Barring some unforeseen development, the last legal hurdle that might have prevented the District’s same-sex marriage law from going into effect was removed last week. D.C. Council member David Catania’s gay marriage countdown clock reads “2 Days!” as of this morning, and both the city government and the D.C. Superior Court have now released helpful instructions for couples looking to waste no time in getting their applications in. Here’s how it’ll work:

• Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 3, couples may apply for a marriage license at the D.C. Superior Court Marriage Bureau located on the 4th floor of the H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse (500 Indiana Avenue NW, Room #4485). The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Courthouse is expecting a crowd on Wednesday, so expect to wait in line outside the office. Also keep in mind there will be lots of reporters and probably a not insignificant number of protesters outside and around the courthouse on Wednesday, so if you really want to go the first day, don’t neglect to bring your game face.
• If you already have a registered domestic partnership with the District, keep in mind that getting married will automatically dissolve that partnership. And if you have a civil union or domestic partnership from another state, you probably need to get that dissolved before you can get married in the District of Columbia. Check with the issuing state for specific rules.
• A new, gender-neutral application is now available from the court, which you can download here. You’ll also need to bring with you $35 for the application fee (either cash or money order made out to “Clerk, D.C. Superior Court”), proof of age (you have to be 18, or else 16 with parental consent) in the form of driver’s licenses, birth certificates or passports, and the full name of the intended officiant (either a religious celebrant, judge or court official who is registered with the Marriage Bureau to officiate marriages). If you’d like to request a civil wedding at the courthouse, you can do that at the time you submit the application, but that will take longer: at least ten business days after your license becomes valid.
• Three full days later (so Tues., Mar. 9), you can then go back to the courthouse and pick up your marriage license. You just need to bring your receipt with you — marriage licenses cannot be issued by mail.