A Vital Document for a Legal LGBT Wedding

Some Helpful Tips for Couples as they decide where to obtain a marriage license Presently, the most opportune location for me to perform a same-sex marriage is Washington, D.C. I know there is considerable anticipation that Maryland will open the door for legal ceremonies, but that has not taken place to date.  There are states where you can travel,  but  the District of Columbia is the only feasible distance for me to respond to a wedding minister request.  I live in the Charlottesville, Virginia area and make many trips to Northern Virginia and the District for same-sex and opposite-sex weddings. Some General Advice Always call the Washington, D.C. Clerk of the Superior Court Marriage Bureau and get details, if it's not already on their website. If you are traveling from a considerable distance, double check what documents you need and have them secured for the trip.  My last same-sex wedding in Washington, D.C.  was January 7, 2012 and the couple indicated that the fee was $45.00. Do you know how long the license is valid from date of purchase? In the District once a couple applies at the Clerk's Office for a license, processing time is generally three (3) days. Therefore, if one is being married by someone who is registered to marry you who is not an officer of the court, but a registered minister such as myself, then you will be able to pick up the license after the three days and be married anywhere in the City at any location of your choice.  However, since many couples will be coming to the District FIRST for making application, and then returning home, the question is:  How long is the license valid once it is ready for pickup.  That is the really good part for consideration. The license has no deadline for use. You can plan to return anytime and retrieve the license in conjunction with a date in the future for a wedding plan. Of course planning must include your return to pick up the license on a week day during operating hours. Most weddings are planned on weekends for convenience of guests, so it behooves a couple to arrive a day or two before a weekend to make sure they obtain the license, which must be provided to the minister before the ceremony.  I invite you to view our blog which is accessed  from the home page of the website at http://www.blueridgerainbowceremonies.org. Here is a link to an older post from March 20, 2010 for some other notes regarding same-sex weddings. That blog entry was entered when same-sex weddings were just approved, and may have some notes for your consideration. Know exactly where you must be married with the license you have purchased This is really important!  You must be married within the District.  Therefore, it makes perfect sense to scout the area for a location while visiting the District during the application phase of your exploration. My last same-sex marriage was performed before a rather large guest list who traveled mostly from Atlanta, Georgia. The location was the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 1330 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20034. It is a large lovely hotel with many restaurants and large rooms for all size ceremonies.  My next same-sex wedding in June is a smaller outdoor event at the Intown Uptown Inn, 4907 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20011. During 2010  same-sex weddings were performed on riverboats, boarding from both the Alexandria, Virginia side of the Potomac River and the DC side of the river.  The Potomac Riverboat Company is located at 205 The Strand, Alexandria, VA 23139, Phone (703) 684-0580. What's interesting about the Alexandria departure is that you are considered in the District as soon as the riverboat leaves the dock, which places a same-sex couple inside the city limits for the marriage. On the District side of the river is Entertainment Cruises, Gangplank Marina, 600 Water Street SW, Washington, DC  20024, Phone (866) 404-8439. What are the responsibilities of a minister performing a legal marriage? A couple must present their license to the minister for review prior to the ceremony.  The license requires only one signature:  the minister.  The license has three copies.  The minister signs the license, providing a copy for the couple to retain,  keeps one copy, and mails a copy to the Clerk of the Court within a week of the ceremony.  The signing of the license following a ceremony makes for a very personal photograph with the minister and couple. Are ministers  performing legal marriages required to register in the District of Columbia? It is acceptable to ask a minister regarding proper registration for performing a wedding in the District of Columbia. Reverend Elisheva Clegg is registered with the Clerk in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, 500 Indiana Avenue N. W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Their phone is (202) 879-4865. A properly registered minister will be on file with the Office of the Clerk. Final Comments This information is tailored for same-sex couples who are seeking assistance for a private personalized wedding at a location selected by a couple by an approved wedding minister who is properly registered in the District of Columbia. If a couple is seeking a civil ceremony performed by an officer of the court, then contact the Clerk for details for length of time for processing a license, and how to arrange for a civil ceremony inside the Courthouse.  Many same-sex couples will obtain a civil ceremony, and at some time in the very near future arrange for a  ceremony away from DC to celebrate their legal wedding before a large gathering of family and friends.  Therefore,  my  website blog may feature vineyards or manor houses, etc., perhaps in Virginia and Maryland , for these extended events to take place.  I am always prepared to assist with the follow-up ceremony, but only after a legal ceremony in DC.  I tell couples that the day of the commitment ceremony is over. When there is an opportunity for a legal wedding, even in isolated pockets of equality in the United States, the time to take advantage must be seized. Blessings ... Reverend Elisheva