Dundalk Marriage Records

Dundalk marriage records are maintained by the Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson. Dundalk is an unincorporated community in eastern Baltimore County, and all marriage license applications and record requests go through the county courthouse.

Baltimore County Circuit Court - Marriage Records

The Circuit Court for Baltimore County handles all marriage records for Dundalk residents. The Licensing Department is on the 2nd floor of the Baltimore County Courts Building at 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, MD 21204. Dundalk is about 12 miles from Towson, typically a 20 to 30 minute drive. Office hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Dundalk is one of the larger communities in Baltimore County, but it has no city government and no local courthouse. All marriage services run through the county office in Towson. Baltimore County stands out among Maryland counties because it accepts record copy requests by email. That makes it easier for Dundalk residents who need a copy but cannot easily travel to Towson.

The Baltimore County marriage records page at baltimorecountymd.gov is the official source for current fees, email request procedures, and mailing instructions. Review it before you contact the office.

Applying for a Marriage License in Dundalk

Both parties must appear together at the clerk's office in Towson to apply for a Baltimore 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 proof of how that marriage ended, including the date and place.

The license fee in Baltimore County is $35, which is one of the lower fees in Maryland. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-401, a valid license is required before any ceremony. After the clerk issues the license, a 48-hour waiting period applies under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-405. The license becomes valid on the second calendar day after you apply and stays valid for six months.

Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-406, the ceremony must take place in Baltimore County. Dundalk is in Baltimore County, so ceremonies held in or near Dundalk use a Baltimore County license. Note that Baltimore City is a separate jurisdiction. If your ceremony will be in Baltimore City, you need a Baltimore City license from the Mitchell Courthouse.

Civil Ceremonies at the Baltimore County Courthouse

The Baltimore County Circuit Court performs civil marriage ceremonies for $25. Ceremonies are held Monday through Friday at two time windows: 8:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 3:30 PM. Both indoor and outdoor ceremony options are available. Check in at the 2nd Floor Licensing Department when you arrive. You must already have a valid marriage license before scheduling. Staff at the office can answer questions and handle scheduling.

The Baltimore County courthouse is in Towson, so Dundalk residents need to drive to Towson for the ceremony. The indoor and outdoor options give couples some flexibility in how they set up the ceremony. Both options cost $25. Attendance is limited, so plan for a small group. The $25 ceremony fee is separate from the $35 license fee.

Certified Copies of Dundalk Marriage Records

Certified copies of Baltimore County marriage records cost $5.50 each. Baltimore County is one of the few Maryland courts that accepts requests by email. For plain (non-certified) copies, email ccbaltcoclerklicensing@mdcourts.gov. For certified copies, use ccbaltcoclerkmarriages@mdcourts.gov. Include the last four digits of your credit card in the email. A staff member will call you to collect the full payment details. Do not send your full card number by email.

You can also request copies by mail. Send to P.O. Box 6754, Towson, MD 21285-6754. Make checks payable to "Clerk of the Court." Include the full names of both parties at the time of the marriage (including maiden name), the date of marriage, and your return mailing address. In-person requests are handled at the 2nd floor Licensing Department during regular business hours.

Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal, which is required for name changes, passport applications, estate proceedings, and government benefits. Plain copies are sufficient for personal or genealogical use but are not accepted for most legal purposes.

Historical Marriage Records for Dundalk

Baltimore County was established in 1659 and is one of Maryland's oldest counties. Historical marriage records from the 17th through early 20th centuries are held at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. The Maryland State Archives also has Baltimore County marriage license indexes covering 1851 to 1886 and marriage record indexes from 1885 to 1890 available online.

The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide explains what Baltimore County collections are available and how to access them. Online name indexes allow searches for some historical periods without visiting the Archives in person. The FamilySearch guide on Maryland marriage records covers both Baltimore County and Baltimore City collections and explains the differences between the two jurisdictions. That distinction matters for Dundalk, which is in Baltimore County, not the city.

The Maryland State Archives is in Annapolis. 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 Baltimore County Circuit Court in Towson is the direct source. Contact the clerk's office for the current process and fees.

Nearby Cities

Dundalk is in eastern Baltimore County and is close to several qualifying cities in the Baltimore metro area.