District of Columbia Marriage License Requirements
In the District of Columbia, applicants must present a government-issued photo ID, proof of age, and a Social Security number or complete a no-SSN affidavit. The minimum age to marry is 18 without parental consent. Individuals aged 16 or 17 may marry with documented parental or guardian consent, while those under 16 are not permitted to marry. No blood test is required, and the District has no residency requirement for applicants.
A marriage license in the District of Columbia requires at least one witness who is 18 years of age or older, though the District allows couples to self-solemnize without an officiant. There is no waiting period between application and license issuance, and licenses do not expire. Applications are processed through a single citywide Marriage Bureau rather than county-level offices. The application fee is $45, and online applications are accepted. Individuals should confirm all eligibility requirements and procedures with the District of Columbia Marriage Bureau or the District's official statutes before applying.
| Requirement | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| License fee | $45 (statewide; DC Marriage Bureau, Superior Court) |
| Fee set by | State (statewide) |
| Waiting period | none (DC eliminated its 3-day wait) |
| License validity | no expiration (DC license does not expire once issued) |
| ID required | government photo ID; proof of age; SSN (or no-SSN affidavit) |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with parental/guardian consent; under 16 not permitted |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | 1 witness (18+); couple may also self-solemnize |
| Online option | apply online via the DC Courts marriage portal; self-uniting/self-solemnization allowed |
| Where to apply | DC Marriage Bureau (Superior Court of DC) — single citywide office |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Confirm locally. Requirements come from public-record state law and can change. Verify with the issuing county clerk or state .gov. Informational only — not legal advice.
Find your state's requirements →