If you're getting married in Maryland, you must first apply for a marriage license.
It'll cost you $25.00 to $85.00, and you'll have to use it within six months.
To get married in Maryland, apply for a marriage license at the clerk of the circuit court office in the county where the marriage will occur.
The City of Baltimore has its own circuit court, separate from Baltimore County.
There are no residency requirements to marry in Maryland.
You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to get married in Maryland. Foreign couples are welcome.
A Maryland marriage license costs between $25 and $85. The fee varies by county, but most charge $35.
A certified copy of your marriage certificate costs $5.50 per copy. This is separate from the marriage license fee.
A civil ceremony costs $25, except for Cecil County, where it's $35.
You may only use your marriage license in the county where you got it.
You must use a Maryland marriage license to get married in Maryland.
The marriage license application will ask for your name, age, residence, birthplace, social security number, and marital history.
Your social security number is used for child support enforcement purposes. It will not be shown on the marriage license.
The marriage application process takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
If you cannot apply in person, your partner may apply on your behalf.
If neither of you live in the county you're applying in, you may mail a Non-Resident Marriage License Application Affidavit.
If you're at least 18 years old, you may get married without parental consent.
If you're 16 or 17 years old, you may get married with a parent's or guardian's consent or if you're pregnant or have given birth.
If you're 15 years old and pregnant or have given birth to a child, you may marry with a parent's or guardian's consent.
If you're 14 years old or younger, you may not get married in Maryland.
One parent or guardian must grant consent. The parent need not have custody rights.
A parent or guardian may grant consent in person or with a notarized consent form.
Show proof of pregnancy or prior birth with a signed medical certificate.
The certificate must be from a certified nurse practitioner or a licensed physician or physician's assistant.
A court will not overrule a parent or guardian who refuses to grant consent.
You'll either get your marriage license the day you apply or two days later. Issuance varies by county.
Your marriage license won't be effective for use until two days after applying, at 6 a.m.
A circuit judge may waive the two-day waiting period for good cause if you're a Maryland resident or a member of the U.S. military.
Either applicant may pick up the marriage license. A third-party may pick it up with your written approval.
The court clerk can mail you your marriage license. This may exclude minors.
Your marriage license will expire six months after the day it becomes effective.
If you lose your marriage license, get a duplicate replacement for $10.
Bring government-issued photo ID that confirms your age, such as a driver's license or passport.
A certified copy of your birth certificate may be asked for if you're below the age of 18.
You do not have to bring your social security card, but you must know your number.
You do not have to get a premarital blood test. The court clerk will give you material on birth control and a list of family planning clinics.
The court clerk may ask to see a certified copy of every divorce decree. If divorced within the past year, it's a likely ask.
You do not have to wait to get married following a divorce.
The court clerk may ask to see a certified copy of every prior spouse's death certificate.
There is no waiting period to remarry following the death of a spouse.
Husbands, wives, and same-sex couples may change their names after marriage.
Neither party to a marriage must change their name.
Your must petition a Maryland circuit court to change your first name.
You may replace your middle name with your maiden name or last name at birth.
You may take your spouse's last name or hyphenate surnames in any order.
Use a certified copy of your marriage certificate to effect a name change.
You may begin the name change paperwork online before or after marriage.
You do not need to bring witnesses to your marriage ceremony.
Your marriage may be performed by a judge, court clerk, or authorized official of a religious body.
Judges and court clerks hold civil ceremonies by appointment. It costs $35 in Cecil County and $25 elsewhere.
Your officiant must return your marriage license to the court clerk who issued it within five days after marriage.
You may buy a certified copy of your marriage certificate for $5.50 from the circuit court that issued you your marriage license.
Maryland's Vital Statistics Administration sells birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates for $10 to $12.
Your may not get married by proxy, phone, or video. It requires your physical presence.
You can marry your first cousin in Maryland.
You cannot marry a grandparent, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew.
You cannot enter into a common-law marriage in Maryland. This has always been the case.
Maryland law will recognize a valid common-law marriage set up outside the state.
Where will you apply?
Share your questions or comments
I have a question, how many people are allowed in the room where you get married in? how do you go about setting everything up to get married??
Staff says:how many people are allowed in the room where you get married in?
That's a matter of room and building size. You'll have to contact the court clerk to determine the maximum occupancy for their in-house civil ceremonies. I'm assuming you're referring to a civil ceremony.
how do you go about setting everything up to get married?You'll have to make an appointment and the arrangements will be set up for you. Rachel says: Do both parties have to have in state identification or does it not matter Editor says:
Do both parties have to have in state identificationAlthough both of you must show photo ID, it doesn't have to originate from Maryland. Anne Fachet says:
Do both applicants have to be present at time of application? My friend is in the hospital. We'd like to get married ASAP. She is terminal, but at present is still of all faculties.
Editor says:Do both applicants have to be present at time of application?You may apply on your partner's behalf. H says:
If my partner does not have a SSN but has a tax ID #, are we still able to apply for a marriage license in MD?
Editor says:If my partner does not have a SSNYou may still get married. The SSN requirement only applies to those who have a number. Kelly says: How do you schedule a courthouse ceremony and how far ahead of time? Editor says:
How do you schedule a courthouse ceremonyContact the circuit court to make an appointment.
and how far ahead of time?
Play it safe and book your appointment before applying for your marriage license. You'll pay the ceremony fee when you marry.
Edwina C Dixon says: What inormation do I need to present to get married? Editor says:Hi Edwina. Bring government-issued photo ID. If you're below age 18, bring your birth certificate. Some offices may ask to see your divorce decree if you're divorced.
Elvira says:I will be getting married in the summer. My fiancé is coming from a different country and will not have a ssn. Are there Any other documents he can
Editor says: Hi Elvira. Showing a social security number isn't required for non-U.S. citizens. Darlene Altvater says:To apply for marriage license what documents do I need. My late husband passed away 12/2018 and my fiancé is divorced.
Editor says:Hi Darlene. Bring a certified copy of your late spouse's death certificate. Your fiancé should bring a certified copy of their divorce decree. Both should bring photo ID. Keep in mind, not ever circuit court requires these documents. If it's not a hassle to bring them, then do so. If it's an onerous task, you can call ahead to confirm if they're required.
Autum schober says:If I want to get married in a different county, then the one I get my license in will I be able to get married in that county at the court house? I live in Baltimore city and would like to find a pretty court house in Maryland to get married at. We are planning to hopefully have all the documents by Halloween.
Editor says:If I want to get married in a different county, then the one I get my license
Your marriage ceremony must take place in the same Maryland county where you obtain your marriage license.
Jody says:I have been asked to officiate my nephew's wedding. They are getting their marriage license on their own prior to the ceremony. In the state of Maryland what, if any, certification or training requirements must I undergo/complete prior to officiating the ceremony? I have not been able to find any requirements regarding what I have to complete prior to officiating.
Editor says:Hi Jody. There's no certification process to officiate, but Maryland's family law statute says you must be an "authorized official."
Sandra Bernal says:We are getting married in Annapolis MD in December. We are Florida residents. Can we apply by mail or so one of us has to be there to apply. Thank you.
Editor says: Hi Sandra. Yes, you can apply by mail using a non-resident affidavit. Jane Silvestri says:We are being married on Sept 16, 2023 in Baltimore County. Our officiant is family member who is a pastor/minister of the United Methodist church in Minnesota. Does he need to provide any documentation to prove that he is a recognized member of the clergy?
Editor says: Hi Jane. Your officiant does not need to show or file documentation to preside over your marriage.Your email address will not be published.
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