Government shutdown halts marriage licenses in DC. Here's what we know. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY October 2, 2025 at 5:04 AM 0 Sorry, lovebirds, wedding bells might be ringing, but maybe not in Washington, DC, during the government shutdown.
- - Government shutdown halts marriage licenses in DC. Here's what we know.
Julia Gomez, USA TODAY October 2, 2025 at 5:04 AM
0
Sorry, lovebirds, wedding bells might be ringing, but maybe not in Washington, DC, during the government shutdown.
The government shutdown affects many facets of day-to-day life, but one unexpected place is in the marriage department.
During the shutdown, the Marriage Bureau, a part of the DC Superior Court, will cease issuing marriage licenses and performing ceremonies, according to a message on the District of Columbia Courts website. However, the Marriage Bureau will still be able to issue certified copies of vital records, like marriage certificates.
The District of Columbia Courts consist of the DC Superior Court and the DC Court of Appeals.
The District of Columbia Courts will continue "case resolution in all of its divisions and the Family Court of the Superior Court and appeals in the Court of Appeals," the message said. "Juvenile probation services provided by the Social Services Division will continue."
Here's what you about getting married in Washington, DC, during a government shutdown.
How does a government shutdown end? Here's what would need to happen
With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
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People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
">People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
" src=https://ift.tt/JYXOeRh class=caas-img>
Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
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Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
">Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
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1 / 15See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open
People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
Why can't marriage licenses be issued during a government shutdown in DC?
According to the District of Columbia Courts' Shutdown Plan, which was on Sept. 25, the courts would be limited to functions deemed necessary to "continue the resolution of cases without interruption."
Unfortunately for soon-to-be newlyweds, the courts do not consider nuptials an essential service.
"The issuing of marriage licenses and performing marriage ceremonies will cease during the lapse," the shutdown plan states.
Why are marriage licenses only impacted in DC?
DC is unique because its courts and local government are funded by the federal government. Other cities in the U.S. are funded through state and local taxes, which is why marriage licenses can continue to be issued amid the federal government shutdown.
What are the alternatives?
If you and your soon-to-be spouse are scheduled to wed during the shutdown, there are alternatives.
If you were planning on getting married by a judge or in a courthouse, those weddings will have to be postponed, according to a post on American Marriage Ministries' (AMM) website. But ministers, like the ones from AMM, will still be able to officiate ceremonies.
A friend or family member of the happy couple could also become ordained online and officiate their wedding.
While the wedding can still be officiated, the couple's marriage license will not be processed during the government shutdown.
The LOVE Act: Temporary act passed during the 2019 shutdown
During a previous shutdown in 2019, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the "Let Our Vows Endure Emergency Act of 2019," also known as the LOVE Act, according to the Executive Office of the Mayor.
The act allowed the mayor to issue marriage licenses and authorize officiants during the partial shutdown.
That was a temporary measure, however and a new act would have to be authorized for the same thing to happen now, according to WAMU, a local news radio station.
What about wedding venues?
If a couple has chosen a venue at a site that is federally funded, like a park or museum, the venue will likely not be operational during a government shutdown. This applies to federally managed sites around the nation, not only in DC.
Can couples in DC still get divorced during the government shutdown?
On the other side of the spectrum is divorce, something many soon-to-be-wed couples likely aren't thinking about.
But yes, couples will still be able to get divorced during the government shutdown, reported WAMU.
Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amid the government shutdown, DC stops issuing marriage licenses
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