Carroll County Marriage License Records
Carroll County marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Westminster at 55 N. Court Street. Applications are walk-in during weekday hours. This page covers what to bring, fees, office hours, civil ceremony options both indoors and outdoors at the courthouse, and how to search Carroll County marriage records going back to 1837.
Carroll County Overview
Applying for a Carroll County Marriage License
Applications for a Carroll County marriage license are processed at the Land Records and Licensing Department in Room G-29 or G-8 at 55 N. Court Street in Westminster. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday during office hours. No appointment is needed to apply. The clerk processes most applications the same day. After the license is issued, the 48-hour waiting period begins, effective at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day. The license stays valid for six months and must be used for a ceremony held in Carroll County.
Only one party must be present to apply. The other party can provide a copy or digital photo of their valid government-issued photo ID. Both parties' Social Security numbers are required under state law but do not appear on the printed license. If either applicant was previously married, you must provide the exact date and location of each prior divorce. If a former spouse died, bring the date of death. Divorce decrees help speed the process along.
The official Carroll County marriage license page at courts.state.md.us lists all current fees, required documents, and steps for the Westminster office. Check it before your visit. For the non-resident absence form, download Form CC-FM-066 from mdcourts.gov.
No blood test is needed. No witnesses are required. There is no Maryland residency requirement. Anyone can apply regardless of where they live, as long as they plan to marry in Carroll County.
Carroll County Clerk of Circuit Court Office
The Licensing Department at the Westminster courthouse handles all marriage license applications and civil ceremony scheduling for Carroll County. The office is in Room G-29 or G-8 at 55 N. Court Street. Hours for applications and ceremonies differ slightly, so check before you visit. The office is closed weekends and holidays.
View the Carroll County Clerk of Circuit Court homepage for current hours and links to clerk services in Westminster.
| Address | 55 N. Court Street, Westminster, MD 21157 (Room G-29 or G-8) |
|---|---|
| Phone (Applications) | 410-386-8717 |
| Phone (Ceremonies) | 410-386-8760 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Ceremony Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| License Fee | $35.00 |
| Civil Ceremony Fee | $25.00 |
| Certified Copy | $5.50 |
| Plain Copy | $0.50 per page |
| Payment | Cash, check (payable to Heather S. DeWees, Clerk), money order, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover). No credit card payments by phone. |
Note: Mail requests go to Clerk of the Circuit Court, Attn: Marriage Records, 55 N. Court Street, Westminster, MD 21157. Include both parties' names, the marriage date, and payment for $5.50 per certified copy.
What to Bring to the Carroll County Clerk
Both applicants need a valid government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses, passports, military IDs, and certified birth certificates all work. If one party is absent, their ID must still be provided as a copy or digital image. Foreign nationals should bring a passport. The ID must show your name, date of birth, and photo.
Social Security numbers for both parties are required. They are stored securely and not printed on the license. You also need full legal names, current home addresses, states of birth, dates of birth, and current marital status. Prior marriages require more detail. Bring the exact date each prior marriage ended and the county and state where the divorce was granted. If a prior spouse died, bring the date of death. A divorce decree or death certificate is helpful documentation.
If a 17-year-old wants to marry in Carroll County, a court petition is required. The fee for that petition is $165.00. This is separate from the license fee and requires a court proceeding before the license can be issued. Persons under 17 cannot marry in Maryland as of October 2022.
Carroll County Marriage License Pages
The official Carroll County marriage license page at courts.state.md.us lists fees, hours, and what to bring to the Westminster courthouse.
This is the most current and reliable source for Carroll County marriage license requirements before you make the trip to Westminster.
The Carroll County Clerk of Circuit Court homepage has contact information, office hours, and links to land records and other clerk services.
You can use this site to confirm current hours or reach the clerk before your visit to the Westminster courthouse.
The Carroll County Public Library research databases include genealogy tools for searching historical marriage records and other family history resources in Carroll County.
The library's genealogy collection is a good supplement to the State Archives when researching Carroll County marriage records from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Civil Ceremonies at the Carroll County Courthouse
The Carroll County Circuit Court offers civil marriage ceremonies through the Clerk's office. You must have a valid license before you can book a ceremony. Call 410-386-8760 to schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance. Walk-in ceremonies are not available in Carroll County. Ceremony hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays. The fee is $25.00.
Carroll County offers two venue options. The indoor ceremony room holds up to 10 to 12 guests. If you want more guests or an outdoor setting, you can hold the ceremony on the courthouse grounds in Westminster, weather permitting. Ask about the outdoor option when you schedule. Photography is generally allowed. Confirm with the clerk when booking.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed and signed marriage certificate to the Clerk's office within five days. That document becomes the official record of your marriage in Carroll County. Keep a copy for your files. If you need certified copies later, contact the clerk at 410-386-8717 or write to the Westminster office.
Carroll County Marriage Record Search
Carroll County records go back to 1837, when the county was formed. The Maryland State Archives in Annapolis holds the oldest collections. MSA CM1282 covers 1837 to 1851. MSA CM1285 covers 1851 to 1867. MSA CM299 is a marriage record book covering 1865 to 1914. These can be viewed at the Archives or requested by mail. The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide gives a full breakdown of what is available and how to access each collection.
The Carroll County Public Library research resources are a good supplement. The library holds local history materials that may include marriage records, church registers, and family histories. These are especially useful for genealogy research in the Westminster area.
Current records are held at the Clerk's office in Westminster. Certified copies cost $5.50 each. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. You can request copies in person or by mail. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search covers court dockets in Carroll County but does not include marriage license records. For marriage license data, go directly to the Clerk or the State Archives.
You can also download the Carroll County marriage license brochure from mdcourts.gov. It covers the full application process in a convenient format to review before your visit.
Maryland Marriage Laws Applied in Carroll County
Maryland Family Law Section 2-401 requires a license for all marriages. This applies in Carroll County and every other county in the state. The 48-hour waiting period is non-negotiable. It starts at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after the license is issued. No one can waive this waiting period.
Carroll County licenses are only valid for ceremonies held within Carroll County. Maryland does not have justices of the peace. Officiants include ordained clergy, judges, court clerks, and other persons authorized under state law. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Westminster Clerk's office within five days. Failure to do so is a problem for the official record, so it is important that the officiant knows this requirement.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Maryland since January 1, 2013. There is no residency requirement. No witnesses are required at the ceremony. No blood test is needed. As of October 2022, persons under 17 may not marry in Maryland. Anyone who is 17 must obtain a court order first. Both parties must be 18 or older to apply without a court order.
Note: Carroll County accepts credit cards for marriage license payments, but credit card payments cannot be made over the phone. All card transactions must happen in person at the Westminster courthouse.
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.