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With its historic buildings, stunning architecture and plenty of green spaces, the nation’s capital is a great elopement destination. And what makes it even more perfect is that DC is a self-solemnization state, meaning that there are no requirements for an officiant or formal ceremony. In other words, you can plan your wedding in whatever way you feel is right.
Some stunning locations for wedding photographs include Capitol Hill, the Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian Castle. For quieter, but equally beautiful scenery, there’s also Tidal Basin, Meridian Hill Park and Meadowlark Gardens.
All states require a marriage license, so you need to ensure that you understand all of the requirements very early in the planning process. Luckily, it’s fairly straightforward in most cases as long as you meet the criteria and follow the state requirements.
Here is what you need to know about getting a marriage license in District of Columbia.
Yes! Same sex marriage is recognized in all states, and at a federal level, under the Respect for Marriage Act which was signed into law in December 2022.
No. Blood tests have been abolished as part of marriage license applications in all 50 states, so don’t worry if you’re afraid of needles!
Once you’ve gotten the admin out of the way, you can get to the part you’ve been dreaming of: the wedding ceremony!
As you’d expect, each state has different requirements to make a marriage legal. Make sure you follow the guide below to get your marriage legally recognized.
There is no requirement for a wedding officiant in District of Columbia. This is because it is a self-solemnization state, where the couple can sign their own marriage license. This means that they can perform their own ceremony, or not have a ceremony at all. Because of their simplicity, self-solemnization states are fantastic destinations for elopements.
Get my step-by-step guide and plan your dream elopement!
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