Franklin Dean
Maryland has a set of requirements for couples looking to get married in the state. These include obtaining a marriage license from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage will take place. The marriage license is valid for six months from the date of issue and there is a 48-hour waiting period after obtaining the license before it becomes effective. Same-sex marriage is legal in Maryland, and ceremonies can be conducted in Spanish. There is no requirement for a blood test, medical examination, or witnesses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marriage License Requirement | Yes, a marriage license is required to get married in Maryland. |
| Where to Obtain License | Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage will take place. |
| Residency Requirement | No specific mention of a residency requirement, but the license must be obtained from the county where the marriage will occur. |
| Waiting Period | The license is effective at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after issuance and must be used within 6 months. |
| Same-Sex Marriage | Legal since January 1, 2013. |
| Blood Test Requirement | Not required. |
| Witness Requirement | Not required. |
| Social Security Number | Required by state law but will not be displayed on the marriage license. |
| Divorce/Widow Status | Relevant information and documentation must be provided. |
| Application Fee | Varies by county, e.g., $25 for Somerset County. |
| Certified Copy of License/Certificate | May be obtained from the issuing Clerk's Office, with possible restrictions and fees. |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage licenses are required and can be obtained at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Marriage licenses are required in Maryland and can be obtained at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. This applies to all couples, regardless of residency. For example, if you are a resident 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.
To apply for a marriage license, either party may apply in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage will take place. The application process takes about 15 minutes. Only one person is required to be present to apply, but they must show a valid ID for the other person. The marriage license fee varies depending on the county, ranging from $25 to $55, and can be paid in cash, money order, or Visa/Mastercard. Personal checks and American Express are not accepted, and there are no refunds. Once the license is issued, it is valid for six months, and the marriage ceremony must take place within this time frame.
If neither party is a resident of the county where the ceremony will occur, Maryland law allows for a marriage license application to be submitted by mail. In this case, an affidavit form must be completed and signed under oath by a clerk or official in the county where the applicant resides. The completed form, along with the required fee, should then be mailed to the Clerk of Court in the county where the marriage will take place.
After obtaining the marriage license, couples can proceed with their wedding ceremony. It is important to note that the marriage license does not become effective until 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after it is issued. This means there is a 48-hour waiting period before the license can be used. Additionally, certified copies of the marriage license can be obtained from the Clerk's Office for a fee, and these copies serve as legal proof of marriage for various administrative purposes.
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Same-sex marriage is legal in Maryland
To get married in Maryland, a marriage license from the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court is required. This license is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and authorises the marriage of the couple.
Maryland has recognised same-sex marriages since January 1, 2013, when a law permitting same-sex marriage came into effect. The law was passed by Maryland's bicameral legislature, the General Assembly, in February 2012 and signed on March 1, 2012. This was a significant moment for gay rights activism, as it was the first time marriage rights in the United States had been extended to same-sex couples by popular vote. Maryland was the ninth state to legalise same-sex marriage.
The journey to legalising same-sex marriage in Maryland was not without its challenges. In the early 1970s, Maryland established the first law in the United States that expressly defined marriage as "a union between a man and a woman", specifically banning same-sex marriage. During the 1990s, attempts to both ban and legalise same-sex marriage failed to pass through the General Assembly. In 2004, a committee in the Maryland House of Delegates rejected a pair of marriage bills, which would have submitted a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage to voters. This rejection led to a lawsuit, Deane & Polyak v. Conaway, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Equality Maryland, challenging the existing law.
In 2010, Attorney General Doug Gansler released a legal opinion, followed by a unanimous decision in Port v. Cowan in 2012, which recognised same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions as valid under state law. This set a precedent, and in 2012, the state's Democratic representatives, led by Governor Martin O'Malley, began a campaign for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Maryland. The law finally came into effect on January 1, 2013, after 52.4% of voters approved it in a statewide referendum.
Today, same-sex couples in Maryland enjoy the same rights as any other married couple, and religious entities are not required to perform or promote marriages that conflict with their beliefs.
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There is no blood test or medical exam requirement
To get married in Maryland, you must obtain a marriage license from the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage will take place. This can be done by either party applying in person, or, if neither party is a resident of the county, by mail. The marriage license is valid for six months from the date of issue and must be used within this time frame.
While there is no blood test or medical exam requirement, there are other requirements that must be met to obtain a marriage license in Maryland. These include providing Social Security Numbers (although these will not appear on the marriage license) and, in the case of divorce, presenting a copy of the divorce decree. If either party to the marriage has changed their name, a new marriage record can be requested to reflect this.
It is important to note that the marriage license authorizes the marriage but is not proof of marriage. After the marriage ceremony, the couple will receive a marriage certificate, which serves as proof of marriage. This can be obtained from the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court that issued the marriage license.
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Social Security Numbers are mandatory
While there is no mention of weddings being prohibited in Maryland, there are certain requirements that must be met for a marriage to be legal. These include obtaining a marriage license from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage will take place. Same-sex marriage is also legal in Maryland.
Now, regarding the mandatory nature of Social Security Numbers (SSNs) in Maryland, it is essential to understand the broader context of SSNs in the United States. Here are some key points to consider:
The Legal Context of Social Security Numbers in Maryland
Maryland law requires individuals to provide their Social Security Numbers when applying for a marriage license. This requirement is based on State Law, and while the SSN is mandatory, it will not be displayed on the marriage license. This practice is not unique to Maryland, as other states also require SSNs for various legal processes and transactions.
Federal and State Requirements
At the federal level, the Social Security Act (SSA) expressly permits state agencies to use SSNs for identifying individuals in tax-related matters and for administering general public assistance and driver's licenses. The Tax Reform Act further supports this by authorising states to require individuals to disclose their SSNs in certain tax-related contexts.
Privacy Act of 1974
It is worth noting that the Privacy Act of 1974 includes provisions related to SSNs. Section 7 of the Act stipulates that any government agency requesting an individual's SSN must inform them whether the disclosure is mandatory or voluntary and explain the statutory authority for the request and how the information will be used. However, this section has been interpreted and challenged in court cases, with some asserting that it has been superseded by subsequent amendments to the Social Security Act.
In conclusion, while Social Security Numbers are indeed mandatory in certain contexts, such as obtaining a marriage license in Maryland, there are also legal provisions in place to protect the privacy of individuals and ensure that their SSNs are not misused or disclosed unnecessarily.
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Ceremonies can be conducted in Spanish
If you are planning a wedding in Maryland, you will need to obtain a marriage license from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage will take place. This is a requirement for both residents and non-residents of Maryland. The marriage license is what authorizes you to get married, and it is different from the marriage certificate, which proves that you are married. Once the license is issued, it is valid for 6 months, and there is a 48-hour waiting period after the issuance before it becomes effective.
In Maryland, same-sex marriage is legal, and ceremonies can be conducted in Spanish. If you require assistance in Spanish, it is available. The Circuit Court for Somerset County, located at 30512 Prince William Street in Princess Anne, offers civil ceremonies that can be conducted in Spanish for a cost of $25, payable in cash on the day of the ceremony.
To obtain a marriage license, you must visit the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where your marriage will take place or apply by mail if neither party is a resident of that county. The application process usually takes about 15 minutes, and there may be different license fees depending on the county. You will need to provide Social Security Numbers, which are required by state law but will not appear on the marriage license. If either party has been previously married, additional documentation is required, such as a copy of the divorce decree or information about the previous spouse's death.
Remember that if you are a resident of Maryland but getting married in another state or country, you will need to review the laws of that specific jurisdiction. Similarly, if you are a non-resident planning a wedding in Maryland, you may need to provide additional documentation or follow specific procedures, such as submitting a Non-Resident Affidavit.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, weddings are allowed in Maryland. Marriage licenses can be obtained at the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage will take place. Same-sex marriage is also legal in Maryland.
You will need to visit the Circuit Court Clerk's office in the county where your marriage is taking place. Both parties must apply together in person, except in Somerset County where only one of the parties needs to appear. You will also need to provide your Social Security Number, and if you were previously married, a copy of your divorce decree or information about your spouse's death.
A marriage license is valid for 6 months from the date it is issued. However, the license is not effective until 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after it was issued, and you must marry within this 6-month period or the license will be void.
