George Boyle
Planning a wedding in Maryland? Congratulations! There are a few things you'll need to do to ensure your special day goes off without a hitch. First things first: you'll need to obtain a marriage license from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage will take place. The good news is that you don't need to do this too far in advance—in fact, the state of Maryland requires a 48-hour waiting period between the date the license is issued and the date of the wedding ceremony. So, no last-minute cold feet! You'll also need to make sure you have the correct documentation, including IDs and, if relevant, proof of divorce or death of a previous spouse. And don't forget, a marriage license is not the same as a marriage certificate—the former gives you permission to get married, while the latter proves that you are married.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 48 hours |
| Validity of the license | 6 months |
| Application fee | $55 |
| Accepted payment methods | Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, money order, or certified check |
| Application process time | 15 minutes |
| Application requirements | Valid ID, Social Security Number, birth certificate, passport, proof of divorce or death of a prior spouse |
| Non-resident application | Non-Resident Marriage License Application-Affidavit |
| Marriage certificate | Required after the marriage ceremony |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage license vs. marriage certificate
In Maryland, a marriage license must be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage is to take place. The license is valid for six months and must be purchased at least 48 hours before the marriage ceremony. The marriage license is not effective until 6 a.m. on the second day following the issuance.
Now, what is the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate? A marriage license is a legal permit that allows you to get married. It is obtained before the wedding ceremony and proves that you are legally allowed to marry. On the other hand, a marriage certificate is issued after the wedding ceremony and confirms that you did, in fact, marry. It records the date, time, and place of the wedding, and the officiant's name is usually included. Marriage certificates are required for various purposes, such as sharing health benefits, filing taxes, applying for loans or mortgages, and changing your name.
In Maryland, if you need a certified copy of your marriage license or marriage certificate, you can contact the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court that issued the license. For marriage licenses before 1990, you can contact the Maryland Archives, while for licenses from 1990 onwards, you should contact the Maryland Vital Statistics Administration. Additionally, if there are any corrections or changes to be made to the marriage record, a petition may need to be filed with the court, and court fees may apply.
It is important to note that the requirements and processes for obtaining a marriage license and certificate may vary from state to state in the US. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the specific guidelines for the state where you plan to get married.
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Where to get a marriage license
In Maryland, a marriage license must be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage will take place. This applies regardless of the couple's residency. 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.
The marriage license must be purchased at least 48 hours before the marriage ceremony and is valid for six months. The $55 marriage application/license fee may be paid in cash, money order, or Visa/Mastercard (credit cards can only be used when visiting the court in person). Personal checks and American Express are not accepted, and there are no refunds.
If it is not convenient for you to visit the Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage will take place, you may apply using a Non-Resident Marriage License Application-Affidavit. This form can be obtained from either your county or the county in which you plan to marry. The form must be sworn to under oath and signed before a Clerk of the Court or a comparable official where the applicants reside. Mail this form along with a $55 money order payable to the "Clerk of the Court" to the License Department.
If you wish to hold your ceremony at the courthouse, contact the License Department by phone or in person. You must obtain your marriage license before scheduling a ceremony. The fee for the ceremony is $25 in cash or by money order.
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Who can apply for a marriage license
In Maryland, a marriage license must be obtained from the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court in the county 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 only one person needs to be present when applying.
If the couple does not live in the county where the marriage will take place, the clerk must accept an affidavit (a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation) instead of an application. This must be sworn under oath by a clerk or other official in the county where the couple lives. Alternatively, a Non-Resident Marriage License Application-Affidavit can be obtained from the county where the couple resides or the county where they plan to marry.
If the couple is unable to appear in person to apply, they may apply for a marriage license using a Non-Resident Marriage Application. This form must be signed before a Clerk of the Court or comparable official where the applicants reside, and mailed with a $55 money order payable to the "Clerk of the Court."
In Maryland, individuals under the age of 17 cannot marry, and individuals who are 17 may only marry if they can provide a certified copy of an Order that grants authorization to the Clerk of the Circuit Court to perform a marriage ceremony. To obtain this Order, the individual must petition the court in the county they live in.
To obtain a marriage license, applicants must present a valid ID. If either party has been married before, the clerk must be informed of the date, month, and year of the divorce or death of the previous spouse, as well as the county and state in which the divorce was granted or the death occurred. Additionally, a Social Security Number for each party is required by law, although it will not appear on the marriage license.
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How long is a marriage license valid for
In Maryland, a marriage license is valid for six months from the date it is issued. The license is not effective until 6 a.m. on the second day following the day that the license was issued. This means that there is a 48-hour waiting period from the time the license is issued before the marriage ceremony can take place.
The marriage license must be purchased at least 48 hours before the marriage ceremony and only one person has to be present to apply for a marriage license. However, they must show a valid ID for the other person if they are not present at the time of application. The $55 marriage application/license fee may be paid in cash, money order, or Visa/Mastercard (credit cards can only be used when visiting the court in person). Personal checks and American Express are not accepted, and there are no refunds.
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What to do after the wedding ceremony
In Maryland, a marriage license must be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage is to take place at least 48 hours before the marriage ceremony. The license is then valid for six months.
Now, onto the fun part: what to do after the wedding ceremony!
Check the Venue and Rental Items for Damages
In the midst of all the fun, there's a chance that something in the venue or something that you rented was damaged. Check the venue facility and all rental items to see if anything was broken, stained, or ruined. If there is anything that looks questionable, bring it up to the appropriate staff members so that you are all on the same page about these damages and aren't hit with a surprise bill later on. If this task turns out to be too big to do immediately following your reception, you can always stop by the next day to investigate.
Collect All Left-Behind Items
With everyone enjoying themselves at the festivities, it's common for items to be left behind. Collect all of these items in a lost and found box so that you can return them to their rightful owners.
Thank Your Vendors
Your wedding vendors worked hard to make your dream wedding come true. Even if you've already settled the contracts and gratuities, it's always a nice gesture to personally thank each of your vendors, especially if they did an outstanding job.
Deal with Leftover Food and Decor
Finger foods, alcohol, centerpieces, and decor—there are bound to be a ton of leftover items after the reception comes to an end. Depending on what you want to do with your centerpieces and decor, you can either pack them up to take home or let your guests know that they're up for grabs. If there are plenty of leftover snacks and food, ask your caterer to pack them up for you in a to-go box so that you can either bring them with you to your after-party or keep them for a late-night snack.
Wrap Up the Top Tier of Your Wedding Cake
If you want to follow the common wedding tradition of freezing the top tier of your wedding cake and eating it on your first wedding anniversary, assign someone to wrap up your cake properly and put it in the freezer. Remember to remove any decorations that would make it tough to wrap and to use plenty of plastic wrap and foil so your cake will taste fresh and delicious on your anniversary.
Collect Your Guest Book
Whether you chose to use a traditional wedding guest book or a unique alternative, it's important to collect the guest book to take home. This task can be easily delegated to someone responsible, such as your maid of honor, best man, or parents. Once you get back from your honeymoon, you and your spouse can read all of the signatures and messages together as a married couple.
Request a New Marriage Record (If Necessary)
If either party to a marriage changes their name, you can request a new marriage record to reflect the name change. The request must be submitted in writing, and once the name change has been verified, the court clerk will issue a new marriage record.
Get Certified Copies of Your Marriage License or Marriage Certificate
Contact the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court that issued the marriage license to get certified copies of your marriage license or marriage certificate. You will need these certified copies as legal proof of your marriage for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), Social Security Administration, etc.
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Frequently asked questions
In Maryland, there is a required 48-hour waiting period between the date a marriage license is issued and the date of the wedding ceremony. The license is valid for six months from the date of issuance.
You can obtain a marriage license from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage is to take place. If you are unable to apply in person, you may apply using a Non-Resident Marriage License Application-Affidavit. The license fee is $55.
Aside from the application form, each person will need to present a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license, birth certificate, or passport. Social Security Numbers are also required by law, although they will not be displayed on the marriage license. If either party was previously married, documentation proving death or divorce must be provided.
