Dorchester County Marriage License
Getting a marriage license in Dorchester County means a trip to the Clerk of Circuit Court office in Cambridge. This page covers how to apply, what to bring, current fees, and how to search Dorchester County marriage records going back to the 1700s. Whether you plan to marry in Cambridge or anywhere else in the county, the Clerk's office at 206 High Street is where the process starts. Walk-in applications are welcome, and staff can help you in both English and Spanish.
Dorchester County Overview
Dorchester County Clerk of Circuit Court
The Clerk of Circuit Court handles all marriage license applications in Dorchester County. The office is at 206 High Street in Cambridge, which is the county seat. You can walk in Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Call (410) 228-0480 if you have questions before you go.
One thing that sets Dorchester County apart is that the Clerk's office offers help in Spanish. If English is not your first language, staff can assist you during the application process. This is not available at every clerk's office in Maryland, so it is worth knowing if you or your partner speak Spanish. Applications typically take about 15 minutes to complete. The office is easy to find in downtown Cambridge, and parking is available nearby.
The official Dorchester County marriage license page at mdcourts.gov lists current requirements and contact details for the Cambridge office.
The page shows the application process, what to bring, and the hours you can apply in Dorchester County.
| Office | Clerk of Circuit Court, Dorchester County |
|---|---|
| Address | 206 High Street, Cambridge, MD 21613 |
| Phone | (410) 228-0480 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Language Assistance | Spanish language help available |
The Dorchester County Circuit Court page on the county government website gives more background on court services available at the Cambridge courthouse.
That page covers the range of services the Circuit Court handles beyond just marriage licenses, which can be useful if you need other court documents at the same time.
How to Apply for a Dorchester County Marriage License
Only one person needs to appear in person at the Dorchester County Clerk's office to apply, though both parties can come together. You fill out the application at the office. There is no online form to complete ahead of time. Bring everything on the list below so the process goes quickly.
Both parties need a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. You also need to know your Social Security numbers. The state of Maryland requires Social Security numbers by law, but they are not printed on the license itself. If either person was married before, you must have the exact date and county or state where each divorce was finalized. If a spouse died, bring the date and place of that death. These facts go on the application form. If you are 17 years old, you need a court order to marry in Maryland. Anyone under 17 may not marry. Same-sex marriages have been legal in Maryland since January 1, 2013, and the Dorchester County Clerk handles all applications the same way.
Payment at Dorchester County is cash, check, or money order. The fee is $35. No credit or debit cards are accepted for the license application, so plan ahead. The clerk at 206 High Street will give you the license the same day you apply. You cannot use it right away, though. Maryland law requires a 48-hour waiting period before the license becomes valid. The wait starts at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after you apply. Your license is good for six months from the date it becomes valid. You must use it in Dorchester County since that is where it was issued. Under Maryland Family Law Section 2-401, a license is required before any marriage ceremony takes place.
Note: The Dorchester County Clerk does not accept credit or debit cards for marriage license fees, so bring cash or a check made out to "Clerk, Circuit Court for Dorchester County."
Civil Marriage Ceremonies in Dorchester County
The Clerk's office at 206 High Street in Cambridge can perform civil marriage ceremonies. You must make an appointment first. Walk-ins are not taken for ceremonies. Call (410) 228-0480 to schedule your ceremony date. The fee is $25, paid by cash, check, or money order on the day of the ceremony.
Once your ceremony is done, your officiant returns the signed marriage certificate to the Dorchester County Clerk within five days. Maryland has no justices of the peace, so civil ceremonies are either performed by a judge, a clerk, or by a licensed officiant of your choosing. The Maryland People's Law Library has a full guide on who can officiate weddings and how the license and certificate process works statewide.
The Dorchester County Clerk of Circuit Court homepage gives contact details and office information for planning your ceremony.
The homepage lists all clerk services, which can help you plan both your license application and any ceremony at the Cambridge courthouse.
What You Need to Bring to the Dorchester County Clerk
Before you head to Cambridge, gather all the documents and information you need. Missing even one item can delay your application. Here is what you need:
- Valid government-issued photo ID for both parties (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Social Security numbers for both parties (cards not required, just the numbers)
- If divorced: the exact date and county or state of each prior divorce
- If widowed: the exact date and place of each prior spouse's death
- $35 fee in cash, check, or money order (no credit cards accepted)
You do not need witnesses to get a Dorchester County marriage license. You do not need to be a Maryland resident. There is also no blood test required. If you live out of state and plan to marry in Dorchester County, you can still apply at the Cambridge office. The Non-Resident Marriage License Form CC-FM-066 is available on the Maryland Courts website if you have questions about the non-resident process.
Searching Dorchester County Marriage Records
Dorchester County has marriage records going back to 1780. Most people searching recent records do so through the Clerk of Circuit Court at 206 High Street. For historical records, several databases exist online and in archives. Knowing where to look saves time.
The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide covers Dorchester County in detail. The Archives hold Dorchester County Court marriage licenses from 1780 to 1841 and Circuit Court marriage licenses from 1851 to 1880. They also have marriage records from 1886 to 1941. These older records are held under Maryland State Archives collection numbers CM447, CM449, and CM450. You can visit the Archives in Annapolis or search their online catalog to find what is available for your research.
FamilySearch is a free resource that includes Dorchester County marriage records from 1780 to 1880. Their Maryland County Marriages collection covers 1658 to 1940. You can search by name and date range. The site is free to use and a good starting point for genealogy research on Dorchester County families.
The Dorchester County Library also has local genealogy resources. The Dorchester County Library database page lists online tools available to library cardholders for local history and vital records research.
The library's genealogy databases can fill gaps when official records are hard to find, especially for Dorchester County families from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
To get a certified copy of a Dorchester County marriage record, you can visit the Clerk in person or send a written request by mail. Include the names of both parties, the approximate date of marriage, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for $5.50 made out to "Clerk, Circuit Court for Dorchester County." Mail requests to the office at 206 High Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. In-person copies are processed the same day.
Note: The Maryland Judiciary Case Search covers court cases but does not include marriage license records. Use the Clerk's office or the archives for marriage record searches.
Maryland Marriage Law and the 48-Hour Rule
Maryland law requires a 48-hour waiting period between when you get your license and when your ceremony can take place. The waiting period begins at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after your application date. Plan your ceremony date with this in mind. If you apply on a Monday, your earliest ceremony date is Wednesday morning.
The license is valid for six months. If you do not use it in time, you must apply again and pay the fee again. You must also marry within Dorchester County since the license is county-specific. No blood test is needed, and you do not need a witness to apply. You do need witnesses at the ceremony, however, depending on your officiant's requirements. After the wedding, the officiant has five days to return the signed marriage certificate to the Dorchester County Clerk. The Division of Vital Records in Baltimore keeps statewide marriage records from January 1, 2007 forward. Their office is at 6764 B Reisterstown Road, Baltimore, and you can reach them at (410) 764-3038.
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.