Garrett County Marriage License

Garrett County marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of Circuit Court in Oakland, Maryland's westernmost county. Many couples getting married at Deep Creek Lake or in the surrounding mountain areas get their license here. This page covers the application process, what to bring, the cash-only payment policy, and how to find historical Garrett County marriage records through the state archives and other sources.

Garrett County Clerk of Circuit Court

The Clerk of Circuit Court in Oakland handles all marriage license applications for Garrett County. The office is at 203 S. 4th Street, Room 109, Oakland, MD 21550. Call ahead at (301) 334-1937. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and closed on state and federal holidays. Walk-ins are accepted for applications.

One thing couples planning a Deep Creek Lake wedding must know before they drive to Oakland: Garrett County is a cash-only office. No credit cards and no debit cards are accepted for marriage license fees. Bring cash, a personal check, or a money order. This applies to the license application and to certified copies. Plan ahead, especially if you are coming from out of the area. There is no ATM at the courthouse, so get cash before you arrive. Many out-of-state couples who plan mountain or lakeside weddings in Garrett County are surprised by this policy, so it is worth emphasizing. The mailing address is P.O. Box 447, Oakland, MD 21550 if you need to send a written request later.

The official Garrett County marriage license page shows the cash-only policy and other details about applying in Oakland.

This page is the best starting point for couples planning to get a marriage license before a Garrett County wedding, including details specific to the Oakland clerk's office.

Getting a Marriage License for a Deep Creek Lake Wedding

Garrett County is a popular wedding destination. Couples come from across Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and other states to marry at Deep Creek Lake venues, in the mountains, or at one of the area's many outdoor wedding sites. All of them need a Garrett County marriage license before the ceremony can take place.

The key rule is this: you must get your license from the county where you plan to marry. Since Deep Creek Lake and most popular wedding venues in the area are in Garrett County, you must apply at the Oakland courthouse. You do not need to be a Maryland resident. Only one person needs to appear in person. The $40 fee is paid in cash, check, or money order. After you apply, the 48-hour waiting period begins at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day. If your wedding is on a Saturday, you should apply by Wednesday at the latest to allow extra time. The license is valid for six months. If you apply early and the wedding is many weeks away, that is fine as long as the date falls within the six-month window.

The Deep Creek Lake wedding guide at visitdeepcreek.com covers venues and planning resources for couples getting married in Garrett County.

Note: Call the Garrett County Clerk at (301) 334-1937 before your visit to confirm current hours and requirements, since policies can change. Ceremonies at the Clerk's office require an appointment.

How to Apply for a Garrett County Marriage License

Applying is straightforward. One or both parties appear at the Oakland office. The clerk will ask for your information and complete the form with you. The whole process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You leave with your license that same day.

You need a valid government-issued photo ID. If you are 25 or younger, the office requires either a driver's license or a birth certificate to verify your age. For older applicants, a standard photo ID is sufficient. Both parties must provide their Social Security numbers. The numbers are required by Maryland law but are not printed on the license itself. If either person was divorced before, bring the divorce decree and the exact date, county, and state of each divorce. A copy of the divorce decree is required if the divorce is recent. If a prior spouse died, you need the date and place of that death. Under Maryland Family Law Section 2-401, no ceremony may take place without a valid marriage license. Same-sex marriages have been legal in Maryland since January 1, 2013. No one under 17 may marry in Maryland as of October 2022, and a 17-year-old needs a court order. The Non-Resident Marriage License Form CC-FM-066 is available for out-of-state couples who want to review non-resident requirements before visiting Oakland.

Garrett County Marriage Records and Historical Research

Garrett County has marriage records going back to 1872. Several sources exist for researchers looking for historical marriage data. The county was formed in 1872, so records start from that year and run through the present day.

The Garrett County Historical Society's genealogy resources page is a good first stop for local research. The Society has compiled marriage records alongside census, church, and cemetery data collected by the Historical Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Historical Society holds records that are not always available through the state archives, making it a useful supplement for anyone researching Garrett County families.

The USGenWeb project for Garrett County provides free access to transcribed marriage records from 1872 to 1886. These digitized records are searchable online and cover the earliest years of the county's existence.

USGenWeb is a free resource and does not require an account. The Garrett County section also has links to other transcribed records that may help genealogists researching Maryland's far western corner.

The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide covers the Garrett County archive collections, which include marriage records from 1873 to 1957. The archives also hold marriage indexes that can help you narrow a search before requesting a physical record. For records from January 1, 2007 forward, the Division of Vital Records in Baltimore holds statewide marriage data at (410) 764-3038.

To get a certified copy by mail, send the names of both parties, the approximate year of marriage, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for $5.50 made out to "Clerk of Court" to P.O. Box 447, Oakland, MD 21550. Mail requests are typically processed the same day they arrive and sent back out promptly. No credit card payments are accepted by mail either. The Maryland State Archives marriage references index is also available online to help locate records before you submit a formal request.

Maryland Marriage Laws for Garrett County Couples

All Maryland counties follow the same state marriage law framework. The 48-hour waiting period applies in Garrett County just as it does everywhere else. The license becomes valid at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after application. Plan your ceremony date with this in mind, especially if you are traveling from out of state for a Deep Creek Lake wedding.

No blood test is needed. No witnesses are required at the application stage. You do not need to be a Maryland resident. The license is valid for six months, and you must use it in Garrett County. The officiant must return the signed certificate to the Garrett County Clerk within five days of the ceremony. If you are using a private officiant for your Deep Creek venue wedding, make sure they understand this requirement. Maryland has no justices of the peace. Civil ceremonies at the clerk's office in Oakland require an appointment, and fees are paid by cash or check only. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search is available for court case lookups but does not contain marriage license 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. Garrett is Maryland's westernmost county and borders only one other Maryland county.