Wheaton Maryland Marriage License

Wheaton residents who need a marriage license must apply at the Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville. Wheaton is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, so the county's Circuit Court handles all marriage license services for the area. This page explains where to go in Rockville, what to bring, what the fee is, and how to find Wheaton area marriage license records through the Maryland court system.

Montgomery County Handles Wheaton Marriage Licenses

Wheaton has no incorporated city government and no local clerk's office. As an unincorporated community, all civil services including marriage licenses fall under Montgomery County jurisdiction. The Montgomery County Circuit Court is in Rockville, the county seat, at 50 Maryland Avenue. From Wheaton, the drive to Rockville is roughly 8 to 12 miles depending on your route, typically taking about 20 to 30 minutes. The Wheaton Metro station on the Red Line connects directly to the Rockville station, which is within walking distance of the courthouse. This makes the Metro a practical option for Wheaton residents who prefer not to drive.

Wheaton is a diverse community sitting in the southeastern part of Montgomery County, bounded by Silver Spring to the east and Aspen Hill to the north. Despite being a large, well-populated area, it has no local government that issues civil records. Everything goes through the county seat in Rockville. There is only one place in Montgomery County to apply for a marriage license, and that is the courthouse at 50 Maryland Avenue.

Note: Your Wheaton area ceremony must take place within Montgomery County. The license issued by Montgomery County is only valid for ceremonies held within the county's borders.

Where Wheaton Residents Apply for a Marriage License

The Montgomery County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the only place to get a marriage license for a wedding in Wheaton or anywhere else in Montgomery County. The office is in the North Tower of the courthouse at 50 Maryland Avenue, Room 1300, in downtown Rockville.

The official Montgomery County marriage license page at montgomerycountymd.gov/cct/marriage-license.html is where Wheaton residents can find current requirements, fees, and contact information for the Rockville courthouse before making the trip.

This page is the most reliable source for confirming current office hours and fee amounts before traveling from Wheaton to Rockville.

How to Apply for a Marriage License Near Wheaton

One applicant must appear in person at the courthouse in Rockville. No appointment is needed to apply for a marriage license. Only one of the two people getting married needs to come to the courthouse. That person fills out the application on behalf of both parties while speaking with a clerk. The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The application form is not available online and cannot be downloaded in advance. Montgomery County requires that it be completed on-site, so bring all the needed information with you.

The $55 fee is paid at the time of your visit. The clerk's office accepts cash, check, money order, and credit cards. The fee is not refundable. After you leave with your license, a 48-hour waiting period begins before the license becomes valid. Maryland Family Law § 2-401 governs the waiting period and other marriage license requirements. The license is valid for six months from the date of issuance. Plan your ceremony date at least two full days after you pick up the license.

The clerk's office is closed on weekends and Maryland state holidays. If you need to schedule a civil ceremony, call (240) 777-9460 for an appointment. Civil ceremony appointments are separate from the license application process and require advance scheduling.

What Wheaton Applicants Need to Bring

Both applicants must have valid government-issued photo identification. A driver's license, passport, or military ID all work. If only one person comes to the courthouse, they must bring ID for both parties. Social Security numbers for both applicants are required as well. Maryland uses them for administrative records and they do not appear on the issued license.

If either applicant was previously married, you must provide the complete prior marriage history. This includes the exact date and location of each divorce or the death of a prior spouse. It does not matter how long ago the prior marriage ended. For recent divorces, some offices ask for a certified copy of the divorce decree. Call the clerk ahead of time to confirm what Montgomery County needs before you travel from Wheaton.

Maryland has no residency requirement. Wheaton residents and people who live outside Maryland can both apply at the Rockville courthouse under the same rules. There is no blood test. Witnesses are not required for the license application. Here is what to bring:

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

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old to marry in Maryland without a court order. Seventeen-year-olds may only marry under a court order issued by a Maryland judge. No one under 17 may marry in Maryland under any circumstances.

Civil Ceremonies for Wheaton Couples

The Montgomery County Clerk's Office performs civil marriage ceremonies at the Rockville courthouse by appointment. A judge or Deputy Clerk officiates. The ceremony fee is $25, paid in addition to the $55 license fee. The ceremony space holds a maximum of 10 people total, including the couple and all guests. Call (240) 777-9460 to schedule.

For couples who want a non-religious civil ceremony at a venue in Wheaton rather than at the courthouse, Maryland has no justices of the peace. Ceremonies must be performed by a judge, a court clerk, or a religious official whose ordination is recognized under Maryland law. Maryland has recognized same-sex marriages since January 1, 2013. The Maryland People's Law Library provides guidance on who is authorized to perform marriages in the state.

Searching Wheaton Area Marriage License Records

Marriage license records for the Wheaton area are held at the Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville. To get a certified copy of a license, contact the clerk's office at (240) 777-9460 or visit in person during office hours. The fee is $5.50 per certified copy. Montgomery County has a request form for certified copies available on their website at this link. You can submit it in person or by mail.

For marriages from 2007 to the present, the Maryland Division of Vital Records issues statewide marriage certificates for $12 each. Their number is (410) 764-3038. Older records for Wheaton and all of Montgomery County are held at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. Some early records are digitized and searchable online through FamilySearch.

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search covers court cases in Montgomery County but does not include marriage license records. Contact the clerk's office or the Division of Vital Records directly to look up a specific marriage record.

Out-of-State Couples Applying for a Wheaton Area License

Couples who live outside Maryland and cannot appear in person at the Rockville courthouse may apply by mail using Form CC-FM-066. Download it at mdcourts.gov. Both parties must sign 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 acceptable under Maryland law. Mail the signed form with a money order to the Montgomery County Clerk's Office and allow at least three weeks before your ceremony date.

Nearby Maryland Cities

These cities are near Wheaton in Montgomery County and use the same Rockville courthouse for marriage license services.