New Marriage Laws in DC

Good news for those of you marrying in DC! After a bit of a mix up last month, the District of Columbia has finally changed the city’s code requiring couples to obtain a blood test in order to receive a marriage license.  This means that the city’s antiquated law requiring couples to obtain a syphilis test (which studies showed was ineffective in reducing the incidence of syphilis in the city) has been taken out of the city code.  So not only will your marriage license now be easier to get, it will also be cheaper.  Many clinics were charging over $100 for these tests.

Also taken off the books?  A law over 100 years old that banned the marriage of “lunatics” and “idiots.”  So, you know…that’s good news too :)

Still have questions?  Call the Marriage Bureau Section of the DC Government at 202-879-4840 or visit http://www.dccourts.gov/dccourts/superior/family/marriage.jsp

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