Find a Marriage License in Anne Arundel County

Anne Arundel County marriage licenses are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis, just behind the security checkpoint in Room H101. Walk-ins are welcome on weekdays for the application itself. This page explains what to bring, how much it costs, when the office is open, how civil ceremonies work, and where to find Anne Arundel County marriage records from 1905 to the present.

Applying for an Anne Arundel County Marriage License

You apply at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Annapolis. The office is at 8 Church Circle, Room H101, directly behind the security checkpoint. No appointment is needed for the application itself. The clerk processes most applications in about 15 minutes. You get the license the same day. Then the 48-hour waiting period starts, effective at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day. Plan your ceremony date with that window in mind.

Only one party must appear in person. The other can be absent if they provide a valid government-issued photo ID. A copy or a photo on a phone works. Both parties' Social Security numbers are required by state law, but they do not show up on the license itself. If either person was married before, bring the exact date and the county and state of each prior divorce. If a prior spouse died, you need the date of death.

The official Anne Arundel County marriage license page at circuitcourt.org has the full list of requirements and any updates to the process. Check it before your visit to make sure you have everything ready.

No blood test is needed. There is no Maryland residency requirement. Out-of-state couples are welcome. The license is valid for six months and is only good for a ceremony in Anne Arundel County.

Anne Arundel County Clerk Office Details

The Circuit Court Clerk handles all marriage license applications, copy requests, and civil ceremony scheduling in Anne Arundel County. The office accepts several payment types for in-person visits, which makes things easier for couples who come to Annapolis from elsewhere.

The Anne Arundel County Clerk of Circuit Court main website covers all office services, forms, and contact options.

Note: Mail-in requests for certified copies must include the names of both parties, date of marriage, and a money order or certified check. Send to: Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Attn: License Department, 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401.

What Anne Arundel County Applicants Need to Bring

Each applicant needs a valid government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses, passports, military IDs, and certified birth certificates are all accepted. If one party is not present, that person's ID must still be shown, either as a copy or a digital image. Foreign nationals should bring a passport. The ID needs to show your name, date of birth, and a photo.

You need both Social Security numbers. Neither number will appear on the license. If you are a foreign national without a U.S. Social Security number, let the clerk know. Full legal names, current addresses, states of birth, dates of birth, and marital status are all required fields on the application. Prior marriages add more steps. You need the exact date of each divorce and the county and state where it was granted. Bring the divorce decree if you have it handy, though a sworn statement is sometimes enough.

Non-residents or parties who cannot appear in person can use Form CC-FM-066. Download it at mdcourts.gov. The absent party completes and signs the form, and the present applicant brings it to the office.

Anne Arundel County Marriage License Pages

The Anne Arundel County marriage license page at circuitcourt.org is the official source for current requirements, fees, and application details.

This page is updated when fees or procedures change. Checking it before your visit saves time at the Annapolis office.

The online appointment scheduling system for civil ceremonies lets couples book a ceremony time at the Anne Arundel County courthouse without calling ahead.

Appointments are required for ceremonies. Book through this system or call 410-222-1434 to set up a time that works for your group.

The Anne Arundel County Clerk of Circuit Court main website has links to all clerk services, including forms, fee schedules, and office news.

Beyond marriage licenses, this site covers land records, civil filings, and other clerk services you may need in Anne Arundel County.

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal covers court cases for all Maryland counties including Anne Arundel County. Note that marriage license records are not in this system; it is used for civil and criminal court dockets.

Use Case Search when you need court case information. For marriage license records, contact the Clerk's office directly or visit the State Archives.

Civil Ceremonies in Anne Arundel County

The Circuit Court Clerk performs civil marriage ceremonies at the Annapolis courthouse. You must already have your license before you can schedule a ceremony. Call 410-222-1434 or book online through the Picktime scheduling system. Ceremonies are by appointment only. Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early.

The ceremony room holds a maximum of 18 guests, counting photographers and children over age 2. This is a firm limit, so plan your guest list with that in mind. The fee is $25.00. Ceremony hours are 9:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The courthouse is closed on weekends.

If you need an apostille for use in another country, get a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the Clerk's office ($5.50). Then submit it to the Maryland Secretary of State in Annapolis. The Secretary of State's office is at 16 Francis Street and can be reached at 410-974-5521. For countries not covered by the Hague Convention, additional federal authentication may be needed after the state apostille.

Anne Arundel County Marriage Records Search

The Circuit Court Clerk holds marriage records from 1905 forward. For records before 1905, you need to contact the Maryland State Archives. The Archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis holds earlier collections. Their marriage records guide explains which collections exist and how to request them.

The Maryland State Archives Anne Arundel County records listing is a good starting point for genealogy research. It breaks down what records are held and for what time periods. The Anne Arundel County Public Library also offers research databases for local history. Check their resources at aacpl.net/research.

The Maryland People's Law Library has a plain-language guide to marriage license requirements statewide. It is a helpful resource for anyone who has questions about the process before going to the Annapolis office.

For certified copies by mail, send a written request to the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Attn: License Department, 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401. Include both parties' names, the marriage date, and a money order or certified check for $5.50 per copy. Allow extra time for mail processing.

Maryland Marriage Law Requirements

Maryland Family Law Section 2-401 requires a license for all marriages. This applies in Anne Arundel County just as it does across the state. The 48-hour waiting period is also set by state law and is counted from 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after the license is issued. Both parties must complete the application, even if only one appears in person.

Maryland has no justices of the peace. Authorized officiants include judges, court clerks, certain government officials, and ordained religious clergy. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Clerk's office within five days. That signed certificate becomes the official marriage record in Anne Arundel County.

Same-sex marriage became legal in Maryland on January 1, 2013, and Anne Arundel County has been issuing licenses to all couples since that date. Couples under 17 cannot marry in Maryland. Those who are 17 need a court order. No witnesses are required at the ceremony. Maryland does not require a blood test. There is also no minimum residency requirement for either party.

Note: Anne Arundel County charges $55 for a marriage license, which is higher than some other Maryland counties. The fee covers administrative costs and is non-refundable once the license is issued.

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.