DC Congresswoman Norton To Host Marriage Equality Events
The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced the Congresswoman's reception to celebrate final enactment of the Religious Freedom and Civil Rights Equality Amendment Act on Tuesday, March 2, 6-8 p.m., Rayburn House Office Building, room 2167. Norton will welcome residents, D.C. officials and gay rights organizations that championed the bill. Entertainment will include selections by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington.
Invited Officials: D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, City Council Chairman Vincent Gray, City Council Member David Catania, City Council Member Phil Mendelson.
March 3, 2010
As of March 3, 2010* (*date subject to change pending completion of 30-day congressional review), it will be possible for same sex couples to apply for a marriage license in the District of Columbia.
Here is some basic information on marriage in the District.
To apply for a marriage license in the District of Columbia you must visit the D.C. Superior Court Marriage Bureau located in H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue N.W., Room #4485. Couples and activists will assemble at 8am.
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 building. Please contact Cathy Renna and/or Laura McGinnis for more information and details.
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Human Rights Campaign, 1640 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036 United States
