How To Officiate A Wedding In Maryland?
The information below pertains to marriage license information for marriages taking place in CALVERT COUNTY ONLY. There are 24 jurisdictions in Maryland. You MUST contact the County/City Court in the location where you plan to marry for marriage license information.
How to apply Application may be made Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court. If it is not convenient to visit the Clerk’s Office in the county where the marriage is to take place, you may apply for a license using a Non-Resident Affidavit form. This form must be taken to the Clerk of the Circuit Court or comparable official where you reside.
A “comparable official” would be the public official in the State, County, or Province where you reside who issues marriage licenses or performs the same duties as the Clerk of Circuit Court in Maryland. A notary public’s affidavit is not sufficient, since that official, although a public officer, does not perform the same duties and is not comparable to a Clerk of Court in Maryland.
- Full name
- Place of residence
- Age
- State or Country of birth
- Whether or not the parties are related by blood or marriage, and if so, to what degree of the relationship
- Marital Status: Single (never married), Divorced or Widowed
- The date and place of EACH death or judicial determination that ended any former marriage(bring divorce decrees or court orders from ALL previous marriages)
- Social Security Number
- Photo ID is required for those applying in person
- You must obtain your license from the county where the marriage will take place.
The marriage license will be issued at the time of application. The license may not be used prior to the effective date, which is 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar date after issuance. The license must be used within 6 months of the effective date. Replacement licenses may be obtained, during the 6 month period the original license is valid, for a fee of $10.00.
Applicants under the age of 18, see guidelines, Memo from Kathy P. Smith to the couple Memo from Kathy P. Smith to the minister Certified Copies of your marriage license can be obtained from our office by requesting them in writing or in person. We can only provide copies of licenses for marriages that took place in Calvert County.
There is a $5.50 fee per copy. You may use our Request for Certified Copy of Marriage License form for your convenience. Please note, the form is not required. Simply provide us with the names of both parties (at time of application) and the date of marriage.
- Make checks payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- Our mailing address is: 175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.
- We can only provide copies of licenses originally issued in Calvert County.
- Civil Ceremonies are performed Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.
- To 4:00 p.m.
- At the Calvert County Courthouse.
The fee is $25.00, paid by either cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa and Mastercard) immediately prior to the ceremony. Appointments for civil ceremonies may be made by calling the Clerk’s office at 410-535-1600 ext.2269 or 301-855-1243 ext.2269 during business hours.
- Ceremonies are performed in space available.
- Courtrooms may not be scheduled in advance.
- Many beautiful weddings have taken place on the Courthouse lawn, weather permitted.
- Ceremonies can be performed by an official of a religious order (such as an ordained minister), the Clerk of the Circuit Court, a deputy clerk designated by the county administrative circuit court judge, a judge.
See Family Law 2-406 for further detail. Maryland does not require celebrants to register with the state. However, it is crucial that the celebrant properly complete the license form and return it to our office within 5 days of performing the ceremony.
- it is the intent of both parties to be married
- a ceremony must take place where both parties are present
- the ceremony must be presided over by a celebrant who has apparent authority to perform it
- the marriage does not violate the laws or public policy of the State
- the officiant will need to complete and sign both originals of the marriage certificate, giving one to the married couple and, within 5 days after the ceremony, return the other to the office of the clerk that issued the license.
Correction to Marriage Records may be requested in writing (along with supporting documentation, for example: birth certificate to prove your name is spelled differently than what is shown on your marriage record). You may, for your convenience, use our Correction Request form,
- Names of both Parites (as it appears on your license)
- Marriage License Number
- Date of Marriage
- Daytime Telephone Number
- Information to be corrected along with supporting documentation
*Important – you must be a party to the record to request a correction. There is a $10 fee for duplicate licenses and an additional $5.50 fee for any certified copies you may require. Fees – paid by cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa and Mastercard) Marriage License: $55 Civil Ceremony: $25 Duplicate License (replacement license prior to marriage): $10 Certified License (replacement license after marriage): $5.50
Contents
Do you have to be ordained to officiate a wedding in Maryland?
What is the minimum age allowed for a wedding officiant in Maryland? – In Maryland all wedding officiants must be at least 18 years old to be able to legally solemnize marriage. Basically, in addition to being an ordained minister, you must also be a legal adult.
Can Maryland notary officiate a wedding?
Notary publics can provide services in the state that they are licensed in. They can complete your wedding documentation, and if they are licensed, they can also officiate your wedding. However, a licensed notary cannot marry couples who are from another state. They also can’t go out of the state to perform a wedding.
Who can marry couples in Maryland?
The information below pertains to marriage license information for marriages taking place in CALVERT COUNTY ONLY. There are 24 jurisdictions in Maryland. You MUST contact the County/City Court in the location where you plan to marry for marriage license information.
How to apply Application may be made Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court. If it is not convenient to visit the Clerk’s Office in the county where the marriage is to take place, you may apply for a license using a Non-Resident Affidavit form. This form must be taken to the Clerk of the Circuit Court or comparable official where you reside.
A “comparable official” would be the public official in the State, County, or Province where you reside who issues marriage licenses or performs the same duties as the Clerk of Circuit Court in Maryland. A notary public’s affidavit is not sufficient, since that official, although a public officer, does not perform the same duties and is not comparable to a Clerk of Court in Maryland.
- Full name
- Place of residence
- Age
- State or Country of birth
- Whether or not the parties are related by blood or marriage, and if so, to what degree of the relationship
- Marital Status: Single (never married), Divorced or Widowed
- The date and place of EACH death or judicial determination that ended any former marriage(bring divorce decrees or court orders from ALL previous marriages)
- Social Security Number
- Photo ID is required for those applying in person
- You must obtain your license from the county where the marriage will take place.
The marriage license will be issued at the time of application. The license may not be used prior to the effective date, which is 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar date after issuance. The license must be used within 6 months of the effective date. Replacement licenses may be obtained, during the 6 month period the original license is valid, for a fee of $10.00.
- Applicants under the age of 18, see guidelines,
- Memo from Kathy P.
- Smith to the couple Memo from Kathy P.
- Smith to the minister Certified Copies of your marriage license can be obtained from our office by requesting them in writing or in person.
- We can only provide copies of licenses for marriages that took place in Calvert County.
There is a $5.50 fee per copy. You may use our Request for Certified Copy of Marriage License form for your convenience. Please note, the form is not required. Simply provide us with the names of both parties (at time of application) and the date of marriage.
- Make checks payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- Our mailing address is: 175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.
- We can only provide copies of licenses originally issued in Calvert County.
- Civil Ceremonies are performed Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.
- To 4:00 p.m.
- At the Calvert County Courthouse.
The fee is $25.00, paid by either cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa and Mastercard) immediately prior to the ceremony. Appointments for civil ceremonies may be made by calling the Clerk’s office at 410-535-1600 ext.2269 or 301-855-1243 ext.2269 during business hours.
Ceremonies are performed in space available. Courtrooms may not be scheduled in advance. Many beautiful weddings have taken place on the Courthouse lawn, weather permitted. Ceremonies can be performed by an official of a religious order (such as an ordained minister), the Clerk of the Circuit Court, a deputy clerk designated by the county administrative circuit court judge, a judge.
See Family Law 2-406 for further detail. Maryland does not require celebrants to register with the state. However, it is crucial that the celebrant properly complete the license form and return it to our office within 5 days of performing the ceremony.
- it is the intent of both parties to be married
- a ceremony must take place where both parties are present
- the ceremony must be presided over by a celebrant who has apparent authority to perform it
- the marriage does not violate the laws or public policy of the State
- the officiant will need to complete and sign both originals of the marriage certificate, giving one to the married couple and, within 5 days after the ceremony, return the other to the office of the clerk that issued the license.
Correction to Marriage Records may be requested in writing (along with supporting documentation, for example: birth certificate to prove your name is spelled differently than what is shown on your marriage record). You may, for your convenience, use our Correction Request form,
- Names of both Parites (as it appears on your license)
- Marriage License Number
- Date of Marriage
- Daytime Telephone Number
- Information to be corrected along with supporting documentation
*Important – you must be a party to the record to request a correction. There is a $10 fee for duplicate licenses and an additional $5.50 fee for any certified copies you may require. Fees – paid by cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa and Mastercard) Marriage License: $55 Civil Ceremony: $25 Duplicate License (replacement license prior to marriage): $10 Certified License (replacement license after marriage): $5.50
What constitutes a legal marriage in Maryland?
Applying for a Marriage License – A marriage license is what authorizes you to get married. Maryland law requires a marriage license from the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court where the marriage will take place. Once the license is issued, it is valid for 6 months from the date the license is issued.
Where? A marriage license must be obtained from the clerk of Circuit Court for the county, or Baltimore City, where the marriage will be performed, regardless of the residency of the couple. For example, if you are residents of Anne Arundel County, but are getting married in Montgomery County, you will need to obtain a marriage license from the Clerk of Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Who? Either party may apply for a license in person at the clerk’s office. What to prepare?
Each party’s full name Each party’s place of residence Each party’s birth date/age Social Security Number for each party that has a one (note that while the Social Security Number is required by law, it will not appear on the marriage license) If either party has been married previously, the clerk must be told the date (day, month, year) and place of the former spouse’s death or of any annulment or divorce decree. Fee (The amount may vary by county.)
If you have any questions, contact the License Department or Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage will be performed. A directory of courts is available on the Maryland Courts website. If the parties are not living in the county where the marriage ceremony is to take place, the clerk must accept an affidavit (written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation) instead of an application, from one of the parties to be married, with the same information required by the application, and sworn under oath by a clerk or other official in the county where the party lives.
Maryland has no legal requirement for a blood test or other medical examination. Read the Law: Md. Code, Family Law §§ 2-401 thru 2-410 Waiting Period? The marriage license is not effective until 6 a.m. on the second day following the day that the license was issued. During the waiting period, no marriage ceremony may be held unless special permission is given by a judge (usually for reasons of military service or pregnancy).
Depending on the county, the marriage license fee may be discounted if the couple getting married completes a premarital preparation course. The course must meet certain requirements and be completed within one year before the marriage license application date.
Is religious marriage legal in Maryland?
Marriage ceremonies in Maryland can be performed by: Religious officials and others authorized to perform a religious marriage ceremony.
Are witnesses required for marriage in Maryland?
Waiting Period – After application, the license, which is not effective until 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day, will be issued. (i.e.48 hour waiting period) The license must be used within 6 months (you must marry within 6 months or the license will be void).
Only one of the parties needs to appear to apply for the marriage license (unless using a Non-Resident Marriage Application to marry outside of Somerset County, then both parties must appear). Both parties must be over 18 years of age. Forms of identification for each person: driver’s license, birth certificate or a passport (Applicants 17 and younger are required to call the License Department prior to applying.) The fee is $25.00 – CASH only Neither a blood test nor witnesses are required in Maryland.
How much should I charge someone to marry me?
What Is The Average Cost Of Wedding Officiant? – Depending on the type of wedding, the officiant can be secular, like a justice of the peace, or judge. He can also be a religious figure, like a minister, priest or rabbi. If you are wondering how much do wedding officiants cost for your,
How many people can come to a courthouse wedding in Maryland?
Civil Marriage Ceremonies – Civil Ceremonies are offered on a limited basis by appointment only. Ceremony times will be offered Monday through Friday and alternating Wednesday evenings. Please contact the licensing office for availability.
Valid identification for both parties to be married is required (driver’s license, state issued id or passport) providing full names, addresses and ages. Civil ceremonies are performed at the Ceremonial Room located at 7 W. Courtland Street, Bel Air, Maryland (across from the Circuit courthouse). There is a $25.00 non-refundable fee, payable by Visa, Mastercard or Discover only, at the time of the ceremony. Ceremonies must be scheduled in advance after application is made. Guest limit of eight is strictly enforced, This number of guests includes the parties getting married and any children (regardless of age). Any additional guests will not be admitted.,
How much does a wedding planner cost in Maryland?
How much does it cost for a wedding planner? – Wedding planning is a full-time job — unless you hire a professional to handle the hard work for you. The cost for a wedding planner will depend on the level of service you desire. The least expensive wedding planner option is day-of coordination, then partial service, then full-service.
Day-of-wedding coordination: $800-$1,700. Day-of services can include the planner finalizing all details, creating a timeline, confirming vendors and overseeing all setup, day-of activities, and cleanup. The couple does all the front-end planning and contracts all the vendors. Time commitment could be about 15-25 hours, depending on pricing. Partial service: $1,500-$3,800. Here the planner works with the couple from the beginning, helping contract vendors, creating a timeline, and overseeing all details of day-of execution. Time commitment could be about 30-60 hours, depending on package and pricing. Full service: $3,500-$8,000 or more. Here the professional handles all wedding and planning details including working on design, securing rentals, getting the venue and vendors, and handling complete execution of the event. Time commitment could be 50-150 hours or more, depending on package and pricing. Consulting: $50-$150 per hour for design, vendor, reception and other wedding planning consultation.
Is religious marriage legal in Maryland?
Marriage ceremonies in Maryland can be performed by: Religious officials and others authorized to perform a religious marriage ceremony.