Maryland State Marriage Laws 

Couples planning to tie the knot in Maryland, also known as The Old Line State, must be at least 18 years of age and must provide a social security number, driver’s license and birth certificate when applying for a marriage license.  Only one applicant is required to be present at the time an application is submitted, but the one present must be able to provide the required information for both parties.  Neither blood nor medical tests are required, but the state of Maryland does enforce a 48-hour waiting period.  If either of the intended were previously married, a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate must be provided. 

Individuals who are under the age of 18 and wish to be married in the state of Maryland must have parental consent.  Anyone between the ages of 16 and 17 must have one of the parents or guardian(s) present for the purpose of providing written consent to the marriage.  The only exception to this rule is if the couple has a child or the bride is pregnant and can show proof from a licensed physician, which may result in the requirement of parental consent being waived.  Anyone who is 15 years of age and wishes to marry must have both written consent from a parent or guardian and a physician’s certificate confirming that the female is pregnant or has already given birth to a child.  The state of Maryland does not permit those under the age of 15 to be married.    

The state of Maryland does not have any residential requirements, which means you can exchange vows even if you are not a resident of the state.  Vacationers, former residents and all others are free to tie the knot here.  Applicants must, however, be married in the county where the license is issued.  Once granted, a marriage license is valid for six months.  Application and/or marriage license fees may vary by county, which means you must check with the local courthouse regarding the actual cost and acceptable payment methods.  The average fee ranges from $35.00 to $60.00, but couples who complete a state-recognized marriage preparation course may be eligible for a discount on the license fee.  It is advisable that applicants have cash on hand in the event that credit cards are not accepted. 

Same sex marriage is not permitted in the state of Maryland.  Common law marriages, which are those that a state may acknowledge after a couple has lived together for a certain amount of time, are not recognized in the state.  A wedding can be officiated by a minister of the gospel, deputy clerk or judge. 

Planning a wedding isn’t state law, but it certainly makes for a more memorable experience.  The official state flower, which is the black-eyed susan, would be ideal for a bridal bouquet, wedding decorations, etc.  There are a number of tranquil locations, resorts and tourist destinations that would make Maryland a wonderful choice for an upcoming wedding. 

The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only.  It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional legal advice.  Marriage laws and requirements can change, which means that you should check with your county courthouse regarding the application process for a marriage license, laws, fees and other requirements.   

To obtain a copy of a Maryland marriage certificate, send $12.00 to: Division of Vital Records

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 6550 Reisterstown Ave., P.O. Box 68760, Baltimore, MD 21215-0020.  

Maryland Family Code

Secs. 2-201 to 2- 503 provides information on Maryland's' marriage laws.