Maryland Marriage License: Cost and Requirements

License fee

$35–$55 (Md. Code, Fam. Law §2-404)

State law sets a $10 base fee and lets each county add its own surcharge (up to $75 extra in Baltimore City). Baltimore County charges $35; Anne Arundel and Montgomery charge $55.

Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov

Premarital course discount

Yes

Counties may discount the fee for couples who finished a premarital course of at least 4 hours within the past year; each county sets the amount.

Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov

Waiting period

48 hours (2 days)

A license takes effect at 6 a.m. on the second calendar day after it is issued. A circuit court judge can waive this for good cause if one party is a Maryland resident or a service member.

Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov

How long the license is valid

183 days

The ceremony must take place within 6 months after the license becomes effective.

Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov

Minimum age and parental consent

17 with consent; 18 without

No one under 17 may marry. A 17-year-old needs parental consent (or a medical certificate of pregnancy/birth) plus a court order authorizing the marriage.

Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov

What to bring

The applicant gives each party's Social Security number (if they have one) and a government-issued birth certificate or other official document showing age.

Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov

Do both of you have to appear?

No

Only one party needs to appear, bringing ID for the other.

Source: montgomerycountymd.gov

Applying online

No, apply in person

Applications are made at the clerk's office during office hours. Couples who don't live in the county can instead send a sworn affidavit made before a clerk where they live.

Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov

Who can officiate

Officials of a religious order or body authorized by its rules, circuit court clerks and designated deputy clerks, and judges (including federal judges and eligible retired judges).

Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov

Witnesses

None required

Montgomery County says witnesses are not needed for its civil ceremonies.

Source: montgomerycountymd.gov

Out-of-state couples

Out-of-state couples get the license in the county where they will marry, and may apply by sworn affidavit taken where they live.

Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov

Who issues the license

Clerk of the circuit court in the county where the ceremony will take place

You must get the license in the county where you will marry, whether or not you live there.

Source: montgomerycountymd.gov