Form MB-2037, Procedures of the Registration of Clergy Without Endorser, is a sheet from the Superior Court of the District of Columbia that lists the documentation a minister submits to support an authorization to perform marriage ceremonies in Washington, DC without a court endorser. It is meant for clergy who register on their own affiliation with a religious society. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the D.C. Courts at dccourts.gov.
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What is MB-2037?
Form MB-2037, Procedures of the Registration of Clergy Without Endorser, is the D.C. Superior Court sheet listing the documents that support a minister's affiliation with a religious society, to back an authorization to perform marriage ceremonies in the District of Columbia without an endorser.
The sheet carries the heading of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Family Court, and the Marriage Bureau is the office it names for questions. It says that many judges of the court have found the listed documentation sufficient evidence of affiliation with a religious society. The D.C. Courts page for the form describes its use as registering as a minister who can perform marriages in Washington, DC without a court endorser.
The sheet sets out four requirements, all of which must be submitted in every case:
- a certificate from the headquarters or chief official of the religious body;
- a copy of the society's charter, by-laws or founding document, if any, with the applicant's record of ordination;
- an affidavit of the applicant about the ministry;
- a notarized affidavit of a reputable citizen of the District of Columbia.
All documentation must be certified or notarized before it is submitted with the application. The sheet is a list of required evidence: it is not a form with lines to complete.
Who needs to file MB-2037?
Ministers who want to perform marriage ceremonies in the District of Columbia and who register without a court endorser use these procedures. The D.C. Courts page describes the form as the one to use to register as a minister who can perform marriages in Washington, DC without an endorser.
The four requirements apply to each applicant:
- You need a certificate from your religious body's headquarters or chief official showing that you are currently recognized as a fellow minister authorized to perform marriages.
- You need a copy of the charter, by-laws or founding document, if the society has one, together with a copy of your record of ordination.
- You must prepare your own affidavit about your ministry.
- You must obtain a notarized affidavit from a reputable citizen of the District of Columbia who knows you as a religious minister and as a person of good moral character.
The sheet states that all four requirements must be submitted in every case. It does not describe anyone who may act for the applicant, and the affidavit it asks for is the applicant's own. If you have questions about your situation, the sheet directs you to the Marriage Bureau at (202) 879-4850.
When to file MB-2037
The triggering event is your application for authorization to perform marriage ceremonies in the District of Columbia without an endorser: the documentation listed on Form MB-2037 goes in with that application. The sheet prints no separate due date, filing window or renewal period. It does require that every document be certified or notarized before you submit it, so allow time to obtain the certificate from your religious body's headquarters or chief official and the notarized affidavit of a D.C. citizen before you file. If any listed document cannot be produced, the sheet says a written explanation of the omission would help the Court's determination.
Documents you need
- A certificate from the headquarters or chief official of the religious body showing you are currently recognized as a fellow minister authorized to perform marriages; required in every case.
- A copy of the Charter, By-laws or Founding Document of the religious society, if the society has one; required in every case.
- A copy of your record of ordination in the religious society, submitted with the charter, by-laws or founding document.
- Your own affidavit stating how long you have been in the ministry, when and where you conduct religious meetings and the size of your congregation.
- In the same affidavit: the portion of your time spent in religious stewardship, the material or monetary compensation you receive for your ministry and any other business you are engaged in.
- A notarized affidavit of a reputable citizen of the District of Columbia declaring that you are known to them as a religious minister and are a person of good moral character.
- A written explanation of the omission, only if any of the documents above cannot be produced.
How to fill out MB-2037
Confirm you register without an endorser
Form MB-2037 applies to ministers who register to perform marriages in Washington, DC without a court endorser. Read the four numbered requirements before you start.
Obtain the certificate from your religious body
Requirement 1: ask the headquarters or chief official of your religious body for a certificate showing you are currently recognized as a fellow minister authorized to perform marriages.
Gather the charter and ordination record
Requirement 2: collect a copy of the Charter, By-laws or Founding Document of the religious society, if it has one, and a copy of your record of ordination.
Prepare your own affidavit
Requirement 3: state how long you have been in the ministry, when and where you conduct religious meetings and the size of your congregation. Add the portion of your time spent in religious stewardship, your compensation and any other business you are engaged in.
Arrange the citizen's notarized affidavit
Requirement 4: have a reputable citizen of the District of Columbia sign a notarized affidavit that you are known to them as a religious minister and are a person of good moral character.
Certify or notarize every document
The sheet requires all documentation to be either certified or notarized before you submit it with the application.
Explain any missing document
If any listed document cannot be produced, write an explanation of the omission and include it with the package.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that all four requirements are present and that each document is certified or notarized. Download or print the PDF from FillingPDF and assemble the package for the Marriage Bureau as described under How to submit.
How to submit MB-2037
The sheet names no delivery channel of its own: the documentation is submitted with the application, and questions go to the Marriage Bureau at (202) 879-4850. Details printed on the sheet:
- Where the sheet comes from: its letterhead reads Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Family Court, 500 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Room 4485, Washington, DC 20001. It does not state that this is the address for delivering the documents, so confirm the delivery method with the Marriage Bureau.
- What the package contains: all four required items, in every case, each certified or notarized before submission.
- If something is missing: add a written explanation of the omission.
The sheet gives no fee, portal or appointment rule. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting only some of the four listed requirements; the sheet says all of them must be submitted in every case.
- Sending documents that are neither certified nor notarized; the sheet requires all documentation to be certified or notarized before it is submitted with the application.
- Using a certificate that does not show you are currently recognized as a fellow minister authorized by the religious society to perform marriages.
- Leaving the ordination record out when you attach the charter, by-laws or founding document; the sheet asks for the two together.
- Writing an affidavit that skips topics the sheet lists, such as time in ministry, congregation size, compensation or other business.
- Obtaining the character affidavit from someone who is not a citizen of the District of Columbia, or without a notary.
- Omitting a document without a written explanation; the sheet says an explanation of the omission would help the Court's determination.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form MB-2037 used for?
Form MB-2037 lists the documentation a minister submits to register to perform marriage ceremonies in the District of Columbia without a court endorser. The D.C. Superior Court sheet says many judges have found these documents sufficient evidence of affiliation with a religious society.
Which documents do I need to register as clergy without an endorser in DC?
Four, in every case: a certificate from your religious body's headquarters or chief official; the society's charter, by-laws or founding document, if any, with your ordination record; your own affidavit about your ministry; and a notarized affidavit from a reputable D.C. citizen.
Do the documents have to be notarized?
All documentation must be either certified or notarized before you submit it with the application. The citizen's affidavit in requirement 4 is specifically described as notarized.
What if I cannot produce one of the required documents?
The sheet says that if any listed documentation cannot be produced, a written explanation of the omission would be helpful to the Court's determination. It does not say that an omission is accepted, so include the explanation with what you submit.
What must my affidavit as the applicant cover?
It must say how long you have been in the ministry, when and where you conduct religious meetings and the size of your congregation. It must also give the portion of your time spent in religious stewardship, your compensation and any other business you are engaged in.
Is Form MB-2037 the application to perform marriages?
The sheet describes itself as procedures and refers to documentation submitted with the application, so it is a list of required evidence rather than the application itself. For questions about the application, call the Marriage Bureau at (202) 879-4850.
Who can be the citizen who signs the affidavit?
A reputable citizen of the District of Columbia who knows you as a religious minister and can declare you are a person of good moral character. The affidavit must be notarized.
Can I fill out Form MB-2037 online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, is not affiliated with the D.C. Superior Court and does not submit documents; you deliver them through the court's channels.
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