What information do I need to bring to obtain a marriage license?
How do I change my name after I get married?
Use your new name consistently and have your name changed on all important documents and papers. In some instances, you will be able to take your original marriage license to an agency and they will make copies. Other agencies will require that you obtain a certified copy of the marriage license. A certified copy can be obtained from the Clerk of Circuit Court in the county where the license was issued. The cost for a certified copy is $5.50.
I was married in another state/country. Can I register the marriage here?
A marriage that took place outside of Maryland is considered a "foreign marriage." You may register a foreign marriage with the Clerk of the Circuit Court for a fee. The document must be in English.
Do I have to obtain a license in the county where I live?
You must obtain a license issued by the Clerk for the county in which the ceremony is going to take place. (Family Law 2-401)
I applied for a marriage license. When does the license become effective? Does it expire?
The license becomes effective at 6 a.m. on the second calendar day after the license is issued (generally referred to as a 48 hour waiting period) and the marriage ceremony must take place within 6 months of the effective date.
Are same sex marriages valid to be performed in Maryland?
Yes. Please read the Civil Marriage Protection Act.
Are there certain degrees of relationships that are prohibited from marrying?
Yes. Any marriage performed in this state prohibited by Family Law 2-202 is void. Generally, marriages within 3 degrees of direct lineal consanguinity or within the first degree of collateral consanguinity are prohibited. (Consanguinity is defined as the relationship of persons of the same blood or origin. Direct Lineal Consanguinity is the relationship between persons who are directly descended or ascended from one another. Collateral consanguinity is the relationship between persons who have the same ancestor but do no descend or ascend from one another.)
According to Maryland Annotated Code Family Law 2-202, an individual may not marry the individual's: grandparent, parent, child, sibling, grandchild, grandparent's spouse, spouse's grandparent, parent's sibling, stepparent, spouse's parent, spouse's child, child's spouse, grandchild's spouse, spouse's grandchild or sibling's child.