Gaithersburg Marriage License Records

Gaithersburg residents who need a marriage license must apply at the Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville. Gaithersburg is an incorporated city within Montgomery County, but the county's Circuit Court handles all marriage license services for the area. This page explains where to apply, what to bring, how much the fee is, and how to search Gaithersburg area marriage license records through the Maryland court system and state archives.

Montgomery County Handles Gaithersburg Marriage Licenses

Gaithersburg is an incorporated city, but marriage licenses are not issued at city hall. Under Maryland law, marriage licenses come from the Clerk of Circuit Court in the county where the ceremony will take place. For Gaithersburg weddings, that means Montgomery County. The courthouse is at 50 Maryland Avenue, North Tower Room 1300, in Rockville. From Gaithersburg, the drive to the courthouse is about 7 to 10 miles down Maryland Route 355 or I-270.

Gaithersburg has grown significantly over the decades. The city encompasses diverse communities including Kentlands, Lakelands, Crown Farm, Rio, and the older neighborhoods near the historic train station. All of these areas fall under Montgomery County for marriage license purposes. There is only one location in the county that issues marriage licenses, and that is the Rockville courthouse.

Note: You must apply for and use a Montgomery County marriage license if your ceremony will be in Gaithersburg or anywhere else in Montgomery County.

Gaithersburg Area Marriage License Office

The Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk's Office handles marriage license applications for all Gaithersburg residents. This includes couples who plan to marry anywhere within Montgomery County's borders. The office is in downtown Rockville, about a 15-minute drive from most parts of Gaithersburg on a typical weekday.

This page lists what to bring, who needs to appear, and how civil ceremonies are scheduled at the Montgomery County courthouse.

How to Get a Marriage License in Gaithersburg

Walk into the Montgomery County courthouse in Rockville during business hours. No appointment is needed to apply for a marriage license. Only one of the two parties needs to appear in person. That person fills out the application under oath on behalf of both parties. The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You walk out with the license the same day, though it is not valid until 48 hours after issuance.

One thing that sets Montgomery County apart from most other Maryland counties is that the application form is NOT available online. You cannot download and pre-fill the form at home. It must be completed at the courthouse in Rockville. This means your first visit will include filling out the form from scratch. Bring all the required information with you so you can complete it quickly and accurately.

The $55 fee is due at the time of application. Montgomery County accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards. The license fee is non-refundable.

After a 48-hour waiting period, the license becomes valid. You then have six months to use it. The ceremony must take place within Montgomery County, since the license is issued for that county specifically.

What Gaithersburg Applicants Must Bring

Both parties need to provide valid government-issued photo identification. A driver's license, passport, or military ID works. If only one person comes to the courthouse, they must bring ID for both parties. You also need the Social Security numbers for both people. Maryland law requires these, but they will not appear on the license itself.

If either party was previously married, you must disclose the complete history. Provide the exact date, county or location, and state of every divorce or the death of a former spouse. This applies no matter how long ago the prior marriage ended. For recent divorces or deaths, some counties require a certified copy, so call ahead to confirm what Montgomery County needs at the time of your visit.

Here is what to have ready when you go to the Rockville courthouse:

• Valid photo ID for both parties
• Social Security numbers for both parties
• Date and place of birth for both parties
• Full legal names and current addresses
• Prior marriage history (dates and places of all dissolutions)
• $55 fee (cash, check, credit card, or money order)

Once your license is issued, the 48-hour clock starts. Under Maryland Family Law § 2-401 and § 2-404, no ceremony may be held during the waiting period. Plan your ceremony date to fall at least two full calendar days after you pick up the license.

Civil Ceremonies for Gaithersburg Couples

The Montgomery County Clerk's Office offers civil marriages at the Rockville courthouse. A judge or Deputy Clerk performs the ceremony. The fee is $25 in addition to the $55 license fee. Appointments are required. The ceremony room holds a maximum of 10 people total, including the couple, guests, and any photographers. Call (240) 777-9460 to schedule a time.

Maryland has no justices of the peace. Civil ceremonies outside the courthouse must be performed by a judge, a court clerk, or a religious official. If you want a non-religious civil ceremony at a venue in Gaithersburg, a judge or another authorized court official from Maryland must officiate. You can also ask a friend to become an ordained minister through a recognized organization, as long as their ordination is valid and recognized under Maryland law.

Searching Gaithersburg Marriage License Records

Current marriage license records for the Gaithersburg area are held at the Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville. To get a certified copy of a marriage license, contact the clerk's office directly. The fee is $5.50 per certified copy. Montgomery County has a dedicated certified copy request form at this link on their website. You can submit the form by mail or in person.

For historical Gaithersburg area marriage records, the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis is the best resource. The Archives holds county marriage records going back centuries. Visit the State Archives marriage records guide to find what is available for Montgomery County and when each series starts. Some indexes are available online through FamilySearch at no cost.

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us covers court cases in Montgomery County but does NOT include marriage license records. To find a specific marriage record, contact the Clerk's Office directly. The Maryland People's Law Library has a helpful overview of the entire marriage license process.

For marriages from January 1, 2007 to the present, you can also contact the Maryland Division of Vital Records at (410) 764-3038. They issue certified marriage certificates for $12 each. Their records are statewide, covering all counties including Montgomery.

Out-of-State Couples Getting a Gaithersburg Area License

Couples who live outside Maryland and cannot appear at the Rockville courthouse can apply by mail using Form CC-FM-066. Download it at mdcourts.gov. Both parties complete the form before a comparable official in their home state, such as a Clerk of Court or Recorder of Deeds. A notary public is not sufficient under Maryland law. Mail the completed form with a money order to the Montgomery County Clerk. Allow at least three weeks before your ceremony date.

Nearby Maryland Cities

All cities below are also in Montgomery County and use the same Rockville courthouse for marriage license applications.