How to Apply for a Marriage License in Maryland

Any time it comes to paperwork, we as a society are immediately overwhelmed. Now adding a wedding into the mix, bring on the anxiety! We did the research for you, and below are easy steps to getting that marriage license signed, sealed, and delivered.

General Info for Maryland Marriage License:

• A marriage license must be obtained from the clerk of Circuit Court for the county, or Baltimore City, where the marriage will be performed, regardless of the residency of the couple. For example, if you are residents of Anne Arundel County, but are getting married in Montgomery County, you will need to obtain a marriage license from the Clerk of Montgomery County Circuit Court. If, however, it is not convenient for you to visit the Clerk's Office in that county, you may apply using a Non-Resident Marriage License Application-Affidavit.

Apply for a Marriage License in Maryland

• While only one party is required to apply for a marriage license, EACH party must provide a copy of an official government-issued birth certificate or other official government-issued document or record demonstrating their age. 

• In all instances, you must bring/show the following:

  • Full Name

  • Current Street Address

  • Age 

  • State of Birth (Country if born outside United States)

  • Social Security Number

  • Marital status (Single, Divorced, Widow or Widower)

  • If either party has been married before, the county, state, and date of EACH divorce or death of spouse

  • Whether the parties are related by either blood or marriage

  • A copy of an official government-issued birth certificate or other official government-issued document or record demonstrating the age of BOTH applicants.

• The marriage license application fee varies by county. There may be processing fees applied for credit card transactions.

Receive your Marriage License in Maryland

• There is a 48 hour waiting period to use your marriage license in Maryland so you must get your license at least 2 days prior to your wedding date. (Although we recommend starting the process at least a month in advance in case there are any hiccups along the way.) The marriage license is good for 6 months once received.

Need a copy of your Marriage License in Maryland?

If you need a certified copy of your marriage license or marriage certificate, contact the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court that issued the marriage license. The court may impose restrictions on who can be issued a certified copy and fees may apply.

If you do not need a certified copy of your marriage license, then you may be able to locate an unofficial copy of your marriage license from the Maryland Archives. 

Remember, your marriage license is not the same thing as your marriage certificate. The marriage license is what authorizes you to get married. The marriage certificate is what proves that you are married.

Who Can Perform Marriages in Maryland?

• Upon presentation of a license, a marriage ceremony may be performed by any of the following:

  • an official of a religious group, authorized by the rules and customs of the group;

  • a court clerk;

  • a deputy clerk, designated by the county administrative judge of the circuit court for the county; OR

  • a judge.

• After the ceremony, the person who performed the ceremony returns the certificate of marriage, signed with the title of the authorized official who performs the marriage, to the clerk of the court issuing the license within 5 days to be recorded in the county or city records. Remember, this certificate of marriage was included with the marriage license.

We hope this was helpful information to take care of your marriage licenses and other commonly asked questions about applying for a marriage license in Maryland. If you need day-of coordination for your small and intimate wedding, look no further than us here at Tiny Wedding Collective!

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The Tiny Wedding Collective is a Washington DC-based all-inclusive elopement and intimate wedding planning service. A Tiny Wedding is for couples who want to celebrate their commitment in a thoughtful, stylish way but don’t want the stress and fanfare of a big, expensive wedding. Not all couples fit inside the same traditional box and it’s time that we make space for inclusivity, diversity, and creativity. To find out more about what it’s like to work with us, please fill out our contact form here.