State guide
Maryland
Maryland is county-based: you get the license from the Circuit Court Clerk in the county, or Baltimore City, where the ceremony will happen. The state keeps a 48-hour wait before a license becomes effective, uses a six-month validity period, and lets clerks, designated deputy clerks, judges, and religious officials perform ceremonies. ([mdcourts.gov](https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/marriage?utm_source=openai))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who issues licenses
- Clerk of the Circuit Court for the county, or Baltimore City, where the ceremony is to be performed
- Waiting period
- 48 hours
- License valid for
- 6 months
- Witnesses
- not required
- License fee
- Varies by county; official pages found show $30 in Cecil, $35 in Baltimore County, and $55 in Anne Arundel and Montgomery
Official resources in Maryland
State judiciary overview of where to apply, waiting period, validity, and courthouse ceremonies. ([mdcourts.gov](https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/marriage?utm_source=openai))
Statute on issuance and the waiting-period exception process. ([mgaleg.maryland.gov](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl&enactments=false§ion=2-405&utm_source=openai))
Statute listing who may perform marriage ceremonies in Maryland. ([mgaleg.maryland.gov](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Statute_Web/gfl/2-406.pdf?utm_source=openai))
Statute showing the Society of Friends certificate form with signatures of the parties and two overseers. ([mgaleg.maryland.gov](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl&enactments=false§ion=2-403&utm_source=openai))
Directory of every Circuit Court Clerk office that issues Maryland marriage licenses. ([mdcourts.gov](https://www.mdcourts.gov/judicialrecords/clerks?utm_source=openai))
Key facts for Maryland
- Marriage licenses are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk for the county, or Baltimore City, where the ceremony will occur. ([mdcourts.gov](https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/marriage?utm_source=openai))
- A Maryland marriage license becomes effective at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after issuance, unless a court grants an exception. ([mdcourts.gov](https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/marriage?utm_source=openai))
- A license is valid for 6 months in the county where issued. ([mdcourts.gov](https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/marriage?utm_source=openai))
- Authorized officiants include religious officials, any clerk, a deputy clerk designated by the clerk, and judges. ([mgaleg.maryland.gov](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Statute_Web/gfl/2-406.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- No general witness requirement was found; Cecil and Montgomery official ceremony pages say witnesses are not needed for their civil ceremonies. ([mdcourts.gov](https://www.mdcourts.gov/clerks/cecil/marriage?utm_source=openai))
- Maryland recognizes a Society of Friends form of marriage certificate signed by the parties and two overseers. ([mgaleg.maryland.gov](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl&enactments=false§ion=2-403&utm_source=openai))
Courthouse ceremonies in Maryland
| County | Details |
|---|---|
| Montgomery | Montgomery County Circuit Court License Department performs marriage ceremonies by appointment only. ([montgomerycountymd.gov](https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cct/departments/license-department.html)) |
| Baltimore County | Baltimore County Clerk's Office schedules civil marriage ceremonies and publishes ceremony hours and fee. ([mdcourts.gov](https://www.mdcourts.gov/clerks/baltimore/licensing?utm_source=openai)) |
| Prince George's | Prince George's County Clerk performs civil marriage ceremonies by appointment on Tuesday-Friday. ([circuitcourtscheduling.princegeorgescountymd.gov](https://circuitcourtscheduling.princegeorgescountymd.gov/ScheduleAppointment.aspx?DepartmentID=17)) |
| Anne Arundel | Anne Arundel Clerk's License Department publishes civil-ceremony hours and an online reservation link. ([mail.circuitcourt.org](https://mail.circuitcourt.org/clerk-circuit-court/marriage-licenses?utm_source=openai)) |
What to do next
- Choose the wedding county first, because the license must come from that county's Circuit Court Clerk. ([mdcourts.gov](https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/marriage?utm_source=openai))
- Build in at least 48 hours before the ceremony unless you secure a court-authorized exception. ([mdcourts.gov](https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/marriage?utm_source=openai))
- If you want a courthouse ceremony, get the license first and then schedule with that clerk's office. ([mdcourts.gov](https://www.mdcourts.gov/clerks/baltimore/licensing?utm_source=openai))
Helpful guides
- How to get married at the courthouse
- What to bring when you apply for a marriage license
- Marriage license waiting periods and expiration dates
- Do you need witnesses for a courthouse wedding?