Maryland Marriage License Records
A Maryland marriage license is a legal document that lets two people wed in the state. Every couple must get one from the Clerk of Circuit Court in the county where the ceremony will take place. Maryland has no residency requirement, so anyone can marry here regardless of where they live. Licenses come from 24 courts across the state, one for each county plus Baltimore City. You can search historical Maryland marriage license records at the Maryland State Archives, or get recent certified copies directly from the Clerk's Office where your license was filed.
Maryland Marriage License Overview
How to Get a Maryland Marriage License
You must apply at the Clerk of Circuit Court in the county where the marriage will take place. This is a key rule in Maryland. You cannot get a license in one county and hold the ceremony in another. If you plan to marry in Frederick County, you need a Frederick County marriage license. The same goes for every other county and for Baltimore City.
Only one party needs to appear in person at most Maryland county offices. That person fills out the application on behalf of both parties, swearing under oath that the information is correct. You must bring valid government-issued photo ID for both parties. A driver's license, passport, military ID, or birth certificate all work. You also need the Social Security numbers for both people. By law, Social Security numbers are required but will not appear on the actual license.
The Maryland People's Law Library has a full guide to marriage license officiation and requirements for all counties.
The People's Law Library explains who can perform marriage ceremonies in Maryland and what steps to take before and after the ceremony.
If either party was previously married, you must disclose the exact date, county, and state of every divorce or the death of a former spouse. If a divorce was finalized less than six months before you apply in some counties, you may need to bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. Check with your specific county before you go. Maryland marriage records at the state archives go back centuries, so clerks take accuracy seriously when recording prior marital history.
Maryland Marriage License Requirements
Maryland keeps its requirements simple compared to many states. There is no blood test. Witnesses are not required at the ceremony. No residency is needed before you can apply. Couples from out of state, or even from other countries, can come to Maryland and get a license here. The state has been welcoming non-resident couples for a long time, and there is a formal process for those who cannot appear in person at a Maryland court.
The Maryland Courts website explains marriage license requirements and provides links to each county clerk's office.
This page from the Maryland Courts covers what you need to bring, the application process, and how to find your county clerk.
Here is what every applicant must provide in Maryland:
- Full legal name for both parties
- Current address for both parties
- Date and place of birth for both parties
- Social Security number for both parties (required by state law)
- Marital status and prior marriage history for both parties
- Valid government-issued photo ID for both parties
Fees differ by county. Somerset County has the lowest fee at $25. Frederick County charges the most at $75. Most counties fall in the $35 to $55 range. The fee for a certified copy of a marriage license is the same across the entire state: $5.50 per copy. Civil ceremonies performed by the Clerk usually cost an extra $25 at most courts.
Maryland Marriage License Laws
Maryland law sets clear rules for marriage licenses. Under Maryland Code, Family Law § 2-401, you may not marry in Maryland without a license issued by the Clerk in the county where the ceremony is held. Marrying without a license is a misdemeanor subject to a $100 fine.
Maryland Code Family Law § 2-401 on the Westlaw database shows the exact statute governing marriage license requirements in the state.
The statute makes clear that a valid Maryland marriage license is required before any wedding ceremony can legally take place in the state.
Family Law § 2-404 sets the waiting period. A license is not effective until 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after the Clerk issues it. In plain terms, this is a 48-hour wait. No ceremony can take place during that time. A judge can waive the waiting period in rare cases, but this is not common. Plan your ceremony at least two full days after you pick up your license.
The license is valid for six months from the date of issue. If you do not use it within six months, it expires. You would need to apply again and pay another fee. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed marriage certificate to the Clerk's Office within five days. The Clerk then processes it and makes certified copies available for $5.50 each.
Note: Under Family Law § 2-301, no one under age 17 may marry in Maryland, and 17-year-olds require a court order and parental consent.
Maryland Marriage License Record Search
There are several places to find Maryland marriage license records. Where you look depends on the time period. For recent marriages, the county Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the place to start. For historical records, the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis holds an enormous collection going back to the 1600s.
The Maryland State Archives maintains a detailed guide to historical marriage records for all counties, with coverage going back to 1640 in some cases.
The Archives guide lists what records are available for each county and explains how to access them in person or online.
The Division of Vital Records at the Maryland Department of Health keeps marriage records from January 1, 2007 to the present. You can reach them at 6764 B Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, or call (410) 764-3038. They charge $12 for a certified copy. This is separate from what the circuit court clerk charges. Use the Vital Records option if you need a recent certificate quickly and the county clerk is far from you.
FamilySearch at familysearch.org offers free access to Maryland County Marriages from 1658 to 1940, along with other indexes. This is useful for genealogy searches. The Reclaim the Records project has also pushed for greater access to Maryland vital records.
Reclaim the Records has worked to make Maryland vital records more accessible to the public and researchers.
This advocacy organization tracks the status of public records requests for Maryland marriage data and other vital records.
Maryland State Archives Marriage Indexes
The Maryland State Archives has marriage record indexes for most counties going back hundreds of years. Some counties have records from the 1600s. Coverage and format vary by county and era. The Archives is located at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401, and is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., plus the first Saturday of each month.
The Maryland State Archives marriage indexes page lists all available county marriage record collections and how to search them.
The index lists every available marriage record series, including which years are covered and whether records are available online or only in person at the Archives.
Certified copies from the Maryland State Archives cost $25. Uncertified copies cost $5. You can contact them at (410) 260-6400 or email msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov. Staff can assist with research requests, and some records can be requested by mail. For recent marriage records not yet at the Archives, always go to the county Circuit Court Clerk first.
Note: The Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us covers court cases but does NOT include marriage license records. Contact the county clerk directly for marriage records.
Who Can Perform a Marriage in Maryland
Maryland law under Family Law § 2-406 sets who is allowed to perform a marriage ceremony. There are four types of officiants. First, any religious official who is authorized by their religious group to perform marriages. No state registration is needed for clergy in Maryland. Second, the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Third, a Deputy Clerk who has been designated by the county administrative judge. Fourth, any judge.
Maryland does not have justices of the peace. This surprises some people who move from other states. If you want a civil ceremony and do not want a religious officiant, you can schedule one at the Clerk's Office. Most county clerks offer civil ceremonies during business hours for a $25 fee. An appointment is required. The Clerk or a designated deputy will perform the ceremony right at the courthouse. This is a quick, simple option for couples who want a civil wedding in Maryland.
Non-Resident Maryland Marriage License Applications
Couples who live outside Maryland and cannot appear in person at a county court have a way to apply by mail. Form CC-FM-066 is the Non-Resident Marriage License Application-Affidavit. You can find it at mdcourts.gov. Both parties must complete it and have it sworn before a comparable official in their home jurisdiction. A notary public is not sufficient for this step in Maryland.
Comparable officials include a Clerk of Court, Recorder of Deeds, or Prothonotary in your home state. Once sworn and signed, mail the form with a money order to the Clerk's Office in the Maryland county where you plan to hold your ceremony. Allow at least three weeks before your wedding date for processing. The license will be mailed back to you. This process is used by many couples who plan destination weddings in Maryland but live elsewhere.
Maryland Marriage License by County
Each of Maryland's 23 counties plus Baltimore City has its own Circuit Court Clerk. Marriage licenses are issued by and kept at that county's Clerk Office. Select a county to find local office information, fees, and how to get a certified copy of a marriage license from that location.
Marriage License Records in Maryland Cities
Maryland cities do not have their own separate marriage courts. Residents file for a marriage license at the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the ceremony will be held. Select a city below to find which courthouse serves that area and how to get a marriage license there.