Towson Marriage License
Towson marriage license applications are handled right in Towson itself. As the county seat of Baltimore County, Towson is home to the Baltimore County Circuit Court, which issues all marriage licenses for the area. This is one of the most convenient setups in Maryland: residents of Towson do not have to travel to another city to apply. This page covers the application process, courthouse details, what to bring, the $35 fee, the waiting period, civil ceremony options, and how to search Towson marriage license records.
Towson Marriage License Overview
Which County Handles Towson Marriage Licenses
Towson is the county seat of Baltimore County. It is an unincorporated community, meaning it has no city government of its own. Baltimore County functions as the governing jurisdiction for Towson. The Baltimore County Circuit Court, which is physically located in Towson, issues all marriage licenses for Baltimore County residents, including those in Towson itself.
Unlike many other communities in this guide where residents have to drive to a distant county seat, Towson is the county seat. The courthouse is right here. This makes Towson one of the most convenient places in Maryland to apply for a marriage license. For complete county-level information on procedures, related records, and resources, visit the Baltimore County marriage license page.
Towson Marriage License Office
The Baltimore County Circuit Court is in downtown Towson at 401 Bosley Avenue. The courthouse is easy to reach from most parts of Towson. Street parking and public garages are available nearby. The License Division is on the second floor. No appointment is needed for the application. Walk in during business hours and the clerk's staff will process your request.
| Court | Baltimore County Circuit Court, License Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 401 Bosley Avenue, 2nd Floor Towson, MD 21204 |
| Phone | 410-887-2607 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (applications) Ceremonies: 8:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 3:30 PM |
| Website | mdcourts.gov/clerks/baltimorecounty/marriage |
The Baltimore County clerk's page at mdcourts.gov/clerks/baltimorecounty covers the full range of clerk services in Towson. The Baltimore County government page at baltimorecountymd.gov also links to circuit court information.
How to Apply for a Towson Marriage License
One person from the couple appears at the second-floor License Division of the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson. Both applicants must provide valid government-issued photo ID and their Social Security numbers. Only one person needs to be present in person at the time of application. The Social Security numbers are required by Maryland law but will not appear on the issued marriage license.
Bring a driver's license, state ID, or passport for both applicants. If either person was previously married, bring a document showing how that marriage ended. A certified copy of a divorce decree or a death certificate works. Staff at the counter will help you complete the form. The $35 fee is collected at the time of application. Baltimore County accepts cash, major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), personal checks, and money orders. Out-of-state personal checks are not accepted.
Maryland law at § 2-401 of the Maryland Code sets the requirements. No blood test is required. No witnesses needed at application. No residency requirement. Non-residents can apply in Baltimore County. The ceremony must take place in Baltimore County, the county where the Towson marriage license was issued.
Note: The application is processed right at the courthouse in Towson, meaning you do not have to mail anything or visit a separate office in another city.
Towson Marriage License Waiting Period
Maryland requires a 48-hour waiting period after a marriage license is issued. The waiting period begins at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after issuance. If you get the license on a Monday, the ceremony cannot take place before Wednesday at 6:00 a.m. This rule applies statewide, including for Towson licenses issued at the Baltimore County Circuit Court.
The license stays valid for six months. If the ceremony does not happen within that time, the license expires and a new application and fee are required. Most couples in Towson plan their ceremony date within the six-month window without any issue. Just note the expiration date when you pick up the license so you do not lose track.
Maryland does not allow anyone under 17 to marry. A 17-year-old needs a court order to marry. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Maryland since January 1, 2013. No justice of the peace is used in Maryland. Any person authorized under state law to perform marriages may do so, including judges, ministers, and others recognized by law.
Civil Ceremony in Towson
The Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson offers civil marriage ceremonies right at the courthouse. This is particularly convenient for Towson residents since the courthouse is local. The civil ceremony fee is $25 in addition to the $35 license fee. Ceremonies require an appointment. You can book one online at picktime.com/ccbaltcoclerk or by calling 410-887-2607.
Ceremony slots at the Towson courthouse allow up to 7 guests and take about 15 minutes. The ceremony is formal and brief, performed by a clerk or authorized court official. Ceremony times are available in the morning and early afternoon on weekdays. For couples who want more guests or a different setting, ceremonies can be held anywhere in Baltimore County with a licensed officiant. The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org explains Maryland's rules for who can perform a marriage ceremony.
Searching Towson Marriage License Records
Marriage license records for Towson are filed and stored at the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson. These are public records. To search them in person, go to the License Division on the second floor at 401 Bosley Avenue. Bring both parties' names and the approximate year of the marriage. Staff can look up the record and provide certified copies for $5.50 per copy. You can also call 410-887-2607 to ask about a specific record before visiting.
The Maryland State Archives holds historical marriage records from across the state, including Baltimore County records. Their research guide at guide.msa.maryland.gov describes what is available by county and how far back the collection goes. This is useful for genealogy or when searching for older Towson marriage license records that predate online systems.
The People's Law Library is an official Maryland Courts resource that covers the full marriage license process statewide, including how records are created and stored in counties like Baltimore County where Towson is located.
The Maryland Judiciary Case Search at casesearch.courts.state.md.us allows online searches of court records by name, case number, or date. This includes civil records from Baltimore County and can help locate records connected to marriage proceedings in Towson. For certified copies, visit the clerk's office in Towson directly.
The Maryland Courts legal help page at mdcourts.gov covers the marriage license process statewide and serves as a reliable reference for understanding how Towson records fit into the larger Maryland court system.
Non-residents applying in Baltimore County can use the Non-Resident Marriage License Form from the Maryland Courts website.
Note: Certified copies of Towson marriage license records are $5.50 per copy, consistent with the statewide fee set by Maryland law.
Baltimore County Marriage License Records
Towson is the county seat of Baltimore County, and the circuit court that issues marriage licenses is located right here. For full county-level information on fees, related records, and additional resources, visit the Baltimore County marriage license page.
Nearby Maryland Cities
These communities are in or near Baltimore County and the greater Baltimore area for marriage license purposes.