# D.C. Code § 16-904: Grounds for divorce, legal separation, and annulment

> District of Columbia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-904

## Section

- **Citation:** D.C. Code § 16-904
- **Heading:** Grounds for divorce, legal separation, and annulment
- **Jurisdiction:** District of Columbia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DC Code / Title 16 / Chapter 9 / § 16-904

## Text

(a) A divorce from the bonds of marriage may be granted upon the assertion by one or both parties that they no longer wish to remain married.
(b) A legal separation from bed and board may be granted upon at least one party's assertion that they intend to pursue a separate life without obtaining a divorce.
(c) [Repealed].
(d) Marriage contracts may be annulled in the following cases:
(1) where such marriage was contracted while either of the parties thereto had a former spouse living, unless the former marriage had been lawfully dissolved;
(2) where such marriage was contracted during the insanity of either party (unless there has been voluntary cohabitation after the discovery of the insanity);
(3) where such marriage was procured by fraud or coercion;
(4) where either party was matrimonially incapacitated at the time of marriage without the knowledge of the other and has continued to be so incapacitated; or
(5) where either of the parties had not attained the age of 18, but in such cases only at the suit of the party who had not attained such age.
(e) Domestic partnerships registered under § 32-702(a) or relationships recognized under § 32-702(i) may be terminated by judicial decree or judgment.

## Nearby sections

- [D.C. Code § 16-901 § 16-901. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-901.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-902 § 16-902. Residency requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-902.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-903 § 16-903. Decree annulling marriage.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-903.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-904 § 16-904. Grounds for divorce, legal separation, and annulment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-904.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-905 § 16-905. Revocation and enlargement of decree of legal separation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-905.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-906 § 16-906. Causes for absolute divorce arising after decree for separation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-906.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-907 § 16-907. Parent and child relationship defined.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-907.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-908 § 16-908. Relationship not dependent on marriage or domestic partnership.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-908.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-909 § 16-909. Proof of child’s relationship to parents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-909.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-909.01 § 16-909.01. Establishment of paternity by voluntary acknowledgment and based on genetic test results.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-909.01.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-909.02 § 16-909.02. Full faith and credit to parentage determinations by other states.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-909.02.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-909.03 § 16-909.03. Voluntary paternity acknowledgment program for birthing hospitals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-909.03.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-909.04 § 16-909.04. Voluntary paternity acknowledgment program for birth records agency.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-909.04.md)
- [D.C. Code § 16-909.05 § 16-909.05. Mayor authorized to designate other sites for paternity acknowledgment program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-909.05.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T16_C9_S16-904. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.