Not a government site. We do not sell certificates. About us

VitalRecordsByState
Menu

How to get a District of Columbia marriage certificate

In the District of Columbia, get a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the DC Superior Court, Marriage Bureau.1 Marriage records are held by the court, not DC Health.1 Each certified copy costs $101. You can order online, by mail or in person.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What a District of Columbia marriage certificate costs
  3. What the application asks for
  4. Which office holds a marriage record
  5. Forms
  6. Years held and older records
  7. Special situations
  8. Questions people ask
  9. Sources

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online$101––
By mail$101–Check and money order1
In person$101––

Online

Run by
DC Superior Court2
Fees
  • Per copy $101

Good to know

  • Not mailed abroad2
  • Wait for the payment link1

Go to the ordering site2

By mail

Run by
DC Superior Court1
Fees
  • Per copy $101
Payment
Check and money order1
Make payable to
Clerk, DC Superior Court1
Mail to
Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: DC Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913
3

Open the application or mail instructions1

In person

Run by
DC Superior Court1
Fees
  • Per copy $101
Office
2201 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020
4
Hours
Monday - Friday: 08:30 am-05:00 pm1

Open the official page1

What a District of Columbia marriage certificate costs

First certified copy
$101
Each additional copy
$101

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Regular Certified Copy2Motor vehicles, Social Security, divorce; a separate line covers immigration and naturalization2$102
Triple Seals2Authentication for foreign use, per ONCA's older instructions5$202
No record found Search Letter2–$202

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.1

  • Full names of both parties
  • Maiden names
  • Date of the marriage
  • Certificate number if known

Which office holds a marriage record

Certified copies come from the office that recorded the signed license; the years each office holds are listed below. Marriage license vs certificate explains the difference and which copy agencies ask for.

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
1811 to today1
Older records
DC Archives also holds marriage records for early years6

Special situations

Use abroad
Marriage record is obtained from the court for ONCA authentication7

Questions people ask

How much is a certified District of Columbia marriage certificate?

Each certified copy costs $10.1

Can I order a District of Columbia marriage certificate online?

Yes. Online: DC Superior Court.2

Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

Write it exactly as the office prints it: Clerk, DC Superior Court.1

Where are older District of Columbia marriage certificates kept?

DC Archives also holds marriage records for early years.6

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. DC Superior Court Family Court Operations Division - Marriage Bureau pageDistrict of Columbia Courtsdated February 17, 2026
  2. DC Superior Court Marriage Bureau - order certified copy of marriage recordDistrict of Columbia Courtsdated February 12, 2026
  3. DC Birth Application (PDF)DC Health (form hosted by VitalChek; linked from the DC Health vital records page)dated June 1, 2022
  4. Vital recordsDC Health, Vital Records Division
  5. Older undated ONCA mail-in instructions (shows former 441 4th St address); still online; used only…DC Office of the Secretary, ONCA
  6. DC Office of the Secretary, DC ArchivesDC Office of Public Records and Archives
  7. ONCA Mail In Service Center Guide FY26, footer date 4.1.26DC Office of the Secretary, ONCAdated April 1, 2026