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Baltimore County marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Towson, and only one of the two applicants needs to appear in person to apply.
| License fee | $35 for the marriage license. A separate $25 fee applies only if you also book a civil ceremony at the courthouse, which is optional. |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | About 48 hours — the license becomes valid at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after issuance. A circuit court judge may waive this for good cause if at least one applicant is a Maryland resident or active-duty military (Maryland statewide rule). |
| Documents / ID required | Government-issued photo ID showing date of birth for both applicants (driver’s license or passport). Both applicants’ Social Security numbers (stated verbally — the physical card is not required). Each applicant’s state or country of birth and current address. If either applicant was previously married, the exact month/day/year and county/state of each prior divorce or spouse’s death. |
| License validity | 6 months from the date of issuance (Maryland statewide rule). |
| Where & how to apply | Apply in person — there is no online pre-application for the license itself. Only one applicant needs to appear; the other applicant’s information can be provided along with a copy of their valid photo ID. Walk in during office hours; no appointment is needed for the license application (processing takes roughly 15 minutes). |
| Office hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
Special notes
An appointment is only required if you also want to book an optional civil ceremony at the courthouse ($25 fee, held weekdays 8:30–11:30 a.m. and 2:00–3:30 p.m.) — the license application itself is walk-in. Remember the license isn’t valid until 48 hours after issuance and expires after 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
Do both applicants need to appear in person for a Baltimore County marriage license?
No. Only one applicant needs to appear at the Clerk of the Circuit Court office; the absent applicant’s information and a copy of their valid photo ID can be provided instead.
Can we get married the same day we pick up our license in Baltimore County?
No. Maryland requires roughly a 48-hour wait — the license becomes valid at 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after issuance. A judge can waive this for good cause if at least one applicant is a Maryland resident or active-duty military.
Official source: Maryland Judiciary — Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Clerk’s Office — https://www.mdcourts.gov/clerks/baltimore/licensing
Last verified: September 2026
Last verified: September 2026
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