George Boyle
As of June 2020, Maryland has allowed large weddings and celebrations as part of Stage 2 of the Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery. This means that indoor dining and outdoor recreational establishments are permitted, with venues able to host at 50% occupancy. However, it is important to note that individual jurisdictions may implement their own restrictions, so it is recommended to contact the specific venue for details. While there is no specific gathering limit, event hosts are advised to follow CDC recommendations. In addition, Maryland does not require witnesses to the wedding ceremony, but both parties must be physically present, along with the officiant.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding restrictions | Maryland has fully reopened, allowing large weddings and celebrations. |
| Wedding venue capacity | Venues can host at 50% capacity based on their fire code certificate. |
| Face masks | Face masks are required for staff at events with food services. Venues may require guests above the age of two to wear face masks. |
| Wedding license | A marriage license must be obtained from the clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage will take place. |
| Marriage eligibility | Both parties must be at least 18 years old or meet the requirements for minors. |
| Application process | At least one party must appear in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in the county where the marriage will take place. |
| Required documents | Photo ID, full name, age, state of birth, address, and Social Security Number. If either party was previously married, they must provide the exact date and location of the marriage's end. |
| Waiting period | There is a two-day waiting period to marry in Maryland after obtaining a marriage license. |
| License validity | The license is valid for six months from the date of issuance and must be used within the same county it was issued. |
| Officiants | The wedding can be officiated by an official of a religious order, a clerk of the Circuit Court, a deputy clerk, or a judge. |
| Online weddings | Online weddings are not allowed in Maryland. |
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What You'll Learn
Maryland has no legal requirement for a blood test or medical exam
Maryland has lifted all Covid-related restrictions, and weddings can now take place in the state. However, some counties may still require mask mandates in indoor public facilities.
No Blood Test or Medical Exam Requirement in Maryland
Maryland does not require couples to undergo a blood test or medical examination before getting married. While some states require applicants for marriage licenses to read a brochure about inherited and sexually transmitted diseases, Maryland does not.
In the US, almost all states have dropped any blood-test requirements before marriage. The only exception is New York, which requires that Black and Latino applicants take a blood test for sickle cell anemia. However, the results of the test do not affect anyone's ability to get married.
In Maryland, the only requirement for a medical certificate is if one of the parties to be married is pregnant or has given birth. In this case, the clerk may require a certificate from a licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner stating that the woman to be married has been examined and is pregnant or has given birth.
To get married in Maryland, couples must apply for a marriage license in person at the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court where the marriage will take place. The license is valid for six months from the date of issue, and the marriage can only be solemnized if both parties are physically present, along with the officiant.
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Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court
Maryland has fully reopened, meaning weddings are allowed to take place. However, some counties may still require mask mandates in indoor public facilities.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerks Office of the Circuit Court
The marriage license fee is $55, although in Garrett County it is $40. Accepted methods of payment vary, but may include cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, money order, or certified check. The marriage license is valid for six months from the date of issuance, and there is a two-day waiting period before the license is valid.
To obtain a marriage license, either party may apply in person at the clerk's office. Only one applicant is required to be present, but they must provide information for both spouses. This includes a Social Security Number, although you do not need to have your card with you. If you are 25 or younger, you will need to provide identification in the form of a driver's license or birth certificate. If either party has been married before, you will need to show your divorce decree and/or have information regarding the date, county, and state of death of your previous spouse.
If it is not convenient 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, which you can obtain from either your county or the county in which you plan to marry. If the parties are not living in the county where the marriage will take place, the clerk must accept an affidavit instead of an application.
Once the marriage has taken place, the officiant must fill out the marriage certificate and return it to the clerk's office that issued it within five days after the wedding or before the license expires in six months. The minister must fill out two copies of the marriage certificate: one for the clerk's office, and one for the newly married couple.
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Both parties must be physically present for the ceremony
Maryland has fully reopened, and weddings are allowed to take place. However, some counties may still have mask mandates in indoor public facilities. It is important to note that online weddings are not allowed in Maryland. Both parties must be physically present for the ceremony, along with the officiant. This is a requirement for a valid marriage in the state.
To be legally married in Maryland, a marriage license must be obtained from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage will take place. This can be done by either party to the marriage, and the license is valid for six months from the date of issue. The marriage ceremony must be held in the same county where the license was issued. The license must be signed by both parties and the officiant following the ceremony.
The officiant, who conducts the ceremony and signs the marriage license, must fill out and return two copies of the marriage certificate to the clerk's office within five days of the wedding. One copy is kept by the clerk, and the other is returned to the newly married couple.
Maryland has no specific gathering limits for weddings, but venues are advised to operate at 50% capacity, and CDC recommendations should be followed. Face masks may be required for guests, depending on the venue.
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Online weddings are not allowed in Maryland
Maryland has lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions, including capacity limits for indoor dining and outdoor recreational establishments. This means weddings can take place in Maryland, but there are still some rules in place.
The officiant must be at least 18 years old and can be a civil official, such as a clerk or a judge, or a religious official, such as an ordained minister. The officiant must fill out and sign the marriage certificate, and return it to the clerk's office within five days to avoid a fine.
Couples must apply for a marriage license in person at the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court where the marriage will take place. The license is valid for six months and the ceremony must be held in the same county in which it was issued. The license must be signed by both parties and the officiant following the ceremony.
Some counties in Maryland may still have mask mandates in indoor public facilities, so it is important to plan accordingly.
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Marriage licenses are valid for 6 months from the date of issue
In Maryland, a marriage license is what authorises you to get married. A marriage certificate, on the other hand, proves that you are married.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage will take place. The license is issued at the time of application and is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. It is important to note that the license cannot be used before 6:00 am on the second calendar day after issuance. This is known as the effective date, and the license must be used within 6 months of this date.
The marriage license must be signed by both parties to the marriage and the marriage officiant following the ceremony. The officiant, who conducts the ceremony, must fill out and sign both originals of the marriage certificate. One copy of the marriage certificate is returned to the married couple, while the other is returned to the County Clerk's Office within 5 days of the ceremony.
The procedures for obtaining a marriage license may vary depending on the county, so it is recommended to contact the Clerk's Office for specific local requirements. For example, in Calvert County, a license fee of $55 is collected at the time of application, and certified copies of the marriage license can be obtained for a fee of $5.50 per copy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, weddings are allowed in Maryland. However, some counties may still require mask mandates in public indoor facilities.
Both parties must be at least 18 years old or meet the requirements of minors. At least one party must appear in person at the office of the Circuit Court Clerk in the county in which the ceremony will take place. Photo ID and personal information, including full name, age, state of birth, address, and social security number, are required.
There is no specific gathering limit, but venues (including religious facilities) can host at 50% occupancy based on their fire code certificate.
Face masks are required for all staff at events at food service establishments, and any venue may require guests (over the age of two) to wear face masks. It is recommended that event hosts adhere to the CDC guidelines.
Online weddings are not allowed in Maryland. However, you can livestream the wedding ceremony using platforms such as Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facebook Live, and Instagram Live.
