Effective December 1, 2024, the marrying couple will be required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID at the time of check-in prior to the scheduled ceremony appointment time.

Hours:

• Marriage License/copies: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
• Civil Ceremonies: 9 AM - 12 PM and 1PM - 4 PM (Please arrive 20 min prior to appointment time)
• Business Licenses: 8:30 AM - 3:30 pm
• Notary: Oath of Office and Certifications 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Monday through Friday (Closed weekends and State Holidays)

Please note: No credit card transactions will be processed after 4:00 p.m.

Please use this link to reserve a Civil Ceremony appointment.

The License Department is in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, 8 Church Circle Room H101 (directly behind security) Annapolis Maryland 21401.

PARKING: Please refer to the HOME page ABOUT US tab for parking options and directions.

TO CONTACT US CALL: 410-222-1434

Marriage Licenses

The application process takes approximately 15 minutes. There is a 48-hour waiting period before the license is valid. The marriage license is valid for six months from the date of issuance and is only valid in Anne Arundel County. The procedures for obtaining a marriage license in Anne Arundel County are as follows:

The Marriage License fee is $55.00 in Anne Arundel County.

Accepted methods of payment: cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Apple pay, and Google pay or money order as payment.

Please note: No credit card transactions will be process after 4:00 p.m.

One applicant must apply in person to give the information for both spouses.

The following information is required for each applicant:

• Name
• Age - * While only one party is required to apply for a marriage license, each party must provide a copy of an official government-issued birth certificate or other official government-issued document or record demonstrating their age such as a driver’s license, passport, etc.
• Birth Date
• State or Country of Birth
• Current Address
• Social Security Number for each person. The Social Security Number is required by Federal and State law and will not be printed on the marriage license. Citizenship is not a requirement to be married. Non-U S Citizens will use N/A (not applicable) on the application.
• If either party has been married previously, please provide the exact month, day, year, county and state that all divorces and/or deaths occurred. Documentation is not required in Anne Arundel County.
• Both parties must be over 18 years of age.

* Change to Marriage License Laws effective October 1, 2022:

• * Minors under the age of 17 are not permitted to get married.
• * An individual 17-year-olds may not marry unless:
  • the individual has the consent of each living parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the minor person either in person or through an affidavit signed under the seal of a notary public, OR
  • if the individual does not have the required consent, a certificate from a licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner that states the woman to be married has been examined by the physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and is found to be pregnant or has given birth to a child; AND
  • the individual presents a certified copy of an order granting authorization to marry in accordance with the provisions of Title 5, Subtitle 2A of the Family Law Article not earlier than 15 days after the order was issued. To obtain an order granting authorization to marry, a minor who is 17 years old may file a petition in the Circuit Court in the county in which the minor resides, and an evidentiary hearing on the petition must be held to determine if an order of authorization to marry may be granted.

A blood test is not required in the state of Maryland.

The applicant will be asked if the information provided is accurate. The applicant must sign the application under oath and indicate the truthfulness of the information under penalty of perjury.

Non-Resident Affidavit

If you are unable to apply for an Anne Arundel County marriage license in person at least 48 hours prior to the wedding ceremony, you may complete a Non-Resident Affidavit to be signed by your local Clerk of the Circuit Court or comparable official in your state. The fees remain the same and all Maryland laws must be complied with. It is at the discretion of your local Clerk of the Court or comparable office when requesting approval. We recommend calling them directly for guidance.

For forms and instructions, please use the following link: https://mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccfm066.pdf

Before mailing the affidavit, please make certain that the information on the form is accurate, legible, and complete.

Please note: Additional fees will be charged if changes are required to the Affidavit after it has been processed.

The Marriage License Fee of $55.00 payment must be in the form of a MONEY ORDER or CERTIFIED CHECK.

**PERSONAL CHECKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED**

After completing the Non-Resident Affidavit, mail it to:

Clerk of the Circuit Court
ATTN: Marriage License
8 Church Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
​​

Civil Marriage Ceremonies

IN PERSON MARRIAGE CEREMONIES - CIRCUIT COURT MARRIAGE CEREMONY ROOM

• Civil Ceremonies are performed at the Circuit Court Marriage Ceremony Room Monday through Friday. The hours for civil ceremonies are 9:00 AM. – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Parties should arrive 20 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment and proceed to the License Department for check-in.
• The fee for a civil marriage ceremony is $25.00 payable in cash or Visa, MasterCard or Discover. Personal checks are not accepted as payment.
• If you plan to be married at the Circuit Court Marriage Ceremony Room, please use this link to reserve a Civil Ceremony appointment.

Marriage License: Certified Copies

The Circuit Court has marriage records for Anne Arundel County from 1905 to the present.

Certified copies are $5.50 per copy. You may apply in person or by mail.

By Mail:

Click here to print and complete the application form or provide the following information in your request:

• Names
• Date of Marriage
• Marriage License Number (if known)
• Daytime phone number
• Requested number of copies

Accepted forms of payment: personal check, cashier’s check or money order ($5.50 per copy) payable to Clerk of the Court and mail to:

Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County
Attention: License Department
8 Church Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

For expedited return service, please submit a self-addressed stamped envelope.

In Person:

Customer hours: 8:30am - 3:30pm

Applications are processed while you wait.

Accepted forms of payment: cash, personal check, cashier’s check or money order payable to Clerk of the Court, credit card or Apple Pay ($5.50 per copy).