Marriage License Information

Apply for a Marriage License

COVID-19: Updated marriage license application to be used during the COVID-19 emergency. View application.

**You must apply for a marriage license in the county that your ceremony will be held**

Please complete (print clearly) the marriage license application and mail to or place in drop box (only available Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.):
                                Clerk of the Circuit Court for Howard County
                                Marriage Application
                                6095 Marshalee Drive 
                                Suite 120
                                Elkridge, MD 21075

Please include a copy of government issued identification for Party 1 and Party 2.

Return the completed and signed application and copies of identification along with a check or money order in the amount of $50.00 made payable to the “Clerk, Circuit Court for Howard County”.

Please indicate if you will be requesting a civil ceremony performed by the clerk. If the ceremony will be performed outside of the court, please indicate where you would like the marriage license packet to be mailed.

Request for Ceremony Performed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court

**UPDATED 11/20/2020**

Civil ceremonies are performed at the Circuit Court, 8360 Court Avenue, Ellicott City, Monday – Friday, except state holidays. Appointments are required.  Please call 410-313-5850 to schedule a ceremony.

If requesting a ceremony at the courthouse, please inform when applying for marriage license and a clerk will contact you to schedule.  

If you have scheduled a courthouse ceremony and already have your license, please bring the license with you to the scheduled ceremony.

*It is important for the parties to understand and communicate with the officiant.  If either party needs an interpreter, please complete and submit the Request for Spoken Language Interpreter. https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/courtforms/joint/ccdc041.pdf/ccdc041.pdf. 

Effective December 1st, all ceremonies will be held inside and due to the Coronavirus, only the couple may appear in the courthouse for a civil ceremony. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Parties must wear a mask and will be subject to COVID-19 screening when entering the courthouse.

Ceremony fee is $25.00/$5.50 for each certified copy.  Payment by cash, money order or credit card (Discover, MasterCard and Visa)

Certified Copies

You may request a certified copy by mail. Please include in your request:

  • Names
  • Date of Marriage
  • License Number
  • Check or Money Order

The cost for each certified copy is $5.50. The check or money order should be made payable to the Clerk, Circuit Court for Howard County. For your convenience, you may complete the Application for Certified Copy of Marriage License.

For further information on obtaining a marriage license or civil ceremonies, please call 410-313-5850.