How to Get Married at the DC Courthouse

What a DC courthouse wedding involves

Civil marriages in Washington are handled through the DC Superior Court, and the office that manages applications and ceremonies is the Marriage Bureau. Think of it as the single source for how the process works right now: what documents you need, how to apply, how to schedule, and what it costs. Rules and fees change, so treat anything you read elsewhere, including this post, as a starting point and confirm the current details with the Marriage Bureau directly.

A courthouse wedding here is a civil ceremony, not a religious one. That suits couples who want something short and official, whether they plan a larger celebration later or prefer to keep the day small. The ceremony itself is brief, and the day is built around an appointment rather than a full schedule of vendors and events.

Because the courthouse handles many couples, the experience is efficient and procedural. You apply, you schedule, you appear, and you marry. The planning work sits mostly in the preparation: gathering the right identification, understanding any timing rules, deciding who comes with you and arranging how you will get there and where you will take photos afterward.

For couples who want a cultural or religious ceremony as well, the courthouse step can sit alongside it rather than replace it. Some couples complete the civil requirements first and hold a fuller celebration later, and the logistics of a second event are worth mapping out early. Our post on the Indian wedding baraat in DC shows how one tradition's arrival procession is planned around a Washington ceremony.

Check the requirements before you plan anything else

Before you book a photographer, reserve a car or tell family the plan, confirm the current requirements with the DC Superior Court Marriage Bureau. The list below covers what to ask about. The answers, not this post, are what you should plan around.

1. IdentificationAsk which forms of photo ID are accepted from each person marrying, and what to do if one of you has an out-of-state or expired document.
2. Application stepsConfirm whether you apply in person, online or both, and what information each of you needs to provide.
3. Appointment schedulingAsk how appointments are booked, how far ahead you can book, and what happens if you need to change the date.
4. Waiting and validity rulesAsk whether any waiting period applies between applying and marrying, and how long an approved application stays valid.
5. Ceremony optionsConfirm whether the ceremony happens at the courthouse, who performs it, and whether you can bring your own officiant.
6. Witnesses and guestsAsk how many guests are allowed and whether witnesses are required, since this shapes your guest list.
7. Fees and paymentAsk what the total cost covers, which payment methods are accepted, and whether anything is paid separately.
8. Prior marriagesIf either of you was married before, ask what documentation is needed to show the marriage ended.

Booking your appointment and ceremony

The general flow runs in three parts: apply, schedule and appear. You complete the application with the information the Marriage Bureau asks for, then book an appointment for the ceremony, then arrive on the day with your identification and anything else the office requires. Some couples handle the application and the ceremony in one visit and others split them, depending on the current rules.

When you book, note the practical details: the address and entrance you should use, how early to arrive, and what the office expects you to bring. Courthouse buildings have security screening, so allow time to get through it. If your appointment falls on a weekday morning, plan around commuter traffic into downtown, especially if you are coming in from Virginia or Maryland.

Confirm everything a second time in the week before your appointment. Offices update procedures, hours and scheduling systems, and a quick check by phone or on the court's website can save a wasted trip. If you are planning anything around the appointment, such as photos or a small lunch, keep it flexible until the ceremony time is confirmed in writing.

The ceremony itself is short. You will be greeted, the officiant will walk you through the vows and declarations, and you will sign the paperwork. Ask in advance whether rings are part of the ceremony and whether you can say personal vows, so there are no surprises. Afterward, confirm how and when you receive your marriage certificate, since you may need it for name changes and other records.

Who to bring and what to wear

Guest limits at the courthouse are usually modest, so decide early who comes into the room and who waits outside. Parents, a sibling or a close friend are common choices, and some couples ask one of them to serve as a witness if the office requires one. Confirm the current guest and witness rules with the Marriage Bureau before you issue invitations, and keep the group small enough that everyone fits comfortably.

Attire is entirely your call. Some couples arrive in everyday clothes, others dress up, and both are normal at a courthouse. If you want the day to feel like a wedding, a suit, a dress or a small bouquet reads clearly in photos without being formal. If you plan a larger celebration later, you might save the full wedding attire for that day and keep the courthouse simple.

Comfort matters more than you might expect. You may stand for a while, walk through security, and spend time outdoors for photos, so choose shoes you can move in. In summer, Washington heat and humidity are real, and in winter the walk from the car can be cold and windy. A light layer, a wrap or a jacket helps, and a small bag for documents, rings and a phone is easier than carrying things by hand.

If you are dressing up, think about how you will travel. A long gown or a wide dress is easier to manage in a vehicle with room to sit and step out gracefully, and a sedan or SUV works well for a couple and a few guests. Our wedding fleet page lists the typical seat ranges, and the exact vehicle is confirmed on your written quote before anything is booked.

Comparing courthouse options at a glance

Most courthouse weddings fall into one of three shapes: just the two of you, a small group of family and close friends, or a civil ceremony that serves as the legal start to a bigger celebration later. Each shape changes how many people you move and what you plan after the appointment.

Use the table below as a starting point only. Confirm the current rules for witnesses, guests and the ceremony with the DC Superior Court Marriage Bureau, since these details are set by the court, not by us.

Photos near the courthouse

The courthouse sits close to some of the most recognizable backdrops in the city, which makes a short photo session easy to fit around your appointment. Many couples walk or ride a few minutes to the US Capitol grounds and the Supreme Court for wide, formal shots, and to Union Station for its grand interior and columns. Access, permits and timing vary, so check with the site or your photographer before you count on a particular spot.

Closer still, the streets around Judiciary Square and Pennsylvania Avenue give you neoclassical buildings and long sightlines without much travel. If you want greenery, the lawns and paths of the National Mall are a short ride away. Crowds build as the morning goes on, so an early appointment often leaves more room for photos.

In warm months, plan for heat and shade, and in winter, keep a warm layer you can slip off for pictures. If you are building a longer portrait session into the day, our wedding photo tour transportation covers how a car and driver can wait between stops.

A sample morning for a courthouse wedding

Every courthouse day runs on the court's schedule, so treat this as a shape rather than a fixed plan. Build in extra time for documents, security and finding the right office, and confirm your appointment time and arrival instructions with the Marriage Bureau beforehand.

1. Pickup at home or hotelThe driver arrives early enough that you reach the courthouse with time to spare for documents and security.
2. Arrival and check-inYou go through the court's entrance and report to the Marriage Bureau as instructed, with your documents and any required items in hand.
3. The ceremonyA short civil ceremony, often with a brief wait beforehand. Keep phones and bags with a guest so you can be present.
4. Photos nearbyA short walk or ride to the Capitol grounds, the Supreme Court or Union Station for portraits, kept to a length that suits your group.
5. A meal afterwardBrunch or lunch at a restaurant you have booked, which gives the group a relaxed end to the morning.
6. Ride home or on to the next stopThe car takes you back, or drops guests at a hotel while you continue to a photo session or a larger celebration.

Planning the transportation for your courthouse day

For a two-person ceremony, a sedan or SUV is usually enough, and it keeps the day simple. If parents or a few friends are joining, a stretch limousine seats up to 8 to 10 guests and keeps everyone together. A larger family group can travel in an Escalade limo for up to 12 to 14 guests, or a Sprinter limo van for up to 10 to 14 with standing room and easier entry in a gown. The exact vehicle is confirmed on your quote.

A courthouse morning has little slack, so the value of a written plan is in the details. Every quote we send is itemized before you book, covering vehicles, hours, gratuity, tolls, parking and any décor requests, and nothing is booked until you accept it. Every wedding also gets one written run sheet shared with you or your planner, and on the day the chauffeur stays in touch with your named contact. That matters when the appointment runs long or photos take a few minutes more.

Think about the whole morning, not just the ride to the court. Do you want the car to wait during the ceremony, or come back at a set time? Will you go on to photos, a meal or a hotel afterward? If family is flying in, a car can collect them from Reagan National or Dulles and bring them to the courthouse or a nearby hotel. Tell us the shape of your day and we will suggest a plan; you can get a free wedding quote to see it in writing. For small ceremonies with cultural or family traditions, our cultural wedding transportation page covers a few more options.

Frequently asked questions