To look up marriage records in Maryland, start with the free online indexes at the Maryland State Archives to confirm a record exists, then order a certified copy from the office that holds it: the Division of Vital Records for marriages on or after January 1, 2007, or the Circuit Court clerk in the county that issued the license for anything earlier. The State Archives also holds marriage records from the mid-1600s through 2013 and serves as a backup when a Circuit Court cannot locate a file.
Search the Maryland State Archives Online First
Before paying any fees, use the Archives’ free online indexes to confirm the record and pin down the county. The Archives has digitized a large portion of its marriage collection, and searching costs nothing.
- County-level indexes for many counties going back to the late 1700s, with some scanned original records viewable from home.
- A statewide index covering 1978 through 1989.
- A statewide index covering 1990 through 2011.
Many county marriage licenses from the 1700s and 1800s have been fully digitized and can be viewed online at no cost. The Archives also offers a Soundex tool that helps when a name may have been recorded with an alternate spelling.1Maryland State Archives. Marriage Records – Guide to Government Records
Non-certified access through the Archives is broader than certified access, which makes the online indexes the natural starting point for genealogical searches and for anyone who just needs to verify that a record is on file somewhere.
Which Office Holds Your Record
The date of the marriage decides where you write. Maryland splits custody of marriage records between three offices.
- Marriages on or after January 1, 2007: Maryland Department of Health, Division of Vital Records.
- Marriages before January 1, 2007: the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the license was issued.
- Marriages from the mid-1600s through 2013: also available from the Maryland State Archives, which is useful for older records and as a backup if a Circuit Court cannot find the file.
One point worth clarifying up front: a marriage license and a marriage certificate are two different documents. The license is the pre-ceremony authorization issued by a Circuit Court clerk; the certificate is what the officiant signs and returns, and it is what agencies mean when they ask for a “marriage record.” Order the certificate.
Ordering From the Division of Vital Records (2007–Present)
Certified copies for marriages on or after January 1, 2007, come from the Division of Vital Records. You can order three ways.2Maryland Department of Health. Request Marriage Certificates
Online through VitalChek. This is the fastest option. You pay the $12.00 state fee plus VitalChek’s own service and shipping charges, which vary by shipping speed. VitalChek does not publish a flat service fee, so expect the total to be meaningfully higher than $12.00.3Maryland Department of Health. Fees
By mail. Download the application from the Division of Vital Records website, include a photocopy of your government-issued ID, and mail it with a $12.00 check or money order payable to the Division of Vital Records. Current mail processing runs about six weeks, and the agency notes this may fluctuate with demand.4Maryland Department of Health. Processing Time
In person. The Baltimore office takes in-person requests by appointment. Bring valid ID and the $12.00 fee. Appointments fill up, so book ahead.3Maryland Department of Health. Fees
If Vital Records cannot locate your record, the $12.00 fee is not refunded. You receive a Certification of Record Search instead, confirming that no matching record was found.2Maryland Department of Health. Request Marriage Certificates
Ordering From a Circuit Court Clerk (Before 2007)
For marriages before 2007, the Circuit Court clerk’s office in the county where the license was issued is usually the first stop. A certified copy costs $5.50, based on a statewide fee of $5.00 plus $0.50 per page.5Maryland Courts. Summary of Charges, Costs, and Fees of the Clerks of the Circuit Court Requests are accepted in person and by mail, and in some counties by email or fax.6Maryland Courts. Marriage License Information
Procedures vary slightly by county, so call the clerk’s office before mailing anything. Confirm what documents they need and how they accept payment. Most courts do not accept personal checks.
Ordering From the Maryland State Archives
The State Archives is the right destination for older marriages and a backup when a Circuit Court cannot locate a pre-2007 record. It holds marriages from the mid-1600s through 2013.1Maryland State Archives. Marriage Records – Guide to Government Records
A certified copy from the Archives costs $25.00, and that fee is non-refundable even if no record is found.7Maryland State Archives. Marriage Order Form The gap between $5.50 at a Circuit Court and $25.00 at the Archives is significant, so try the court first when you know the county.
For records after 2013, the Archives does not hold copies. Contact the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage took place, or the Division of Vital Records if the marriage occurred in 2007 or later.
Who Is Allowed to Get a Certified Copy
Maryland limits certified marriage certificates to three categories of requester:
- Either spouse named on the record.
- An authorized representative of either spouse, carrying a notarized letter signed by the spouse granting permission.
- An attorney representing either spouse, with proof of the attorney-client relationship.
Adult children, parents, and other relatives are not eligible on their own unless they qualify as an authorized representative with a notarized letter from one of the spouses.2Maryland Department of Health. Request Marriage Certificates Non-certified records held by the State Archives, including historical indexes and scanned images, are more broadly accessible for genealogical research.1Maryland State Archives. Marriage Records – Guide to Government Records
What to Have Ready Before You Request
Every office will ask for the same core information. Gather it before you contact anyone.
- Full legal names of both spouses as they appeared at the time of the marriage.
- Approximate marriage date, including at least the month and year.
- County where the marriage license was issued or the ceremony took place.
The county matters most, because for pre-2007 marriages it determines which Circuit Court holds the record. If you cannot remember the county, run a name search through the State Archives’ statewide indexes first and use the result to narrow it down.
Fixing Errors on a Maryland Marriage Record
Misspelled names and wrong dates cause real trouble when you try to use a marriage record for a name change or a benefits claim. Corrections go through the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county that issued the original license.
You submit a written correction request along with supporting documentation. A birth certificate, for example, can prove the correct spelling of a name. Some counties provide a dedicated correction form. The clerk reviews the paperwork and, if approved, amends the record. Certified copies of the corrected record cost $5.50 each.6Maryland Courts. Marriage License Information
Call the clerk’s office before you send anything. Requirements and turnaround times vary by county, and an incomplete request can be rejected outright.