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 need to know about getting married in Washington, DC, during a government shutdown.

Why can’t marriage licenses be issued during a government shutdown in DC?

According to the District of Columbia Courts’ Shutdown Plan, updated 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 the federal government funds its courts and local government. Other cities in the US are funded by 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, 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 federally funded site, such as a national park or federal museum, the venue will likely be closed during a government shutdown. This applies to all federal facilities across the US, not just 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.

However, couples will still be able to get divorced during the government shutdown, according to 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 jgomez@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Government shutdown halts marriage licenses in DC. Here's what we know.

Reporting by Julia Gomez, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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