Rockville Marriage License Records
Rockville residents have a distinct advantage over most Maryland couples: the Montgomery County Circuit Court that issues marriage licenses is right here in the city. As the county seat of Montgomery County, Rockville is home to the courthouse at 50 Maryland Avenue where all marriage license applications for the county are processed. This page covers how to apply, what to bring, what the fees are, and how to find Rockville area marriage license records through the Maryland court system and state archives.
Rockville Marriage License Overview
The Marriage License Office in Rockville
The Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is in the North Tower of the courthouse building at 50 Maryland Avenue, Room 1300. This is where all Montgomery County marriage licenses are issued, including licenses for couples planning to marry anywhere within the county. Rockville residents do not need to travel anywhere. The office is in the heart of downtown Rockville, close to the Rockville Metro station on the Red Line and within walking distance of many city neighborhoods.
The official Montgomery County marriage license page at montgomerycountymd.gov/cct/marriage-license.html lists current fees, hours, and requirements for couples applying at the Rockville courthouse.
This page is the most reliable source for confirming hours and any fee changes before you visit the clerk's office in Rockville.
The Montgomery County Circuit Court main page at montgomerycountymd.gov/cct provides access to all court services, including the clerk's office that handles marriage license applications for Rockville and the rest of the county.
The court's main page also explains civil ceremony scheduling and other services at the Rockville courthouse.
| Office | Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 50 Maryland Avenue, North Tower Room 1300 Rockville, MD 20850 |
| Phone | (240) 777-9460 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| License Fee | $55.00 |
| Website | montgomerycountymd.gov/cct/marriage-license.html |
Montgomery County Issues Rockville Marriage Licenses
Rockville is the county seat and largest city in Montgomery County. Under Maryland law, marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Circuit Court in the county where the ceremony will be held. For any wedding taking place in Rockville or elsewhere in Montgomery County, that means the Montgomery County Circuit Court. Since the courthouse is in Rockville itself, residents here have the shortest commute of anyone in the county when it comes to applying for a marriage license.
Rockville has a compact and walkable downtown. The courthouse at 50 Maryland Avenue is near city hall, the Rockville Metro station, and a number of local businesses. Couples who live in Rockville's neighborhoods can walk, take Metro, or drive a short distance to apply. Parking is available in garages near the courthouse. The clerk's office does not require appointments for license applications.
The license you receive at the Rockville courthouse is valid for use anywhere within Montgomery County. If your ceremony will be in a different county, you would need to apply for a license there instead.
How to Get a Marriage License in Rockville
Walk in to the clerk's office at Room 1300, North Tower, 50 Maryland Avenue during business hours. No appointment is needed. Only one of the two applicants must appear in person. That person completes the application on behalf of both parties under oath. The clerk helps walk you through the form, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes to fill out. One important thing to know: Montgomery County does not make its application form available online. You cannot download and pre-fill it. The entire application is completed at the courthouse, so bring all the needed information with you.
The $55 fee is paid at the time you apply. The clerk's office accepts cash, personal check, money order, and credit cards. The fee is not refundable after the license is issued.
Once the license is issued, Maryland's 48-hour waiting period begins. The license is not valid until 48 hours have passed. You then have six months to use it. Maryland Family Law § 2-401 and § 2-404 set out these requirements. Plan your ceremony date to allow at least two full calendar days after you pick up the license.
The 48-hour clock starts from the moment the license is issued, not from the following morning. If you apply at 9:00 a.m. on a Monday, the license becomes valid at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Most couples apply a few days or a week before their ceremony to stay well clear of the waiting period window.
What to Bring to the Rockville Courthouse
Both parties must provide valid government-issued photo ID. A current driver's license, a passport, or a military ID all work. If only one person appears at the courthouse, that person must bring ID for both applicants. Social Security numbers for both parties are also required, though they do not appear on the issued license itself. Maryland uses them for administrative records only.
If either applicant was previously married, you need to provide the complete history. This means the exact date and location of each divorce or the death of a prior spouse. It does not matter how far in the past a prior marriage ended; you must disclose all of them. In some cases, particularly if a divorce was recent, the clerk may ask for a certified copy of the divorce decree. Call (240) 777-9460 ahead of your visit to ask what documentation is needed for your specific situation.
Maryland does not require a blood test, witnesses at the application, or proof of residency. Rockville residents and people from outside Maryland can apply at the same courthouse under the same rules. Here is a summary of what to have ready:
- Valid photo ID for both applicants
- Social Security numbers for both applicants
- Dates and places of birth for both parties
- Current legal names and addresses
- Full history of any prior marriages (dates, locations, how each ended)
- $55 fee in cash, check, or card
Civil Ceremonies at the Rockville Courthouse
The Montgomery County Circuit Court offers civil marriage ceremonies at the courthouse. A judge or Deputy Clerk performs the ceremony. The fee is $25, paid in addition to the $55 marriage license fee. Appointments are required for civil ceremonies; call (240) 777-9460 to schedule. The ceremony space holds up to 10 people total, including the couple, guests, and any photographers. This is a smaller gathering, but it is fully official and legally binding under Maryland law.
For couples who want a civil ceremony outside the courthouse, Maryland has no justices of the peace. Non-religious ceremonies at venues in or around Rockville must be performed by a judge, a court clerk, or an ordained religious official. A friend or family member can become a legally recognized minister through certain organizations, as long as their ordination is valid under Maryland law. The Maryland People's Law Library has a helpful guide on who is authorized to perform marriages in Maryland.
Searching Rockville Area Marriage License Records
Current marriage license records for Rockville and all of Montgomery County are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Rockville. To get a certified copy of a marriage license, contact the clerk's office directly at (240) 777-9460 or visit in person. The fee is $5.50 per certified copy. Montgomery County has a mail-in request form for certified copies at this link on their website. You can submit it by mail or in person.
For marriages from January 1, 2007 to the present, the Maryland Division of Vital Records is another option. They issue statewide marriage certificates for $12 each. Call (410) 764-3038 for details on how to order. Note that a certified copy from the county court and a certificate from the Division of Vital Records are not the same document. Confirm which one you need before ordering.
Historical Rockville and Montgomery County marriage records are held at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. The Archives holds records going back many decades. Some are available online through FamilySearch at no cost. Older records may require a staff-assisted search. Contact the Archives directly to find out what years are available and how to access them.
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 or the Division of Vital Records directly.
Note: Certified copies from the county clerk and certificates from the Division of Vital Records serve different purposes and are accepted in different situations. Check with the agency or institution requesting proof of marriage to find out which document they need.
Non-Residents Applying for a Rockville Area License
Couples who live outside Maryland and cannot appear at the Rockville courthouse may apply by mail using Form CC-FM-066. Download it at mdcourts.gov. Both parties must complete the form in front of a comparable court 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's Office. Allow at least three weeks before your planned ceremony date so the license can be processed and returned.
Nearby Maryland Cities
These cities are in or near Montgomery County and use the same Rockville courthouse for marriage license applications.