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Marriage Laws United States Maryland Howard County

Here's what you need to know and what documents to bring with you before you apply for a Howard County marriage license. We recommend getting this legal aspect of your wedding out of the way about a month before your ceremony date.

Howard County Marriage License Office

The Thomas Dorsey Building
9250 Bendix Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-5850
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. / M - F

Civil Ceremonies:

Ceremonies are performed at the Circuit Court for Howard County
Circuit Court Howard County
8360 Court Avenue
Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. / M - F
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Closed for holidays Observed by Howard County

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ID Requirement in Howard County:

If you are between 18 - 21, you must provide identification in the form of a drivers license or birth certificate. Only one applicant needs to be present. We recommend bringing identification with you even if you are over 21.

Residency Requirement:

You do not have to be a resident of Maryland. However, you must be married in the county where you purchased your license.

If you are not a resident of Howard County, AND it is not convenient for you to visit the Clerk's Office, you may apply for a marriage license using a Non-Resident Application. The Non-Resident Marriage Application is available in fillable PDF (right-click on the link to save the form to your PC). If you come to the Clerk's Office, then the marriage application must be completed on-site at the Clerk's Office.

Previous Marriages:

Howard County requires that you show your divorce decree, or have information regarding date, county and state of death of your previous spouse.

Covenant Marriage Option: No.

Waiting Period in Howard County:

There is a waiting period of 48 hours in Howard County to get married.

Fees in Howard County:

It will cost you between $35 - $75.00 to get married in Howard County. Maryland counties will only accept cash ... so call to verify what the county charges for a marriage license and don't leave home without cash to pay for the license!

If you have completed a state recognized pre-marital preparation course, you may receive a discount on the license fee.

Other Tests:

No blood test required.

Proxy Marriages:

No.

Cousin Marriages:

Yes.

Common Law Marriages:

No.

Same Sex Marriages:

No. The 33-year-old Maryland state law defining marriage as a union between a man and woman was struck down on 1/20/06 by Circuit Court Judge M. Brooke Murdock. An appeal is pending.

Under 18:

Parental consent is needed if under 18 years of age. If you are between 16-18 years of age, one of your parents or guardian must be with you and provide written consent.

If you are under 16 years of age, you will need both the written consent of your custodial parent or guardian and the written approval of a judge of the Orphans' Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas.

If you are under 18, pregnant or have a child, and show a certificate from a licensed physician stating you are pregnant or have had a child, the parental consent requirement may be waived.

Officiants:

Official of a religious order or a deputy clerk or a judge.

Miscellaneous:

License is valid for 6 months.

Copy of Certificate of Marriage:

Maryland Division of Vital Records
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0020

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.

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To notify us of corrections or additions send an email to update@usmarriagelaws.com.  Please include the state and county information.