A Charles County marriage license is issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court at 200 Charles Street in La Plata, and you need one in hand before any ceremony held in the county. Only one partner has to appear to file the application, but that person must bring the required information and documents for both of you. The Land and License Department takes applications Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The license cannot be issued until 48 hours after you apply, so timing matters.
What to Bring to the Clerk’s Office
Gather everything before the visit. Showing up without a piece of information for your partner usually means coming back another day.
- Government-issued photo ID for both parties, such as a driver’s license, passport, or military ID. If only one person is present, a copy or digital image of the absent partner’s ID is accepted.1Maryland Courts. Charles County Marriage License Information
- Social Security numbers for both parties. Federal and state law require them, and they are not printed on the license itself.1Maryland Courts. Charles County Marriage License Information
- Full legal name, date of birth, state of birth, and current address for each person.
- If either person was previously married, the complete date and location of every divorce or spouse’s death. The Charles County clerk asks you to bring the actual divorce decree or court order from each prior marriage.1Maryland Courts. Charles County Marriage License Information
Maryland does not require a blood test or medical exam. At the counter, a deputy clerk reviews the information and the person filing swears under oath that it is accurate.2Maryland Courts. How to Apply for a Marriage License That oath is a legal one; false information about identity, age, or marital history can jeopardize the validity of the marriage.
Who Is Eligible
Both people must be at least 18 to marry without additional conditions. A 17-year-old can marry only with consent from every living parent, guardian, or legal custodian plus a certified copy of a court order authorizing the marriage, and that order cannot be presented to the clerk until at least 15 days after it was issued. If parental consent is unavailable, the only alternative is a certificate from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner confirming the woman to be married is pregnant or has given birth. No one under 17 can marry in Maryland under any circumstances.3Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Code Family Law 2-301 – Marriage of Minors
Maryland prohibits marriages between close relatives, including parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings, aunts and nephews, uncles and nieces, and several in-law relationships. The application asks whether you are related by blood or marriage.
Maryland does not recognize common-law marriage. Living together for years or calling each other spouses does not create a legal marriage; you need the license and a ceremony.
The 48-Hour Waiting Period
The clerk cannot issue your license until 48 hours have passed from the time you apply. You file on day one and return (or have the license mailed) after the two-day window. Once the license is in your hands it is effective immediately, and the ceremony can happen that same day. Issuance hours are limited by statute to between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.4Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Code Family Law 2-405 – Application for License
For a Saturday wedding, apply no later than the preceding Wednesday to leave a buffer. Applying Thursday and picking up Saturday morning is technically possible but leaves no room for problems.
Fees
Maryland’s base marriage license fee is $10 statewide. Charles County’s Board of County Commissioners is authorized to add a surcharge of up to $35, with the proceeds funding domestic violence programs in the county.5Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Code Family Law 2-404 – Fees for Licenses Call the Land and License Department at 301-932-3308 to confirm the current total before your visit. Cash and credit cards are accepted; credit card payments may carry a small processing surcharge.
If the license is lost or damaged within its validity window, a replacement costs a separate $10.5Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Code Family Law 2-404 – Fees for Licenses
Applying If You Live Out of State
If neither partner lives in Charles County and visiting the clerk’s office is not practical, you can apply using a non-resident marriage license affidavit instead of appearing in person. The affidavit requires the same information and must be sworn before a clerk or other authorized official in the county where you live.1Maryland Courts. Charles County Marriage License Information This is the option couples use for destination weddings at Charles County’s waterfront venues.
How Long the License Is Good For
The license is valid for six months from the date of issuance.2Maryland Courts. How to Apply for a Marriage License If the ceremony does not happen in that window, the license expires and you reapply and pay again.
A Charles County license only authorizes a ceremony held in Charles County. It cannot be used across county lines. A wedding performed in St. Mary’s County or Prince George’s County on a Charles County license would not be properly authorized. The officiant should confirm the license matches the ceremony location before signing.2Maryland Courts. How to Apply for a Marriage License
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Maryland law authorizes four categories of officiants: clergy or leaders authorized by their religious order or body to perform marriages; clerks of the circuit court; deputy clerks specifically designated by the county administrative judge; and judges, including state court judges at every level, retired judges eligible for recall, and federal judges from U.S. District Courts, Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Tax Court.6Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Code Family Law 2-406 – Performance of Ceremony
The Charles County clerk’s office performs civil ceremonies at the courthouse for a separate $25 fee. Maryland does not require witnesses, so a courthouse wedding with just the couple and the officiant is valid.
Maryland does not automatically authorize online-ordained ministers. Whether an online ordination qualifies depends on whether the ordaining organization counts as a religious order or body under the statute. If a friend is planning to officiate, confirm with the clerk’s office beforehand rather than finding out there is a problem on the wedding day.
After the Ceremony
The license comes with two marriage certificates attached. The officiant signs both during the ceremony. One copy goes to the newlyweds, and the officiant must return the other to the Charles County clerk within five days of the ceremony.7Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Code Family Law 2-409 That returned certificate is what makes the marriage part of the official county record. Follow up with your officiant if the deadline slips; an unrecorded marriage creates problems when you later need proof.
Once the certificate is recorded, you can request certified copies from the clerk’s office. You will need them to update a Social Security card, driver’s license, passport, and bank accounts. Call the clerk’s office for the current per-copy fee, and order several at once because different agencies require originals and are slow to return them.