Find Marriage License Records in St. Mary's County
St. Mary's County marriage license applications go through the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Leonardtown. The office at 41605 Court House Drive handles all license filings for this Southern Maryland county. Couples can walk in Monday through Friday during business hours. This guide covers the application process, what documents you need, fees, and how to search for St. Mary's County marriage records in person and through state archives.
St. Mary's County Overview
St. Mary's County Marriage License Clerk Office
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for St. Mary's County is located at 41605 Court House Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650. This is where you apply for a St. Mary's County marriage license. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. It is closed on weekends and state holidays. Walk-ins are accepted for license applications. If you want a civil ceremony at the courthouse, you need to call ahead and set up an appointment. The ceremony fee is $25.00.
St. Mary's County has an important payment restriction. The license fee of $35.00 must be paid by cash or money order only. The office does not accept credit cards or personal checks for marriage license payments. This is different from many other Maryland counties, so plan accordingly before your visit. For mail requests and certified copy orders, you can use a check or money order. The official marriage license page for St. Mary's County is at mdcourts.gov/clerks/stmarys/marriage. The clerk homepage at mdcourts.gov/clerks/stmarys has additional contact details.
| Office | Clerk of the Circuit Court, St. Mary's County |
|---|---|
| Address | 41605 Court House Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| License Fee | $35.00 (cash or money order ONLY) |
| Civil Ceremony | $25.00 by appointment |
| Certified Copy | $5.50 per copy |
Note: St. Mary's County does not accept credit cards or personal checks for the marriage license fee. Bring cash or a money order when you visit the Leonardtown courthouse.
Applying for a St. Mary's County Marriage License
One person from the couple must appear in person at the St. Mary's County Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. You do not both have to go, but the person who comes must bring valid government-issued ID for both applicants. A driver's license, birth certificate, or passport all work. The clerk uses these to verify names, ages, and identity. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Maryland law prohibits anyone under 17 from marrying. Those who are 17 need a court order.
The application form asks for the full legal name, current address, state of birth, age, and Social Security number of each person. Social Security numbers are collected under state law but will not appear on the issued license. You must also give your current marital status. If you or your partner was married before, you need to provide the exact date and county or state of each divorce decree or the death of a prior spouse. Having these details on hand before you visit will make the process go faster.
There is a 48-hour waiting period after the license is issued. The license becomes valid at 6:00 AM on the second calendar day following the date it was issued. The ceremony must happen within St. Mary's County, and the license is valid for six months from the date of issue. Maryland Family Law Section 2-401 sets the basic requirements for marriage licenses statewide. No blood test is required. No witnesses are needed for the application itself.
Couples who do not live in Maryland can use the non-resident application form CC-FM-066, which is available for download at mdcourts.gov. This form must be completed by both parties before they arrive or arrange for a comparable official to verify it. One party still needs to appear in person at the St. Mary's County clerk office to submit the form and pay the fee.
St. Mary's County Marriage Ceremony Requirements
Maryland does not use justices of the peace. A marriage in St. Mary's County must be performed by an ordained religious minister or by a judge or clerk of a court of record. The People's Law Library at peoples-law.org explains who qualifies to officiate a Maryland wedding in plain terms. Make sure your chosen officiant meets state requirements before your ceremony date in St. Mary's County.
The screenshot below shows the People's Law Library page on marriage license and officiation requirements in Maryland, which provides a useful overview of the rules that apply in St. Mary's County and across the state.
This resource is free and covers the key rules couples need to know before planning their St. Mary's County ceremony.
No witnesses are required for a St. Mary's County ceremony. After the wedding, the officiant must complete the certificate portion of the license and return it to the St. Mary's County Clerk of Circuit Court within five days. That returned certificate becomes the permanent marriage record for the county. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Maryland since January 1, 2013. There are no residency requirements for the license, but the ceremony must take place within St. Mary's County.
Getting Certified Copies of St. Mary's County Marriage Records
Certified copies of St. Mary's County marriage records cost $5.50 each. You can request them in person at the Leonardtown courthouse or by mail. The official certified copy request form is available at courts.state.md.us. Download and print the form before mailing your request.
For mail requests, send the completed form with a check or money order payable to "Clerk, Circuit Court for St. Mary's County." Include the names of both parties as they were listed on the original license, the approximate date of the marriage, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. Mail to: Clerk of the Circuit Court, 41605 Court House Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Mail processing generally takes several business days, though times can vary. In-person requests are handled the same day.
For marriages that took place before the clerk began keeping regular digital records, certified copies may be available through the Maryland State Archives. The Archives at guide.msa.maryland.gov holds historical marriage records for St. Mary's County going back to the county's founding in 1637, making it one of the oldest county record collections in Maryland.
Historical St. Mary's County Marriage Records
St. Mary's County was founded in 1637 and is one of the oldest counties in the United States. Its marriage records span hundreds of years. The Maryland State Archives holds microfilm and digital collections covering St. Mary's County marriages from the colonial era through the twentieth century. Their guide at guide.msa.maryland.gov shows the range of records available and how to request them. On-site access to microfilm is free during Archives business hours.
The screenshot below shows the Maryland State Archives records guide, which lists the historical marriage record collections available for St. Mary's County and other Maryland counties.
The guide helps genealogists identify which record sets cover the time period they are researching for St. Mary's County family history.
The St. Mary's County Historical Society at stmaryshistory.org is another source for local records and research help. The St. Mary's County Library also maintains genealogy and local history resources at stmalib.org. Library staff can help you find records or point you toward the right collection. FamilySearch indexes many Maryland county marriage records and is a free starting point for anyone searching St. Mary's County marriage history going back to the 1600s.
Note: Records from January 1, 2007 onward may also be requested through the Maryland Division of Vital Records by calling 410-764-3038, though the county clerk remains the best source for certified copies of recent records.
Nearby Counties in Maryland
Marriage licenses in Maryland are issued by each county separately. If your ceremony will be held outside St. Mary's County, you need a license from that county instead.