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District of Columbia exact answer

Can a minor apply for a marriage license in District of Columbia?

This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.

Direct answer

In District of Columbia, no marriage license may be issued to an applicant under 18. District law directs the Clerk not to issue a license to anyone under 18, and the Marriage Bureau publishes the same minimum age with no consent exception. This text is in force under temporary legislation that expires on 13 August 2026. The permanent codification of the same section still allows an applicant under 18 to marry with a parent's or guardian's consent, so this rule must be re-checked after that date; see source conflict notes.

Published rule and conditions

Minor applicant rule
No marriage license may be issued to an applicant under 18. District law directs the Clerk not to issue a license to anyone under 18, and the Marriage Bureau publishes the same minimum age with no consent exception.

This text is in force under temporary legislation that expires on 13 August 2026. The permanent codification of the same section still allows an applicant under 18 to marry with a parent's or guardian's consent, so this rule must be re-checked after that date; see source conflict notes.

Official requirement

If any person intending to marry and seeking a license therefore shall be under 18 years of age, the Mayor or Clerk shall not issue such license.

Issuing office

Marriage Bureau, Superior Court of the District of Columbia

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Official sources for this answer

  • § 46–411. Persons under 18 years of age.Council of the District of Columbia, Code of the District of Columbia - checked July 26, 2026

    If any person intending to marry and seeking a license therefore shall be under 18 years of age, the Mayor or Clerk shall not issue such license. NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on August 13, 2026.

Answer boundary

MarriageLicenseCheck is an independent reference, not the issuing office or legal advice. Applicant facts, timing, prior marriages, and document type can change the result. The official office decides what it will accept.

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