Wedding Wednesday – Civil Ceremonies

Getting Hitched at the Courthouse

Recently, I was having brunch with a friend who announced that he has big plans to propose to his girlfriend in the near future, and they want a small destination wedding on the beach in Mexico.  Having had other friends get married in Mexico, I informed him of some of the crazy requirements for having a legal marriage ceremony there:  long waiting periods to obtain a license, extra required documents translated into Spanish, and a plethora of blood tests and x-rays (just to name a few). Yikes!

After learning more about the marriage requirements in Mexico, my friend has stated that he and his betrothed will run down to the local courthouse here in the DC area the day before they leave for Mexico, and have a local civil ceremony before the big party south of the border.  Hmmm.  Is it really that simple?  No, but it’s not too difficult, either.  If a quick, inexpensive, or private civil wedding ceremony is in your cards, you must still plan ahead and do your homework!

Of course, we all know by now that each jurisdiction in the DMV has different requirements, so here we’ve broken down the basics for you.

Washington, DC Civil Weddings 

1. One or both parties must apply for a marriage license at the Marriage Bureau in room 4555 of the Moultrie Courthouse for $35.00.  Allow 3 full days for the license to be issued.
2. While applying for a marriage license, fill out a Civil Wedding Request Form.  According to the DC clerk’s website civil wedding ceremonies are currently booked 2-3 weeks out.   http://www.dccourts.gov/internet/documents/civil_wedding.pdf
3. Get married!  The marriage ceremony room at the courthouse holds 10-15 guests.  There is no cost for the ceremony, and you will receive your official marriage certificate on the same day for a $10.00 fee.

Virginia Courthouse Weddings

1. Both parties must be present to obtain a marriage license.  Confirm with your local county clerk’s office, but most will issue the license same day.  You must marry within 60 days of the license being issued, but you can get married in any county within the commonwealth.
2. Check with the your local clerk’s office regarding the civil ceremony to see if a marriage can be conducted at the courthouse and if appointments are required, as each have different options

For example, in Arlington, a handful of court appointed celebrants located at the courthouse can conduct ceremonies by walk-in or appointment (9:00A-5:00P M-F and by appointment only on the weekends).  There is a $50.00 cash only fee.  I highly recommend making an appointment for obvious reasons.  Here is a link with contact info for the celebrants: http://courts.arlingtonva.us/circuit-court/marriage/

However, the Alexandria Clerk’s Office does not have anyone in the office that can perform a civil ceremony.  Contact the clerk’s office directly for a list of civil officiants, and then schedule an appointment with your chosen celebrant. 

     

         3. Get married!

Maryland Courthouse Weddings

1. One or both parties must obtain a marriage license from the Clerk’s Office in the county that you wish to marry.    The license will not be valid until 6:00AM on the 2^nd business day.
2. There are no Justices of the Peace in MD.  Only a judge, Clerk of the Circuit Court, or an appointed Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court may perform civil ceremonies.  Check with the County Clerk or License Office directly regarding hours and to schedule and an appointment.  Hours vary from office to office, and most counties require a cash only fee of $25.00.

Montgomery County License Department 

240.777.9460

Prince George’s County Clerk

http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/clerkcircuitcourt/Pages/default.aspx

Anne Arundel County

http://www.clerkannearundel.org/license-department/marriage-licenses

* Ceremonies performed 9:00A-12:00P and 1:00P-4:00P, no appointment necessary.  The Courthouse Wedding Chapel holds up to 30 guests. There is a $25.00 fee (cash or credit).

St. Mary’s County

http://mdcourts.gov/clerks/stmarys/marriage.html

* Ceremonies performed at the county courthouse from 2:00P-3:00P M-F.  The county clerk’s office suggests making an appointment when you apply for your marriage license.  There is a $25.00 Cash/Money Order fee for the ceremony.

         3.  Get married!

Wedding Wednesday - Marriage License 101

You’ve got the dress, invitations are sent, and the honeymoon is planned. Your wedding checklist is practically complete, and now you can sit back and enjoy your wedding celebration. Wait! Not so fast. Do you have your marriage license? This week we our topic is marriage license requirements for the DMV area. The importance of obtaining your marriage license often gets over-shadowed by all of
the other more exciting wedding details like floral arrangements and gift registries. Although it may seem like a bit of a pain, it may be the most important pre-wedding task there is! Without it, you won’t be legally married.

Where do you go? When do you need it? How much does it cost? Let’s say that your wedding ceremony is in Maryland, the reception is in DC, but you live in Virginia. What do you do? I’ll tell you. You and/or your lucky fiancé will need to head on down to the MD Circuit Court to apply. You must obtain a marriage license for the jurisdiction in which you will be getting married.

Long gone are the days of blood tests and witnesses, but it’s important to note that requirements for acquiring a marriage license differ from state to state. Keep reading for a break down of the requirements and fees for obtaining a marriage license in our area.

District of Columbia
• Applications for marriage must be made at the Marriage Bureau Office located in Room 4555 of the Moultrie Courthouse at 500 Indiana Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001.
• Cost: $45.00
($35.00 Application Fee, $10.00 Certificate of Marriage Fee - CASH or MONEY ORDER ONLY)
• Only one of the two parties needs to complete the application, but identification in the form of driver’s license, passport, or government issued ID for both parties is required
• 3 full days must pass between the application process and the marriage license being issued. The paid receipt for the application fee is required to pick up the marriage license!
• The marriage license does not expire. Click on this link for office hours and to print a copy of the marriage license application. http://www.dccourts.gov/internet/public/aud_marriage/marriage.jsf


Maryland
• Application should be made through the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office for the county in which you plan on holding your wedding ceremony.
• Fees and office hours differ from county to county, so you must contact the clerk’s office directly. Most clerks’ offices accept CASH ONLY.
• Only one of the two parties needs to complete the application, but identification in the form of driver’s license, passport, or government issued ID for both parties is required.
• The marriage license will be issued at the time of application; however, it is not effective until 6:00AM of the second calendar day after the license has been issued.
• The marriage must take place within 6 months of the effective date.

Virginia
• Applications for marriage can be made with any Clerk of the Circuit Court in any city or county within the Commonwealth of Virginia for a ceremony performed anywhere in the state.
• Cost: $30.00
 (many county clerks’ offices accept Cash or Credit Card, but it’s always best to confirm prior to applying)
• Both applicants must be present to obtain the marriage license, and both must provide proper identification in the form of driver’s license, passport, or government issued ID.
• No waiting period between the marriage license application and the marriage license being issued. A couple can marry immediately after obtaining the marriage license.
• The marriage ceremony must take place within 60 days of the marriage license being issued.