Bowie Marriage Records

Bowie marriage records are handled by the Prince George's County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro. Bowie is a city in Prince George's County, and all marriage licenses and record requests go through the county courthouse.

Prince George's County Circuit Court - Marriage Office

The Circuit Court for Prince George's County handles all marriage records for Bowie residents. The courthouse is at 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Phone is 301-952-3331. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Bowie is in the northeastern part of Prince George's County, about 15 to 20 miles from Upper Marlboro, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by car.

Bowie is one of the larger cities in Prince George's County, but all county marriage services are centralized at the courthouse in Upper Marlboro. That includes new license applications, certified copy requests, civil ceremony scheduling, and historical record inquiries. There is no satellite office for marriage records in Bowie itself. The clerk's office in Upper Marlboro is the single point of contact for everyone in the county.

The Prince George's County marriage license page at princegeorgescourts.org covers current fees, requirements, and civil ceremony details. The court records page covers certified copy procedures. Review both before your visit to confirm current information.

Applying for a Marriage License in Bowie

Both people who plan to marry must appear together at the clerk's office in Upper Marlboro to apply for a Prince George's County marriage license. You cannot apply alone or by mail for a standard license. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. If either party was previously married, bring documentation showing how that marriage ended, including the date and place of the divorce or death.

The license fee in Prince George's County is $70, which is one of the higher fees in Maryland. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-401, a valid license is required before any Maryland ceremony. After the clerk issues the license, a 48-hour waiting period applies under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-405. The license becomes valid at 6:00 AM on the second calendar day after you apply. It stays valid for six months from that date.

Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-406, the ceremony must take place in Prince George's County. Bowie is in Prince George's County, so ceremonies in or around the city use a Prince George's County license. If you plan to hold your ceremony in another county or in D.C., apply there instead.

Civil Ceremonies for Bowie Residents

The Prince George's County Clerk's office performs civil marriage ceremonies by appointment. The fee is $25. Call 301-952-3331 to schedule after your license has been issued and the 48-hour waiting period has passed. Ceremonies are held at the courthouse in Upper Marlboro. Both parties must be present with valid photo ID. Bring a witness if required by the clerk's current procedures.

Civil ceremonies are a practical option for couples who want a fast, legal marriage without planning a larger event. The Upper Marlboro courthouse handles scheduling and the ceremony itself. Bowie residents will need to drive to Upper Marlboro for the appointment. The $25 ceremony fee is separate from the $70 license fee.

Certified Copies of Bowie Marriage Records

Certified copies of Prince George's County marriage records cost $5.00 each. You can request them in person at the courthouse in Upper Marlboro or by mail. For mail requests, write to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Include both parties' full names as they appear on the license, the approximate year of marriage, the number of copies needed, and your return address and phone number. Payment by check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court."

Certified copies carry the official court seal, which is required for name changes, passport applications, estate proceedings, and government benefits forms. A plain copy is not accepted for those official purposes. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides online access to court case information, though it does not include marriage license images.

Historical Marriage Records for Bowie

Prince George's County was established in 1696. Historical marriage records from the 17th through 19th centuries are held at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. The Archives holds Prince George's County marriage records from the early colonial period through the late 19th century, with some collections available through online name indexes.

The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide explains what Prince George's County collections are available and how to access them. For genealogical research, the FamilySearch Prince George's County genealogy wiki lists indexed collections and provides research guidance.

The Internet Archive's Maryland marriage records collection covers 1914 to 1988 and includes Prince George's County records. This collection is free and searchable online, which is useful for mid-20th century research before contacting the courthouse or visiting the Archives.

The Maryland State Archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis is about 20 miles from Bowie. Researchers can visit in person, submit mail requests, or use the online ordering system for some records. For records from the mid-20th century forward, the Prince George's County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro is the direct source. The courthouse's marriage records go back several decades and are accessible through the clerk's office at 301-952-3331.

Nearby Cities

Bowie is in northeastern Prince George's County and is close to several qualifying cities across the region.