Frederick Marriage Records

Frederick marriage records are maintained by the Frederick County Circuit Court, which is located in downtown Frederick at 100 West Patrick Street. Frederick is the county seat, so the courthouse is right in the city.

Frederick County Circuit Court - Marriage Office

The Circuit Court for Frederick County is at 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701. This is the county seat and the direct place for all marriage license applications, certified copy requests, and civil ceremony scheduling. The phone number for the marriage license office is 301-600-1965. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Frederick is the largest city in Frederick County and the county seat. The courthouse is walkable from much of downtown Frederick, which makes it convenient for city residents. There is no need to travel to another city or county office. Everything related to Frederick County marriage records runs through this one location on West Patrick Street.

The Frederick County marriage license page covers the current fee, waiting period, and application rules. The clerk's office main page has contact details and hours. Check those links before your visit to confirm there have been no recent changes.

Getting a Marriage License in Frederick

Both people who plan to marry must appear together at the clerk's office to apply for a Frederick County marriage license. You cannot apply by mail for a standard license, and one party cannot apply alone. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. If either person was previously married, bring the divorce decree or death certificate showing the date and place the prior marriage ended.

The license fee in Frederick County is $75. This is one of the higher fees in Maryland. Payment is accepted at the office. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-401, a valid license is required before any Maryland marriage ceremony. Once issued, the 48-hour waiting period under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-405 applies before the license becomes effective. The license is valid for six months from the issue date. If you do not use it within that period, you must apply and pay again.

Non-residents who want to marry in Frederick County can use the Non-Resident Marriage License Application-Affidavit. You fill out the form, have it sworn before a comparable official in your home state, and mail it along with a certified check or money order for $75. Personal checks are not accepted for mail applications. The ceremony must take place in Frederick County. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-406, the license is only valid in the county where it was issued.

Civil Ceremonies at the Frederick Courthouse

The Frederick County Clerk's office performs civil marriage ceremonies for $25. Ceremonies are by appointment, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. To book your ceremony, call 301-600-1965 after your license has been issued. You must be past the 48-hour waiting period before you can hold the ceremony.

Frederick County offers two settings for civil ceremonies. You can hold the ceremony inside the clerk's office, or you can choose the front courtyard of the courthouse for an outdoor ceremony. The outdoor option is available in spring and fall when the weather allows. This sets Frederick County apart from most Maryland clerk offices, which only offer indoor ceremonies. Cameras are permitted at civil ceremonies in Frederick County, so feel free to bring a photographer or ask a guest to take photos. Both options are available at no extra cost beyond the $25 ceremony fee.

Certified Copies of Frederick Marriage Records

Certified copies of Frederick County marriage records cost $5.50 each. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. You can request copies in person at the courthouse or by mail. For mail requests, write to the clerk's office at 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Include both parties' full names as listed on the license, the approximate year of marriage, the number of copies you need, and a return address and phone number. Make payment by check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court."

Certified copies carry the clerk's official seal and are required for legal purposes such as name changes, passport applications, estate work, and government benefits forms. A plain copy does not carry the seal and is not accepted for most official uses. For other types of court records, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides online access, though it does not contain images of marriage licenses.

Historical Frederick County Marriage Records

Frederick County has a strong set of historical marriage records going back to 1778. The Maryland State Archives holds Frederick County marriage license indexes from 1778 to 1851 and 1851 to 1865, along with marriage record indexes from 1865 to 1890. These collections are available through the Archives search room in Annapolis and some are searchable online.

The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide explains what date ranges are covered for Frederick County and how to access them. For researchers working on 19th and early 20th century marriages, the online indexes at the Archives are a good starting point before visiting in person. The FamilySearch Frederick County genealogy wiki lists digitized collections and provides research tips specific to the county.

Frederick has a long history as a major Maryland city, and marriage records from the county often include detailed information about both parties, particularly in older documents. Earlier licenses sometimes list ages, occupations, parents' names, and places of birth. More recent records follow the standard Maryland license format. For any record from 1993 forward, the courthouse in Frederick is the primary source. For older records, the Maryland State Archives is the best place to start.

The Maryland State Archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis allows online ordering for some historical records and lists what is available in their research room. The search room is open Tuesday through Friday and on the first Saturday of each month. For records that are only available in the physical search room, you will need to visit in person or contact the Archives to arrange a staff-assisted search.

Nearby Cities

Frederick is in western Maryland and is close to several qualifying cities in Montgomery County and the surrounding area.