Baltimore County, Maryland
County clerk guides for Baltimore County.
Baltimore County marriage license at a glance
The essentials for getting a marriage license in Baltimore County, taken from our verified county guide. Confirm details with the official office before you go.
| 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). |
| License validity | 6 months from the date of issuance (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. |
| 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). |
Full Baltimore County marriage license guide →
Maryland rules that apply in Baltimore County
These come from Maryland state law, so they are the same in every county:
- Minimum age to marry: 18 with no restrictions. A 17-year-old may marry only with consent of each living parent/guardian/custodian, or (absent consent) a medical certificate confirming pregnancy or childbirth plus a certified court order. No one under 17 may marry under any circumstance.
- 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.
- License validity: 6 months from the date of issuance.
- Blood test required: No
How the fee compares
The standard fee we have verified for Baltimore County is $35. Across the 81 counties and cities ClerkGuide has researched so far, standard fees run from $20 to $172, with a median of $76 — so this one is higher than about 15% of them. See fees state by state →
Baltimore County vs. other Maryland counties
Fees are set locally, so they can differ noticeably even inside one state. Here is how the Maryland counties we cover line up, cheapest first:
| Baltimore County | $35 standard |
|---|---|
| Montgomery County | $55 standard |
| Prince George’s County | $70 standard |
More: all Maryland marriage license requirements · getting married in a different county.