Marriage License Information

NOTE: The following items are prohibited in the courthouse: cameras, camera phones, tape recorders, guns, scissors, pepper spray, knives

Civil Ceremonies
Certified Copies
Marriage Application Worksheet
Non-Resident Marriage Affidavit

• If you apply in Harford County you must be married in Harford County.
• Only one person needs to apply (bride or groom).
• There is a $40 non-refundable fee. Check or money order only.
• A license is not effective until 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after the license is issued.
• The license is issued the same day you apply, and it is valid for 6 months (you must be married within 6 months or the license will be void).

Information you will need to apply:
You may want to complete the marriage application work sheet and bring it with you when you apply for the license.

• Identification (age 21 and younger) (driver's license or birth certificate or passport) providing:
  °Full names
  °Addresses
  °Age
  
• Other information needed:
  °State of Birth
  °Social Security Number (mandatory)
  °If you have ever been married before, we need to know the State and the year for the last divorce or death of spouse. If divorced within the last 6 months, a copy of the divorce decree should be presented.

• 16 or 17 years old must present either a notarized written consent of the parent or legal guardian, or a certificate from a licensed physician. Certification from the physician must be written on his/her letterhead stating that the physician has physically examined the woman to be married and positively determined that she is pregnant or has given birth to a child. The certificate must be signed by the licensed physician. A nurse or assistant cannot sign the certificate. A birth certificate stating that the bride has given birth to a child is sufficient.
• 15 years old must have the a notarized written consent of the parent or legal guardian and a certificate from a licensed physician. Certification from the physician must be written on his/her letterhead stating that the physician has physically examined the woman to be married and positively determined that she is pregnant or has given birth to a child. The certificate must be signed by the licensed physician. A nurse or assistant cannot sign the certificate. A birth certificate stating that the bride has given birth to a child is sufficient.
• 14 years and younger may not marry.

If you are not a resident of Harford County, and it is not convenient for you to visit the Office of the Clerk, you may apply using a Non-Resident Application. The Non-Resident Marriage Application is available in fillable PDF (right-click on the link to save the form to your PC).

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Civil Ceremonies

• Civil Ceremonies are performed at the Circuit Court for Harford County.
• There is a $25.00 non-refundable fee, paid by check or money order only before or at the time of the ceremony.
• Ceremonies must be scheduled in advance. Ceremonies will be performed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. To schedule a civil ceremony at the courthouse, please call 410-638-3244.
• The Clerk of the Circuit Court will also perform marriages off premises. To schedule the Clerk of Court to perform a marriage ceremony off premises, please call 410-838-4952.

Certified copies may be obtained from the Marriage License Department. You may also request a certified copy by mail. For your convenience, you may complete the Application for Certified Copy of Marriage License and mail it to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 20 W. Courtland Street, Bel Air, MD 21014. Please include in your request:

• Names
• Date of Marriage
• A check or money order for $5.00 for the first certified copy and $1.00 for each additional copy, payable to the Clerk of the Court.

For further information on obtaining a marriage license or questions about civil ceremonies, please call 410-638-3244.

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