For a gorgeous city elopement steeped in history, Washington, DC, is the perfect place to tie the knot. With marvelous architecture, beautiful gardens and memorials and monuments at every turn,  DC has no shortage of beautiful locations to stamp your love story into history. The question is — how to elope in Washington DC?

The steps to make your marriage legal, whether an elopement, a micro wedding or a traditional wedding, can feel complicated and tedious. With some planning and a little bit of help, it can be done quickly and stress free! Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license 
• How many witnesses are required
• All inclusive Washington DC elopement packages
• Top booked venues in Washington DC on Simply Eloped
• Post elopement: getting a marriage certificate
• Post elopement: changing your last name

How to Get your Marriage License

Your marriage license is the most important part of your marriage process. This is because to get married in DC, or really anywhere in the US, you need a marriage license. To obtain that, you need to head to The Marriage Bureau which processes marriage license applications both in person and virtually, so you can apply for your marriage license online. 

You’ll need to provide proof of age (you must be 18 or 16 with a parent’s permission in DC) by sharing one of the following documents:

• US valid driver’s license
• Government-issued non-driver’s ID
• Passport

The marriage license application fee is $45.00. Once you receive your marriage license, it does not expire, and there is no required waiting period between getting your marriage license and getting married in DC. You can do both on the same day! Neither party needs to be a resident of DC in order to get married in DC.

Obtaining a Wedding Officiant and Witnesses

At the Marriage Bureau, you may request a Court Officiant for a civil ceremony. If you’d like another officiant, you will need to bring the full name of your intended celebrant. This name must be given at the time of your marriage license application. You are also allowed to self-officiate your wedding in Washington, DC—meaning no witnesses are required, though you’re welcome to have them.

One important note is that both the parties of the wedding and the person performing the wedding must be physically located in DC at the time of your ceremony.

All Inclusive Washington, DC Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your Washington, DC Elopement! Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, and Oasis packages are available in DC. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. To see more information on each of these Washington, DC elopement packages, click here.

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography, hair and make up for one person, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and dedicated Elopement Specialist.

Our Favorite Places to Elope in DC

DC War Memorial

One powerful and memorable spot for an elopement in Washington, DC is the DC War Memorial. This memorial, which honors the fallen DC citizens who served during World War I, features a marble dome structure with arches and steps perfect for your post-elopement photoshoot. 

This venue can be booked up to a year out from the date of your ceremony. It’s wheelchair accessible, pets are allowed on a leash but not inside of the memorial structure, and you can celebrate with up to 20 guests (not including the couple and vendors). Chairs and decor are allowed, but alcohol, candles and sparklers are not. You can play music during your ceremony from a small bluetooth speaker as well. A permit is required to hold your ceremony here, however Simply Eloped’s got you covered. 

Union Station 

If you’re looking for a cheap, outdoor venue, historic Union Station may be the easiest spot in DC. The building’s informal tagline of “Then. Now. Always.” sets the tone for a meaningful and memorable ceremony, and with alcoves and archways surrounding the building, it’s a beautiful location to tie the knot. 

This venue is wheelchair accessible, and if you envision eloping with your pet in tow, they’re welcome to join you on a leash. You can celebrate with up to 10 guests (not including the couple and vendors), and streaming is allowed for any guests wanting to tune into your ceremony virtually, however music and alcohol are not allowed for ceremonies at Union Station. There is ample parking around this venue. No permit is required.

Spanish Steps (Decatur Terrace)

If you’re looking for an outdoor venue in DC between March and November, Spanish Steps is a beautiful park to consider. This gem sits among the large embassies in Northwest DC, and it was constructed in the early 1900s as part of the City Beautiful movement, which aimed to beautify the city with new monuments, parks, and gardens. At the top of the steps, there is a small fountain which creates the perfect backdrop for an intimate wedding ceremony.

This venue is not wheelchair accessible, and does not allow for chairs and decor, including candles and sparklers. If you envision eloping with your pet in tow, they’re welcome to join you on a leash. You can celebrate with up to 20 guests (not including the couple and vendors), and streaming is allowed for any guests wanting to tune into your ceremony virtually. Feel free to play a favorite song either acoustic or on a small bluetooth speaker. This venue can only book six months out, so it’s best for a couple looking for a short engagement. A permit is required, but Simply Eloped has you covered.

Fathom Gallery

If you’re envisioning a rooftop elopement, we love assisting with elopements at Fathom Gallery. The rooftop garden featuring budding pear trees is perfect for warm weather celebrations, and if the weather shifts, there are multiple levels to the gallery, so you have options to choose from when planning your ceremony. 

This venue is not wheelchair accessible and your pup will need to wait at home, but the space can accommodate up to 15 guests (not including the couple and vendors) and  streaming is allowed for any guests wanting to tune into your ceremony virtually. The venue can provide some chairs and decor for your celebration. Parking is available on site. A permit is required and will need to be booked by you and your partner.

Old Stone House Garden Area

Old Stone House is the oldest, standing, unchanged building in the country’s capital—the perfect spot with historic charm and beautiful gardens to begin the next chapter of your love story with up to 50 guests (not including the couple and vendors) to help you celebrate. Your pup can join the party as long as they remain on a leash.

This venue is not wheelchair accessible, and does not permit candles or sparklers, but you can include your favorite song played acoustic or on a small bluetooth speaker. You’ll have to plan to pop the champagne elsewhere after your ceremony as well. There is metered street parking and paid parking lots available nearby. This venue must be booked at least 45-60 days in advance, and requires a permit, but our team’s got you covered. 

Montrose Park

Montrose Park is a gorgeous 16 acre park in the heights overlooking Georgetown and northwest DC, perfect for larger wedding parties. Make sure to check out the infamous “Ropewalk” lined with beautiful canopy trees, and exchange vows beneath a giant oak tree or in view of the capital. Your pup can join the party too, as long as they remain on a leash.

This venue can accommodate up to 50 guests (not including the couple and vendors), but does not allow chairs and decor. This venue needs to be booked at least 45-60 days in advance of your preferred ceremony date. Montrose Park is not wheelchair accessible, and does not permit candles or sparklers, but you can include your favorite song played acoustic or on a small bluetooth speaker. Street parking is available. This venue must be booked at least 45-60 days in advance, and requires a permit, but our team’s got you covered. 

Get Your Marriage Certificate

The process of getting a marriage certificate starts at your marriage license appointment, where you will pay for the amount of certificates you’d like to have. After paying for your marriage license, an additional $10.00 is required for a certified copy of your marriage certificate. It is recommended to get two. This is because as you’re changing your name, you’ll be using this document a lot. While in transition, it’s always good to have a backup in the event of an emergency. 

You can go to the DC Marriage Bureau in person or order a certified copy of your marriage certificate online.

How to Change your Last Name in Washington, DC

To apply for a legal name change in DC, you must:

• Be a current resident of the District of Columbia 
• Be at least 18 years old
• Pay the court filing fee of $60.00
• Complete and submit the Application of Change of Name (If you’re 21+) and provide supporting documentation
  • If you’re between the ages of 18 and 21, you can apply for a name change at the Family Court Central Intake Center

The process of changing your name includes:

1. First, you need to fill out the Application of Change of Name, and that must be filed at the Civil Actions Branch of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. There is a $60.00 fee for filing this application.
2. That application must be accompanied by proof of residence in the District of Columbia, valid photo ID, and any other supporting documentation like your marriage license. You’ll also need to provide the reason for the name change.
3. You’ll receive an Order and Notice of Final Hearing date and time, where you’ll need to appear in court to finalize your name change. 
4. You must serve a copy of the Application and the Order and Notice of Final Hearing to all creditors and interested parties like your landlord, utility company, lenders, credit card companies, etc. 
5. Before the final hearing, you must file an Affidavit or Declaration of Service for each interested party showing proof of delivery of the Application and the Order and Notice of Final Hearing. You must include any return receipts or U.S. Postal Service tracking numbers and information you can provide.
6. Once you have your final hearing, and the Application for Change of Name is granted, you’ll receive five certified copies of the Order for Name Change.
7. To change your name on your legal documents after that, head to the Social Security Administration’s website, and fill out the questionnaire. Once completed, the website will tell you whether you can make the request to change your name online, or if you need to go to a local office to make the request in person.
8. After you’ve changed your name with the Social Security Administration, you can head to the DMV to update your driver’s license. Don’t forget to bring your current license, your certified marriage certificate, and an Official US Court Name Change document in order to change your name on your driver’s license.
9. To update your name on your passport, head to the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website. 
   1. If it’s been less than one year since your passport was issued and your name was legally changed, you will need to submit form DS-5504, your most recent US passport, An original or certified document showing you changed your name less than one year after your most recent passport was issued like your marriage certificate, and a passport photo by mail. The instructions for mailing these items is on form DS-5504.
   2. If it’s been more than a year since your passport was issued or since you changed your name, you may be eligible to renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82 or apply in person using Form DS-11.
      1. You can renew by mail if your most recent passport is submitted with your application, is undamaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, and was issued in your current name (or you can show the name change). If you meet all of these requirements, you can submit form DS-82, your most recent US passport, your original or certified name change document like your marriage certificate, one color passport photo, a fee (which will depend on your age) by mail to the address listed on form DS-82.
      2. To apply in person, find a location near you on the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs that issues passports. You’ll need to bring form DS-11, evidence of US citizenship, your original or certified name change document like your marriage certificate, Valid ID and photocopy of that ID, one color passport photo, and a fee (which will depend on your age).

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ve done the tallest task of completing your legal name change. You’ll then want to go through your accounts, credit cards, bank accounts, employers and insurance to make sure your name is up to date. It seems like a lot because it is! Take this process step by step, and it should all go smoothly. There’s also many businesses that help with the name changing process.

Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers.

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Elopement Specialist in January 2026.

Written by Hannah McSorley

Hannah McSorley is the Social Media Specialist at Simply Eloped, where she curates real love stories, breathtaking venues, and tips to inspire couples planning their big day. She loves how elopements make space for genuine connection and a celebration that truly feels like you.