Marriage Licenses in Allegany County

Allegany County marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Cumberland, located on the ground floor of the courthouse on Washington Street. You can walk in any weekday to apply, and most people get their license the same day. This page covers what to bring, the fees, office hours, civil ceremony options, and how to search Allegany County marriage records going back to 1791.

How to Get an Allegany County Marriage License

You apply for an Allegany County marriage license at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Cumberland. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday. You do not need an appointment to apply. The office processes most applications in about 15 to 20 minutes. Once you pay and the clerk approves your paperwork, the license is issued the same day. After that, the 48-hour waiting period starts, effective at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day.

Only one party needs to come in person to apply. The absent party must provide a valid government-issued photo ID, which can be a copy or a digital image on a phone. Both people's Social Security numbers are required by law, but they do not appear on the printed license. If either person was married before, you must bring the exact date and the county or state where each prior marriage ended, whether by divorce or death.

The official Allegany County marriage license page at courts.state.md.us lists current requirements and any updates to the process.

The license is valid for six months from the date of issue. You must marry in Allegany County, the same county that issued the license. If you do not use it in time, the license expires and you have to start over. Maryland law requires no blood test, no witnesses, and no Maryland residency to get a license here.

Allegany County Clerk of Circuit Court

The Allegany County Clerk's office handles all marriage license applications, civil ceremony scheduling, and certified copy requests. The office is on the ground floor of the courthouse in Cumberland. Hours for applications and ceremonies differ slightly, so plan your visit with that in mind.

The Allegany County Clerk of Circuit Court homepage has current hours, contact information, and links to court services.

Note: Allegany County accepts cash only for the marriage license fee. Civil ceremonies and certified copies can be paid by cash or money order. Personal checks are not accepted.

What to Bring for an Allegany County Marriage License

Both applicants must show a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, military ID, or birth certificate all work. The ID must show your name, date of birth, and photo. If you are using a birth certificate, make sure it is a certified copy, not a photocopy. Foreign nationals should bring a passport. The clerk will note the ID type and number on the application.

You also need both parties' Social Security numbers. If one person does not have a Social Security number because they are a foreign national, the clerk can note that on the form. You must know your full legal name, current address, state of birth, date of birth, and marital status. Prior marriages require more detail. You need the county and state where the divorce was granted and the exact date it was final. If a prior spouse died, you need the date of death. Bring documentation if you have it, though the clerk may accept your sworn statement.

Non-residents of Maryland who cannot appear in person may use Form CC-FM-066. Download it from mdcourts.gov. The absent party fills out and signs the form, and the applying party brings it in. The clerk will review it as part of the application.

Allegany County Marriage License Resources

The official Allegany County marriage license page shows current fees, requirements, and what to bring to the Cumberland courthouse.

This page is the best starting point before your visit. It lists the latest fees and any changes to the application process at the Allegany County courthouse.

The Allegany County Clerk of Circuit Court homepage covers all clerk services, office hours, and contact details for the Cumberland office.

From this page you can find links to land records, court filings, and other clerk services beyond marriage licenses.

The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide describes all historical collections statewide, including those for Allegany County going back to 1791.

Researchers looking for older Allegany County marriage records will find this guide useful for understanding which collections exist and how to request them.

Civil Ceremonies in Allegany County

The Allegany County Circuit Court offers civil marriage ceremonies performed by a deputy clerk. You must have a valid license before scheduling a ceremony. Call 301-777-5922 to set up an appointment. Walk-ins for ceremonies are not available. The fee is $25.00, payable by cash or money order.

Ceremonies take place Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Photography is permitted with the officiant's consent. The courthouse on Washington Street in Cumberland is ADA accessible. If you need TTY assistance, use Maryland Relay by dialing 711. The office does not offer official translation services, so bring your own interpreter if needed.

Note: Civil ceremonies at the Allegany County courthouse are a simple legal option for couples who prefer to marry at the court rather than at a separate venue.

Searching Allegany County Marriage Records

Allegany County has one of the longer marriage record histories in Maryland. The county was formed in 1791, and records begin from that year. Marriage licenses specifically go back to 1848. The Maryland State Archives holds the oldest collections. MSA CM759 covers 1791 to 1851, and MSA CM71 covers 1851 to 1865. These can be viewed at the Archives in Annapolis or requested by mail.

The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide explains what collections exist for Allegany County and how to access them. The Archives reading room is at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD, open Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For genealogy research, FamilySearch has a dedicated Allegany County, Maryland genealogy page with links to digitized marriage records and other vital records. FamilySearch is free to use and covers many early Maryland collections. You can also check marriagelaws.org for Allegany County for a summary of local requirements and records information. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search covers court cases but does not include marriage license records directly.

For current records, the Clerk's office in Cumberland keeps all licenses issued from the present day back through the county's modern records period. Certified copies cost $5.50 each. Request in person or by mail to P.O. Box 220, Cumberland, MD 21502. Include the names of both parties, the date of the marriage, and a check or money order for the fee.

If you need an apostille for use abroad, start with a certified copy from the Clerk ($5.50). Then send it to the Maryland Secretary of State for an apostille ($5.00). If the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, you may also need U.S. Department of State authentication. The Secretary of State's office in Annapolis handles this step for Maryland records.

Maryland Marriage License Laws

Maryland Family Law Section 2-401 requires that all couples get a license before they marry. This is a statewide rule that applies in every county, including Allegany. The law also sets the 48-hour waiting period, which starts at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after the license is issued. You cannot marry before that time has passed.

Allegany County licenses are only valid for ceremonies held in Allegany County. This is required by state law, not just local policy. Maryland does not have justices of the peace. Officiants can be religious leaders, judges, clerks of court, or other persons authorized under state law. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Clerk's office within five days.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Maryland since January 1, 2013. There is no residency requirement. Couples from other states and countries are welcome to apply. As of October 2022, no one under 17 may marry in Maryland. Anyone who is 17 needs a court order to get a license. There is no age limit above 17, but both parties must be 18 or older to apply without a court order.

Note: Maryland law requires Social Security numbers on marriage license applications, but they are stored securely and do not appear on the printed license or certificate.

Allegany County Land Records and Related Resources

Allegany County land records are available through Maryland Land Records online at mdlandrec.net. While land records are separate from marriage licenses, they can be useful when researching family history in the county. Property transfers, deeds, and mortgages often appear in genealogy research alongside marriage and vital records.

The Division of Vital Records in Baltimore handles statewide marriage records from January 1, 2007 forward. Their office is at 6764 B Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, MD 21215, and can be reached at (410) 764-3038. For Allegany County marriages before that date, contact the Circuit Court Clerk directly or use the State Archives for older records.

Nearby Counties in Maryland

Maryland marriage licenses are county-specific. If you plan to marry in a nearby county, you must get a license from that county's Clerk of Circuit Court.