Lyla Dejesus
If you're planning a wedding in Maryland, there are a few legal requirements you'll need to meet. Firstly, you must obtain a marriage license from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage will take place. This applies to both residents and non-residents of Maryland. The license is typically valid for six months from the date of issue, and there is a fee of $50 for the application. Once you have the license, you're authorized to get married in Maryland, and you can choose from a variety of officials to solemnize the wedding, including religious officials, civil officials, and online-ordained ministers. Maryland does not require any witnesses to the wedding ceremony, but both spouses and the officiant must be physically present, and each spouse must formally declare their consent to be married. After the ceremony, the officiant is responsible for returning the completed marriage certificate and license to the issuing office within five days to avoid a fine. So, while there's some flexibility in how you plan your wedding ceremony in Maryland, there are a few key legal steps to keep in mind to ensure your marriage is officially recognized.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | Required from the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court where the marriage will take place |
| Marriage certificate | Attached to the marriage license; must be returned to the issuing office within five days after the ceremony |
| Validity of the license | Effective from 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after issuance; valid for six months |
| Residency | Not required |
| Minimum age | 18 or 16 with guardian consent |
| Minimum age of witnesses | N/A |
| Number of witnesses | None required |
| Couple's consent | Required |
| Pronouncement | Required |
| Marriage by proxy | Not allowed |
| Officiants | Clerks and their deputies, judges, ministers ordained online or by religious bodies, and civil officials |
| Registration of officiants | Not required |
| Marriage of close family members | Not allowed |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage licenses and certificates
Firstly, it is important to distinguish between a marriage license and a marriage certificate. A marriage license is what authorises you to get married. In Maryland, a marriage license must be obtained from the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court where the marriage will take place, regardless of the couple's residency. Either member of the couple may apply for the license in person, and it is valid for six months from the date of issue. It is recommended to contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in advance, as each county may have different fees and requirements. For example, a Social Security Number is required by law, but it will not appear on the marriage license.
On the other hand, a marriage certificate is what proves that you are married. In Maryland, the marriage certificate is typically attached to the marriage license. After the wedding ceremony, the officiant has the responsibility to return the original license and the completed certificate to the same county clerk within five days. The marriage certificate is then recorded in the county or city records.
If you are a resident of Maryland but plan to get married in another state or country, it is important to review the laws of that jurisdiction. You may still be able to record your out-of-state or out-of-country marriage in Maryland by contacting your county's license department or Clerk's Office.
It is worth noting that Maryland has specific laws regarding who can solemnize weddings in the state. Maryland allows a number of officials to perform weddings, including civil officials such as clerks, their deputies, and judges, as well as religious officials authorised by a religious body. Online-ordained ministers are also recognised in Maryland and can officiate weddings without registering with any government office. However, Maryland law prohibits marriages between close family members, and there are criminal penalties for those who enter into or solemnize such unions.
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Who can officiate
In Maryland, a number of officials are allowed to solemnize weddings, including those authorized by religious bodies and their customs. Civil officials who can perform weddings in Maryland include clerks and their deputies, as well as judges. However, anyone who solemnizes a wedding in Maryland must be at least 18 years old.
Maryland does not require wedding officiants to register with any government office. However, officiants must be ordained ministers to be able to legally perform marriages. Local regulations in Maryland stipulate that wedding officiants designated as "Ministers" be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries. While registration is not required, it is advisable to keep records of official Ministry Credentials, as proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.
To obtain the necessary credentials, you can order a Maryland Minister Ordination Package, which includes an Ordination Certificate and a Letter of Good Standing. The latter is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarized.
Additionally, when officiating a wedding in Maryland, there are a few key points to keep in mind:
- Marriage by proxy is not allowed.
- The minister must be physically present for the entire ceremony.
- There is no requirement for witnesses, but both partners must be physically present and formally declare their consent to be married.
- The marriage certificate must be returned to the issuing office within five days after the ceremony.
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Marriage by proxy
In Maryland, a marriage license is what authorises you to get married. This license must be obtained from the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court where the marriage will take place, regardless of the couple's residency. The license is valid for six months from the date it is issued.
Maryland law allows a number of officials to solemnise weddings in the state, including civil officials such as clerks and their deputies, as well as judges. Religious officials authorised by a religious body according to its rules and customs can also solemnise weddings. While there is no legal requirement for officiants to register with any government office, they must be at least 18 years old.
To avoid any administrative issues, it is important to follow the correct procedures for marriage in Maryland. Couples must be at least 18 years old, and marriages between close family members are prohibited. If either party has been married before, the date and place of the former spouse's death or annulment must be disclosed.
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Requirements for officiants
Maryland allows a number of officials to solemnize weddings in the state, including an official authorized by a religious body according to its rules and customs. Civil officials who can perform weddings in Maryland include clerks and their deputies, as well as judges. However, anyone who solemnizes a wedding in Maryland must be at least 18 years old according to state law.
Maryland does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. However, officiants must be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries, and it is recommended that they keep personal records of their official ministry credentials.
To officiate a wedding in Maryland, the officiant must be physically present at the ceremony and ensure that both parties are also physically present. The officiant must also ensure that the couple has obtained a marriage license from the clerk's office of the circuit court in the county where the marriage will take place. The marriage license must be returned to the issuing office within five days of the ceremony, along with a completed marriage certificate.
It is important to note that Maryland law prohibits marriages between close family members, including parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Criminal penalties are imposed not only on those who enter into such unions but also on the officiants who solemnize them.
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Marriage laws
Maryland has various laws in place that determine the legality of a wedding. A marriage license is required from the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court where the marriage will take place. This license is what authorises the marriage and is valid for six months from the date of issue. It is important to note that the marriage license is not the same as the marriage certificate; the latter proves that the marriage has taken place. The marriage certificate must be returned to the issuing office within five days of the ceremony.
There are no laws in Maryland that require officiants to register with any government office. However, Maryland law does specify who can solemnize a marriage, including all ministers, civil officials such as clerks and judges, and online ordained ministers of American Marriage Ministries. The officiant must be at least 18 years old, but their gender and residence do not affect their qualification. The couple must be physically present for the ceremony, along with the officiant, and they must formally declare their consent to be married.
Maryland does not require witnesses to the wedding ceremony, and there are no residency requirements for the couple. However, the marriage must take place in the county where the license was issued, and the couple must be at least 18 years old, or 16 with guardian consent. Same-sex marriage is legal in Maryland, but marriages between close family members are prohibited and carry criminal penalties.
For those wishing to marry in a courthouse, a judge or clerk of the Circuit Court may perform the civil ceremony. The hours, location, and fees for this vary across counties.
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Frequently asked questions
No, residency is not required to obtain a marriage license or get married in Maryland.
A marriage license must be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage will take place. The license is valid for six months from the date of issuance, and the marriage ceremony must take place within this period. After the ceremony, the marriage certificate must be returned to the issuing office within five days.
Maryland allows a number of officials to solemnize weddings, including religious officials, judges, clerks, and their deputies. There is no requirement for officiants to register with the state, but they must be at least 18 years old.
