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Order Maryland Marriage Certificate

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Legal Disclaimer

Vital Records Online is not affiliated with any government agency. We provide a secure online service to help customers file applications for certified vital records to the appropriate state or county office. Free application forms are available directly from the Maryland Department of Health - Division of Vital Records.

Maryland Marriage Certificate

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Maryland Marriage Certificate Overview

Learn how to order Maryland marriage certificate from the Maryland Department of Health - Division of Vital Records (MDH-DVR). The current processing time is 6 to 7 weeks. The state fee is $12.00 per marriage certificate. Authorized individuals include the certificate holder, immediate family members, and authorized third parties.

Where to Get a Maryland Marriage Certificate

Maryland marriage certificate is available from the Maryland Division of Vital Records (DVR), which maintains statewide marriage records from June 1951 to the present. Certified copies can be ordered online, by mail, or in person at the Baltimore office. The fee is $10 for a certified copy. Visit the Maryland Vital Records website for ordering details.

For marriages before June 1951, contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county or Baltimore City where the marriage license was issued. Maryland has 23 counties plus Baltimore City, each with a circuit court clerk maintaining local marriage records.

For a secure, guided process, order your Maryland marriage certificate online through VRO with document verification and order tracking.

Is a Maryland Marriage Certificate Issued by the State or County?

Maryland uses a dual system. The Clerk of the Circuit Court in each county (or Baltimore City) is the original recording authority — couples apply for their marriage license there, and the officiant returns the completed certificate to the same office after the ceremony. The clerk then reports the record to the state Division of Vital Records.

Certified copies from either source are legally valid. The state has records from 1951 onward, while circuit court clerks may have records dating back much further. The state charges $10 per copy, and county fees vary. Circuit court clerk offices often offer faster walk-in service.

Maryland Marriage License and 48-Hour Waiting Period

Maryland has a mandatory 48-hour waiting period between obtaining the marriage license and the ceremony. This means couples cannot marry on the same day they receive their license. The waiting period can be waived by a circuit court judge under certain circumstances, such as military deployment or medical emergency.

The Maryland marriage license is valid for six months from the date of issuance, giving couples ample time to plan their ceremony. Both parties must appear in person at the Clerk of the Circuit Court to apply. No blood tests are required, and Maryland does not require premarital counseling.

Maryland also has specific rules about who can perform marriages — only active or retired judges, clerks, and ministers or officials of a religious order can officiate. Unlike some states, Maryland does not allow online ordination ministers to perform marriages unless they meet specific religious organization criteria. This can affect where and how your marriage certificate is issued.

How to Order State of Maryland Marriage Certificate

You can order Maryland marriage certificate through the VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order marriage certificate. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the Maryland Department of Health – Division of Vital Records (MDH-DVR) for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your marriage certificate to you. You can place the order yourself in person or by mail through the MDH-DVR by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. To find the specific county’s marriage record issuing agency, refer to this complete list of Maryland’s County vital record agencies. Review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times to ensure everything is correct with your application.


Person ordering a marriage certificate with a phone using VRO

Ordering with VRO

Ordering Maryland vital records through our online filing service is quick and easy.

  1. Complete the online application and upload your documents.
  2. Process your order. ✔️

Starting from

$29+ state fees

Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO

  • 5 minutes process
  • No waiting in lines
  • No handling paperwork or mail
  • Simplified application process
  • 24 hour service
  • Online assistance by specialists
  • Verification and error-checking
  • Order tracking
  • Online notary
  • Pay online by credit card
  • Remote processing time

Get Started Online

required documents

What Documents Are Needed to Order State of Maryland Marriage Certificate?

Applicants must provide proof of their identity to the Maryland Department of Health—Division of Vital Records. MDH-DVR accepts a driver’s license, state-issued photo ID, or passport as a valid form of identification for a marriage certificate application. Secondary identification options are available if you cannot provide a primary ID; at least one form of secondary identification must contain your current mailing address. Notarizing the application may be required if acceptable forms of ID cannot be provided.

The MDH-DVR has specific conditions and requirements for ordering Maryland marriage certificate. Carefully review the criteria in the table below:


Primary ID Requirements Options

Secondary ID Requirements Options

Valid Government Photo ID
Driver’s License
State ID
Passport

Utility Bill
Car Registration Form
Paystub
Bank Statement
Copy of Income Tax Return / W-2 Form
Letter from a Government Agency Requesting a Vital Record
Lease / Rental Agreement


Cost & fees

What Are the Costs and Fees Associated with Replacing a Marriage Certificate in Maryland?

The MDH-DVR determines the fees for obtaining certified copies of marriage records in Maryland. A replacement certificate costs $12.00 per copy. The total cost may vary depending on how you apply. When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $29.00, plus state fees. VRO provides a secure online solution for ordering marriage certificate.


State Fee

$12.00


Rush Processing

Not Available


Additional Copy

1 x $12.00

Processing time

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Maryland Marriage Certificate?

In Maryland, replacing a marriage certificate takes about 6 to 7 weeks. Rush processing is not available. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Processing Time

6 to 7 weeks

Rush Processing Time

Not Available


Authorization

Who Is Authorized to Order Maryland Marriage Certificate?

Marriage records are considered private and are only accessible to certain individuals for 50 years after the event. After this period, the general public can access them. Authorized individuals who can request a Maryland marriage certificate include those named on the record or third parties who have been authorized by the Maryland Department of Health - Division of Vital Records (MDH-DVR).

To obtain a marriage certificate on someone else's behalf, review the eligibility criteria and obtain a notarized authorization letter from the individual listed on the record before making the request.



Authorized People


  • Attorney representing either spouse named on the record. (The attorney must present proof that s/he represents the spouse.)
  • Either spouse named on the record
  • Representative of either spouse named on the record. (The representative must show a letter stating that s/he has permission to obtain a copy of the marriage certificate. The letter must be signed by one of the spouses and certified by a notary public.)

Do I Need to Add a Notary to My Maryland Marriage Application?

The MDH-DVR does not require applicants to add notary statements when requesting certified copies of their marriage certificate. A Notarized statement may be required under the following circumstances: a third party requests a certified copy of a Maryland marriage certificate, or, as an authorized representative, you must submit a court order or a notarized statement signed by a person named on the record.

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Tracking

How to Track the Status of Your Maryland Marriage Certificate

When you place an order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online as we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before sending them to the Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records (MDH-DVR) for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's progress to the MDH-DVR.

When manually mailing your marriage certificate request to the MDH-DVR, it is required to include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your application. Mail tracking is recommended to guarantee your certificate's timely handling and secure delivery. Once records leave the state office, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.

frequently asked questions

Other FAQs


  • How Much Does a Maryland Marriage Certificate Cost?

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    Fees for a Maryland marriage certificate vary by county. Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage license was issued for exact pricing. Typical fees range from $5 to $25 depending on the jurisdiction.

  • Can I Order a Maryland Marriage Certificate Online?

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    Yes, in many Maryland counties you can order a marriage certificate online through the county clerk website or an approved service provider. You can also apply by mail or in person at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage license was issued.

  • Can Someone Else Request My Maryland Marriage Certificate?

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    In Maryland, eligible requesters include either spouse named on the certificate, immediate family members, or a legal representative. If you need someone else to request the certificate on your behalf, they may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) or a signed affidavit from an authorized applicant.

  • Are Maryland Marriage Certificate Public Records?

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    Maryland marriage certificate is generally considered public records. You can request certified copies from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage license was issued.

  • Are Maryland Marriage Certificate Open to the Public?

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    Maryland marriage records are open to the public, although access may vary depending on the event year. Third-party websites can help research marriage certificate, but it’s important to note that the data on these sites may differ from official government records. When searching on a third-party website, you will typically need to provide the location of the record (city, county, or state) and the name of the person listed on the record (if applicable). Maryland residents can inspect or obtain copies of public marriage records under the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA).

  • How Do I Verify that My Maryland Marriage Certificate is Official?

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    You can check the appearance of the marriage document to ensure you have the official certified copy of your marriage certificate. Each state, county, and municipality issues unique designs for its marriage certificate. A stamp or large print can identify informational copies of marriage records on the document, stating “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity��� or something similar. To verify if your certificate is a certified copy, you can refer to the official, certified documents in the county where it was issued.

  • How to Amend or Change My Maryland Marriage Certificate

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    The MDH-DVR is unable to make corrections to marriage records. Contact the District Court in the jurisdiction where the event occurred for changes to the record. Some corrections will require a court order.

    Making changes to a Maryland marriage certificate will require the following:

    1. A completed amendment application;
    2. Supporting documentation;
    3. Appropriate fee(s);
    4. A notarized, sworn statement completed by an authorized person.
  • How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Maryland Marriage Certificate

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    If you lose your marriage certificate:

    1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the MDH-DVR.
      1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department.
      2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the MDH-DVR at:
        Maryland Department of Health – Division of Vital Records,
        Division of Vital Records,
        P.O. Box 68760,
        Baltimore, Maryland 21215-0036
        ,
      3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
    2. MDH-DVR will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.
  • How to Obtain an Apostille for Maryland Marriage Certificate

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    An Apostille is required when a marriage record needs to be filed with a foreign government. Apostilles can be ordered through the Secretary of State or Vital Records Online in Maryland-issued vital records.

    VRO offers comprehensive apostille services for marriage certificate across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees).

    To manually mail an apostille request, you will need to provide the following information:

    1. A check or money order for the required fee.
    2. A note indicating the country where the documents will be used and your contact information in case there are any questions regarding your documents.
    3. A stamped, self-addressed envelope or a prepaid express delivery service, such as FedEx or UPS.

    You can submit requests for marriage record apostilles to the Maryland Department of Health – Division of Vital Records (MDH-DVR) at the following addresses:

    For express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address:



    For standard mail:


    In-person or walk-in address: