Get a Marriage License in Charles County
Charles County marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 200 Charles Street in La Plata. Walk-in applications are accepted on weekdays. This page covers the fees, office hours, what to bring, civil ceremony details, and how to search Charles County marriage records, including historical collections at the Maryland State Archives going back to the county's founding.
Charles County Overview
Applying for a Charles County Marriage License
Applications are processed at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 200 Charles Street in La Plata. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday during office hours. No appointment is needed to apply. Processing takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and the license is issued the same day. Once issued, the 48-hour waiting period starts, effective at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day. The license stays valid for six months and is only good for a ceremony held in Charles County.
Only one party needs to appear in person. The absent party must provide a valid government-issued photo ID. A copy or digital image is acceptable. Both parties' Social Security numbers are required on the application form. They are stored electronically but are not printed on the license or certificate. If either person was previously married, bring the exact date and county or state of each prior divorce. If a former spouse passed away, bring the date of death.
The official Charles County marriage license page at courts.state.md.us has current requirements and office details for the La Plata courthouse. The Charles County Clerk of Circuit Court homepage covers all clerk services and contact information.
No blood test is required. No witnesses are needed at the ceremony. There is no Maryland residency requirement for either party. Couples living outside Maryland can apply in Charles County as long as they plan to marry here. Waldorf residents, though in an unincorporated area, apply at the La Plata courthouse just like all other Charles County residents.
Charles County Clerk of Circuit Court in La Plata
The Clerk's office at 200 Charles Street handles all marriage license work for Charles County. This includes applications, civil ceremony scheduling, and certified copy requests. The office is open Monday through Friday and closed on weekends and state holidays.
| Address | 200 Charles Street, La Plata, MD 20646 |
|---|---|
| Phone (Marriage/Ceremonies) | 301-932-3255 |
| Phone (General) | 301-932-3236 |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Ceremony Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (except holidays) |
| License Fee | $40.00 |
| Civil Ceremony Fee | $25.00 |
| Certified Copy | $5.50 |
| Plain Copy | $0.50 per page |
| Payment | Cash, Visa, MasterCard credit cards. Exact change is appreciated. |
Note: Charles County charges $40 for a marriage license, which falls between the lower and higher rates among Maryland counties. Cash and credit cards are both accepted. Bring exact change if paying cash to speed things up at the La Plata office.
Required Documents for Charles County Marriage License
Both parties need valid government-issued photo identification. A driver's license, passport, military ID, or certified birth certificate works. If one party is absent, their ID must still be shown as a copy or a photo on a phone. Foreign nationals should bring a passport. The ID must include a name, date of birth, and photo. Make sure it is current and not expired.
You need Social Security numbers for both parties on the application. They are used for state records purposes and are not displayed on the license. Full legal names, current addresses, states of birth, dates of birth, and current marital status are all required. If either applicant was previously married, you need the exact date each prior marriage ended, along with the county and state where the divorce was finalized. For a deceased prior spouse, bring the date of death.
Required documentation includes valid government-issued photo ID for both parties, with a copy or digital image acceptable for the absent party. Divorce decrees from all prior marriages should be brought if available. If your situation is more complicated, the Maryland People's Law Library has a plain-language guide to what is needed at any Maryland county office.
For mail requests for certified copies, write to: Clerk of the Circuit Court, Circuit Court for Charles County, Marriage Records Department, 200 Charles Street, La Plata, Maryland 20646. Include both parties' names, the date of marriage, payment (check or money order made out to "Clerk of Court") for $5.50 per copy plus $0.50 per page, and a return address.
Charles County Marriage License Online Pages
The official Charles County marriage license page at courts.state.md.us details the application process at the La Plata courthouse, including fees, hours, and what to bring.
Check this page before your visit to make sure you have the right documents and know what to expect at the La Plata office.
The Charles County Clerk of Circuit Court homepage provides office hours, contact details, and links to all services at the La Plata office.
From this page you can also access land records, civil case filings, and other services handled by the Charles County clerk system.
Civil Ceremonies in Charles County
The Charles County Circuit Court offers civil marriage ceremonies at the La Plata courthouse. You must have a valid license before scheduling. Call 301-932-3255 to set up an appointment. Ceremonies are by appointment only. Walk-ins for ceremonies are not available. Ceremony hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except holidays. The fee is $25.00, payable by cash or credit card.
Charles County offers both indoor and outdoor ceremony options. The outdoor option takes place on the courthouse grounds in La Plata, weather permitting. Ask about this when you call to schedule. Indoor ceremonies are held in a room at the courthouse. Bring your guests and any items you want for the ceremony. Photography is generally allowed; confirm with the clerk when booking.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed marriage certificate to the Clerk's office within five days. That signed document is the official Charles County marriage record. The officiant is responsible for this step. If they fail to return it, follow up with the Clerk's office to make sure the record is properly filed. Keep a certified copy of your marriage certificate in a safe place.
Searching Charles County Marriage Records
Charles County has deep historical records. Land records with vital records go back to 1654. Marriage records from 1865 are available at the Maryland State Archives. The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide describes which Charles County collections exist and how to access them. The Archives are at 350 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis. Their reading room is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on the first Saturday of each month at the same hours.
For genealogy research, FamilySearch Maryland County Marriages covers compiled marriage collections from 1658 to 1940 and includes Charles County records. FamilySearch is free to use and searchable by name. The collection is a good starting point for anyone tracing ancestors in the La Plata area or southern Maryland.
Current records are held at the Clerk's office in La Plata. Certified copies cost $5.50. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search covers court cases in Charles County but does not contain marriage license records. For marriage license data, contact the Clerk's office at 301-932-3255 or the State Archives for older records.
Note: Waldorf is the largest community in Charles County, but it is unincorporated. Waldorf residents get their marriage license at the La Plata courthouse, just like anyone else in the county.
Maryland Marriage Laws in Charles County
Maryland Family Law Section 2-401 requires a license for all marriages. The 48-hour waiting period is mandatory across the state. It starts at 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 at the La Plata office.
A Charles County license is only valid for a ceremony held within Charles County. If you plan to marry in a neighboring county like Calvert or Prince George's, you need a license from that county's clerk. Maryland does not have justices of the peace. Authorized officiants include judges, court clerks, ordained clergy, and others recognized under state law. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed certificate to the Clerk's office within five days. That signed document is your official record of marriage in Charles County.
Same-sex marriage became legal in Maryland on January 1, 2013. There is no residency requirement for either party. No blood test is needed. No witnesses are required at the ceremony. As of October 2022, Maryland law prohibits marriage for anyone under 17. Persons aged 17 must get a court order before a license can be issued. Both parties must be 18 or older to apply without a court order.
If you need to use your Charles County marriage certificate internationally, start with a certified copy from the Clerk. Then submit it to the Maryland Secretary of State for an apostille. Some countries may require additional U.S. federal authentication beyond the state apostille. Check with your destination country's consulate to find out what they require.
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.