Marriage Law Maryland

1. VOID MARRIGES
   1. Marriages within certain degrees of relationship are void in the state of Maryland.
   2. Marriages within 3 degrees of direct lineal consanguinity or within first degree of collateral consanguinity are prohibited
   3. A man may not marry his:
      • grandmother;
      • mother;
      • daughter
      • sister;
      • granddaughter
   4. A woman may not marry her:
      • grandfather
      • father;
      • son
      • brother; or
      • grandson.
   5. A person who violates any provision of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of $1,500.
   6. Certain marriages within other degrees of affinity or consanguinity are prohibited;
   7. A man may not marry his:
      • grandfather's wife;
      • wife's grandmother;
      • father's sister;
      • mother's sister
      • stepmother;
      • wife's mother;
      • wife's daughter;
      • son's wife;
      • grandson's wife;
      • wife's granddaughter;
      • brother's daughter; or
      • sister's daughter.
   8. A woman may not marry her:
      • grandmother's husband;
      • husband's grandfather;
      • father's brother;
      • mother's brother;
      • stepfather;
      • husband's father;
      • husband's son;
      • daughter's husband;
      • husband's grandson;
      • brother's son;
      • sister's son; or
      • grand daughter's husband.
2. MARRIAGE LICENSE LAW MARYLAND
   1. The prerequisite to solemnize marriage is the Marriage License.
   2. To obtain a marriage license one may apply to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage is to take place.
   3. The person obtaining a license from one county has to get married in the same county.
   4. At the time of applying for the marriage license both the parties to the marriage i.e. bride and bride groom needs to be present; but some county requires either of them may present.

Documents and Information required for applying for the Marriage license

Identification (age 18 and older) (driver's license or birth certificate or passport) providing:

1. Full Names
2. Physical, Permanent Address
3. Age

Other information that may be required to be furnished are

1. Whether the parties are related by blood or marriage and, if so, in which degree of the relationship
2. The date and place of EACH death or judicial determination that ended any former marriage
3. State of Birth
4. Social Security Number (mandatory)
5. The marital status of each party Single (never married), Divorced or Widowed
6. If the person has ever been married before he has to submit information regarding the County, State, Month, and Year for the last divorce or death of spouse with appropriate supporting documents.

Procedures

Application may be made Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court in the form available at the office.

 

Bride or Groom must appear in person and give, under oath, the following information:

1. Full name of each party
2. Place of residence of each party
3. The age of each party
4. Whether the parties are related by blood or marriage and, if so, in which degree of the relationship
5. The marital status of each party Single (never married), Divorced or Widowed
6. The date and place of each death or judicial determination that ended any former marriage.
7. Social Security numbers of each party. Social Security numbers will not appear on the license and are not part of the public record to be disclosed, except to the State Child Support Enforcement Administration or a person of interest.
8. Applicant must sign application.

At the time of application, a license fee as prescribed by the county court must be paid by either cash or money order

 

Waiting Period

 

There is a two day waiting period to receive the license.

 

Validity of License

1. A license is not effective until 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after the license is issued.
2. The license is issued the same day you apply, and it is valid for 6 months.
3. License Fee

The license fees vary from county to county in the state of Maryland.

 

Fees

 

The fee for license is $35 - $60.00 cash or credit cards or money order, which varies from county to county.

 

Marriage of Minors (under age 18)

1. 16 or 17 years old must have the consent of a parent or guardian (parent or guardian must be with the minor at the time of application) or have a certificate from a licensed physician on physician's letterhead stating that the physician has examined the woman to be married (not just a blood test) and note the date of delivery or expected date of delivery, and it must be signed by the doctor.
2. 15 years old must have the consent of a parent or guardian (parent or guardian must be with the minor at the time of application) and have a certificate from a licensed physician on his letterhead stating that the physician has examined the woman to be married (not just a blood test) and found that she is pregnant or has given birth, the expected date of delivery or the date child was delivered, and must be signed by him.
3. 14 years and younger may not marry.

Civil Ceremonies Performed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court

A marriage ceremony may be performed in this State by:

1. any official of a religious order or body authorized by the rules and customs of that order or body to perform a marriage ceremony;
2. any clerk; or
3. any deputy clerk designated by the county administrative judge of the circuit court for the county.

FEE, TIME AND PLACE FOR THE MARRIAGE

 

The civil ceremonies may be arranged at the courthouse grounds during the working hours.

1. The fee is $25.00, paid by either cash or money order immediately prior to the ceremony. There is a $25.00 cash fee paid at the time of the ceremony
2. Marriage hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday, except holidays
3. Location- The ceremony will be performed or elsewhere when prearranged.

3. MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
   1. The authorized official who performs the marriage ceremony shall
   2. hand over one marriage certificate to the individuals; and
   3. return within 5 days from the date of the marriage ceremony, the other marriage certificate to the clerk who issued the license to which the certificates were attached.
   4. Each marriage certificate shall contain the name, signature, and title of the authorized official who performs the marriage ceremony.