Baltimore City Marriage Records

Baltimore City marriage records are kept by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, not Baltimore County. Baltimore became an independent city in 1851 and has its own separate court system. If you live in Baltimore City and need a marriage license or a certified copy of a marriage record, you go to the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse at 100 North Calvert Street. This page covers how to get a license, how to request copies, and how to access historical Baltimore City marriage records.

Baltimore City Circuit Court - Marriage and Licenses

The Circuit Court for Baltimore City handles all marriage licenses and records for city residents. The office is in the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse at 100 North Calvert Street, Room 627, Baltimore, MD 21202. The mailing address for copy requests is Room 610 at the same address. Phone for marriage and business licenses is 410-333-3790. Main court line: 410-333-3722. Hours for licensing are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Cash registers close at 4:00 PM sharp for all licensing transactions, so arrive with time to spare.

This is an important distinction: Baltimore City residents do NOT use the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson. The two are completely separate jurisdictions. Baltimore City has its own court system, its own clerk, and its own marriage records going back to 1777. The clerk for Baltimore City is Xavier A. Conaway. If you are unsure which court applies to you, Baltimore City is the area inside the city limits. Baltimore County surrounds the city and has its own court in Towson.

The Baltimore City Circuit Court Land Records and Licenses Division page lists current hours, phone numbers, fees, and directions. It is the official source for current licensing information.

Getting a Marriage License in Baltimore City

The marriage license fee in Baltimore City is $85. This is one of the highest fees in Maryland and is payable in cash only at the time of application. No checks, cards, or money orders are accepted for the license fee. Bring exact change or enough cash to cover $85.

Baltimore City recently changed its application rules. One party can now apply for a license without the other being physically present, as long as that person's ID (a photocopy is acceptable) is brought to the office. This is different from most Maryland counties, where both parties must appear together. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-401, a valid license is required before any ceremony. After it is issued, a 48-hour waiting period applies under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-405, and the license is valid for six months.

If you were previously married, you must provide the date and place the prior marriage ended, either by death or divorce. Bring documentation. No blood test is required in Maryland. Social Security numbers must be provided but will not appear on the license itself.

The Maryland People's Law Library page on marriage explains the legal requirements for getting married in Maryland, including who can officiate a ceremony and what a valid license requires. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-406, the ceremony must take place in the jurisdiction where the license was issued. For Baltimore City licenses, the ceremony must occur within the city limits.

Civil Ceremonies at the Baltimore City Courthouse

Baltimore City offers civil marriage ceremonies at the courthouse. No appointment is needed. Ceremonies happen Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Arrive no later than 2:00 PM to allow time for processing. The fee is $25 in cash, paid on the day of the ceremony.

Both parties must bring valid government-issued photo ID. At least one witness is required. Guest attendance is limited to a maximum of six people. The ceremony takes 15 to 20 minutes. You must already have your license issued and be past the 48-hour waiting period before the ceremony can happen. Civil ceremonies are useful for couples who want a simple, fast, and low-cost legal marriage. The courthouse setting works well for people who need a ceremony quickly for legal, immigration, or personal reasons.

Certified Copies of Baltimore City Marriage Records

Certified copies of Baltimore City marriage records are available from the Circuit Court at 100 North Calvert Street, Room 610. You can request copies in person during business hours or by mail. For mail requests, send a written request with both parties' names, the approximate date of marriage, how many copies you need, your return address, and payment. Make payment by check or money order.

The Maryland Courts directory for Baltimore City provides contact details for all Baltimore City court offices. Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are valid for legal purposes such as name changes, estate settlements, or government applications. Plain copies do not carry the seal and will not work for most official uses.

The step-by-step guide at this Baltimore City marriage license resource walks through the application process from start to finish, which is helpful if you are preparing for your first visit to the licensing office. For case records and other court documents, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the main statewide access point.

Historical Baltimore City Marriage Records

Baltimore City marriage records date to 1777. The Maryland State Archives holds a large collection of Baltimore City marriage records, with indexes covering 1777 through 2013. Online indexes are available for many date ranges, making it possible to search by name without visiting the Archives in person.

The Maryland State Archives marriage record indexes show what Baltimore City collections are available and how to access them. The Baltimore City Court of Common Pleas Marriage Index for 1851-1885 contains digitized marriage cards with names, ages, races, occupations, dates, and ministers. Another index covers 1886-1914. The Baltimore City Archives at 2615 Mathews Street (phone 410-396-4934, by appointment) holds additional local historical documents that may include marriage-related records from the city's administrative history. The FamilySearch genealogy wiki for Baltimore City lists indexed collections and provides guidance for researchers. The Baltimore public records portal offers a starting point for searching various types of city records online.

Nearby Cities

Baltimore City is Maryland's largest city and is close to several other qualifying cities in the region.