 2018, the percentage of married adults in the U.S. has declined to 53% from the 58% recorded in 1995. During the same period, the prevalence of cohabitation has increased, with 7% of Americans choosing to reside with a partner in 2018, up from 3% in 1995.

In Washington, D.C., marriage statistics are as follows:

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