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How do I get a marriage license?
Maryland requires that a marriage
license be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county
where the marriage is to take place. If, however, it is not convenient
for you to visit the Clerk's Office in that county, you may apply using
a Non-Resident Affidavit. The Non-Resident
Affidavit for Queen Anne's County is available in PDF (portable
document format). In order to view PDF files, you may need to download
the free Adobe
Acrobat Reader software. You can also obtain the form from
your county or from the county in which you plan to marry. Call the Clerk's
Office for more information.
It is recommended that you contact
the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county you plan to marry
as each county has different fees. The requirements for Queen Anne's County
are as follows:
- Only one of the parties needs
to appear (If not using a non-resident affidavit)
- The fee is $35.00, payable by
cash or check.
The following information is to be provided
for the Bride and the Groom:
Full names
Ages
States of birth
Addresses (including County)
Social Security Numbers (mandatory)
If previously married:
if divorced - the day, month
and year of the divorce, and the county and state in which the divorce
was granted.
if widowed - the day, month
and year of the death, and the county and state in which the death
occurred.
The license is issued at the same time
the application is taken; however, the license will reflect an effective
date of forty-eight hours from the date of issue. The marriage must take
place within six months of the effective date.
You will be given three copies of
the marriage license, which the official performing the ceremony will
complete. Instructions for completion and distribution are on the copies
of the license. If you would like a civil ceremony, please note that there
are no justices of the peace in Maryland. Only a judge, the Clerk of the
Circuit Court or an appointed, designated Deputy Clerk of the Circuit
Court may perform civil ceremonies. In Queen Anne's County, the Clerk
and his designated deputies perform civil ceremonies only at the courthouse
and only between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Appointments
are required. The cost for a civil ceremony is $25, payable by cash or
check.
Certified copies of the marriage can
be obtained once the return has been received by the Clerk's Office from
the official for a fee of $5 each, payable by cash or check. You may need
a certified copy in order to change the bride's last name officially for
various agencies. |
