District of Columbia Marriage Records

Washington DC Marriage Records can be acquired at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. This recording of nuptials was started in 1811. The Marriage Bureau Section under its Family Court Division maintains the filing and docketing of District of Columbia Marriage Records and assists the public in their review. Marriage Licenses and minister authorizations for marriages performed in DC are also issued by this office and a list of officiants who perform civil marriages within the Court is maintained at the Bureau. Several accounts on DC marriages filed between the years 1811 and 1858 have been transcribed by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library and microfilmed at the Family History Library.

The fee for each certified copy of marriage information is $10. All requests should be accompanied by the required payment in money order made payable to the Clerk, D.C. Superior Court. In addition to the stipulated fee, an extra charge is applicable for payment by credit card online. By law, accounts on marriages are deemed confidential until 50 years from when it took place so there are restrictive procedures for release. Records on file for over 50 years are accessible by the public with no restrictions and don’t require approval.