D.C. Code § 46-410
*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on August 13, 2026. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation affecting this section, click this link: Permanent Version.*
It shall be the duty of the Mayor or the Clerk of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia before issuing any license to solemnize a marriage to examine any applicant for said license under oath and to ascertain the names and ages of the parties desiring to marry, whether they were previously married, whether they are related or not, and if so, in what degree, which facts shall appear on the face of the application, of which the Mayor or the Clerk shall provide a printed form, and any false swearing in regard to such matters shall be deemed perjury.
Mar. 3, 1901, 31 Stat. 1392, ch. 854, § 1291
June 25, 1936, 49 Stat. 1921, ch. 804
June 25, 1948, 62 Stat. 991, ch. 646, § 32(b)
May 24, 1949, 63 Stat. 107, ch. 139, § 127
July 5, 1966, 80 Stat. 264, Pub. L. 89-493, § 13(a)
July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 570, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 155(a)
Apr. 7, 1977, D.C. Law 1-107, title I, § 113(a), 23 DCR 8737
Mar. 21, 2025, D.C. Law 25-311, § 3(b)
Dec. 31, 2025, D.C. Law 26-76, § 2(b)
1973 Ed., § 30-110.
1981 Ed., § 30-110.
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Let Our Vows Endure Emergency Amendment Act of 2019 (D.C. Act 23-1, Jan. 11, 2019, 66 DCR 600).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Let Our Vows Endure (LOVE) Emergency Amendment Act of 2023 (D.C. Act 25-296, Nov. 15, 2023, 70 DCR 15226).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Let Our Vows Endure Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-156, Oct. 9, 2025, 72 DCR 10908).
For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b)(2) of Let Our Vows Endure (LOVE) Temporary Amendment Act of 2023 (D.C. Law 25-117, Feb. 6, 2024, 70 DCR 15726).
For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2(b) of Let Our Vows Endure Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Law 26-76, Dec. 31, 2025, 72 DCR 12877).