UPDATE: Inside info and photos covering D.C. marriage!

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Background information:
By law, three full days must pass between the day of application to the day that the license can be issued. (e.g. if one files an application on Monday the license cannot be issued until Friday). Each party to the marriage must bring proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, government issued non-driver’s identification, birth certificate, passport, or a similar official document. The application requires the parties to identify the name of the officiant who will perform the marriage ceremony. The officiant is any District of Columbia judge, certain court officials, or anyone who is authorized by a religious organization to officiate marriages, such as a minister, priest, rabbi, imam, so long as he or she is registered with the Marriage Bureau to officiate marriages (To schedule a civil marriage at the courthouse, two weeks’ notice is generally required). In addition, the costs are $35 for the marriage license application and an additional $10 for the Certificate of Marriage. The fee must be paid in cash or by a money order made out to “Clerk of the Court, D.C. Superior Court”. The marriage license application fee (but not the $10 fee for the Certificate) will be waived for those who present a Domestic Partnerships Certificate registered with the District of Columbia under DC Code §32-702 at the time of application. All fees must be paid before the license will be issued.

If you are part of a District of Columbia Domestic Partnership, upon marrying, your Domestic Partnership automatically dissolves and you are simply married. If you are part of a Domestic Partnership or Civil Union from another state, the other state’s law may require you to dissolve it prior to marrying in the District of Columbia. Check the other state’s law about your responsibilities and obligations relating to dissolving that legal relationship prior to marrying.

Marriage ceremonies will begin March 9, 2010:
There are several wedding ceremonies at which media will be welcome, including two wedding ceremonies to be held at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Forum. Please contact Cathy Renna and/or Laura McGinnis for more information and details.