For residents of Washington, DC
Dear Friend,
Weddings are joyous times that are celebrations of dedication, family, and friends. Weddings can also be a bit hectic, which is why getting someone who shares your beliefs to officiate the ceremony shouldn’t be subject to unnecessary red tape.
Unfortunately, D.C. currently limits officiants to religious figures or court officers, which often leaves secular Washingtonians out of this special day. Thankfully, City Councilmember Tommy Wells (Ward 6) just introduced a bill that would allow couples to call upon any officiant they want—without a religious affiliation.
This bill would create a one-day officiant permit that would allow the holder to solemnize a wedding without having to prove any religious affiliation. If passed, this would be a major first step toward challenging laws requiring religious affiliation for wedding officiants—allowing more people the freedom and ease of having a secular solemnized ceremony.
Weddings should be as inclusive and stress-free as possible, which is why this common sense reform is so important. Please help us support secular weddings by contacting your City Councilmember to support this bill!
Sincerely,
Roy Speckhardt
Executive Director