Introduction to Maryland Marriage Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Maryland Marriage certificate.  Marriage Certificates are a bit more difficult to obtain than Marriage Certificates and Death Certificates.  The main difficulty in obtaining Marriage Certificates is that states have not been registering marriages for as long as other vital records.  There are some states that still do not register marriages.  Due to this lack of centralization it is common to contact the county in which the marriage took place.

Counter to common belief, not everything is a few clicks away on the Internet.  Marriage Certificates are one of the items that you can’t just click some links and get a copy of your Marriage Certificate; this is probably a good thing.  You do not want your Marriage certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Marriage certificate by following the correct procedure.  

Maryland Marriage certificates have been maintained by the Division of Vital Records of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for individuals married in the state of Maryland since 1990. For marriages performed before January 1, 1990, contact the circuit court of the Maryland county where the marriage took place, or the Maryland State Archives.

Maryland Marriage Certificate Authorized Persons

By Maryland state law, Maryland Marriage certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Bride named on the Maryland Marriage certificate
• Groom named on the Maryland Marriage certificate
• Representative of the bride or groom (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 the bride or groom and certified by a notary public.)
• Attorney representing the bride or groom (The attorney must present proof that s/he represents the bride or groom.)
  Court of law

Maryland Marriage Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Marriage records over 50 years are available through the Maryland State Archives located at 350 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis. Telephone number 410-260-6400.

Maryland Marriage Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Maryland Marriage Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Maryland Marriage Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Maryland Marriage Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Maryland Marriage Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Maryland Marriage certificate online.  It usually takes 1-2 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Maryland Marriage certificate:

• Full name of husband on the Maryland Marriage certificate
• Full maiden name of wife on the Maryland Marriage certificate
• Date of Marriage on the Maryland Marriage certificate
• County (or city) of Marriage on the Maryland Marriage certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Maryland Marriage certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Maryland Marriage certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Division of Vital Records

P.O. Box 68760

Baltimore, Maryland 21215-0036

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Maryland: You may go to any county health department in the State of Maryland to obtain a certified copy of a Maryland Marriage certificate. Most Maryland Marriage certificates can be issued while you wait.

Maryland Marriage Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Maryland Marriage certificate is $12.00, which includes one certified copy of the Maryland Marriage certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Maryland Marriage certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $12.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Division of Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.