Find Marriage Records in Anne Arundel County

Anne Arundel County marriage records are filed and maintained by the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County in Annapolis. Whether you need to apply for a marriage license, get a certified copy of a past record, or search historical marriage documents, the clerk's office at 8 Church Circle is the place to start. Records held at the courthouse go back to 1905, with earlier records available through the Maryland State Archives.

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County is at 8 Church Circle, Room H101, in Annapolis. The license department handles marriage records, including new applications and certified copy requests. Customer service hours run from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Applications are accepted until 4:00 PM, though credit card transactions are not processed after 4:00 PM. If you plan to pay by card, aim to arrive by 3:45 PM to give yourself enough time.

Anne Arundel County accepts more payment types than most Maryland counties. Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and money orders are all accepted for license fees. That range of options makes it easier to handle payment on the day you apply. The Anne Arundel marriage licenses page at circuitcourt.org is the clearest source for current fees, hours, and payment details. The Circuit Court homepage also has contact info and department links. You can check the county courts and judicial services page for broader courthouse information.

Parking is available near the courthouse. The clerk's website has guidance on where to park if you are coming from outside downtown Annapolis. That detail is worth checking before your visit, since Church Circle can be busy on weekdays.

How to Apply for an Anne Arundel Marriage License

Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office to apply. You cannot send one person alone or submit your application by mail for a standard license. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-401, a marriage license is required before any legal ceremony in Maryland, and the application process requires both parties to be present in person. Each person needs a valid, government-issued photo ID. You will also need your Social Security number. If either applicant was previously married, bring documentation showing how that marriage ended.

The license fee in Anne Arundel County is $55. That is higher than many other Maryland counties. It is one of the notable ways Anne Arundel differs from the rest of the state. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-405, all Maryland counties require a 48-hour waiting period after the application is filed before the license becomes active. In Anne Arundel County, that means your license is valid starting 48 hours after you apply. The license is then good for six months. If you do not use it within that window, you will need to apply again and pay the fee a second time.

Non-residents applying for an Anne Arundel County marriage license use a specific affidavit form. The form number is CCFM066, and you can download it as a PDF from the Maryland courts site. The form must be signed before a clerk or comparable official in your area, then mailed to the Anne Arundel County license department along with your payment. For non-resident applications, only money orders or certified checks are accepted, no personal checks. Mail to: Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Attention: License Department, 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Anne Arundel County Marriage Record Copies

Certified copies of Anne Arundel County marriage records cost $5.50 each. You can request them in person or by mail. In-person payments can be made with cash, a personal check, a cashier's check, a money order, or a credit card, including Apple Pay. Mail requests require a personal check, cashier's check, or money order made payable to "Clerk of the Court." Include the names of both parties, the date of marriage, a license number if you have it, your phone number, and a self-addressed stamped envelope so the office can return the copies to you.

Certified copies carry the official court seal. That seal matters. Most government agencies, including the Social Security Administration, the passport office, and courts in other states, want a certified copy rather than a plain photocopy when you submit proof of marriage. A regular copy you make yourself or receive without a seal will often be rejected. Always ask for certified copies when you are requesting Anne Arundel County marriage records for any legal or official use.

The Maryland Health vital records page offers another route for some marriage-related documents, particularly if you need a state-issued marriage certificate. That document differs slightly from the circuit court's certified copy of the license, so it is worth checking which one you actually need before you submit your request.

Civil Marriage Ceremonies in Anne Arundel County

The Anne Arundel Circuit Court marriage licenses page provides full details on booking a civil ceremony, including scheduling instructions and the updated check-in requirements that took effect December 2024.

The page confirms the $25 civil ceremony fee, the appointment requirement, the guest limit of 18, and the photo ID rule that went into effect as of December 1, 2024.

The clerk's office performs civil marriage ceremonies for $25. No personal checks are accepted for this fee; use cash or another approved payment method. Ceremonies are held by appointment only, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to noon and again from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. You must already have a valid marriage license before you can schedule your ceremony. Do not book the appointment until the 48-hour waiting period on your license has passed.

Up to 18 guests can attend. That is more generous than many Maryland counties that offer civil ceremonies. As of December 1, 2024, everyone getting married at the Anne Arundel courthouse must present a valid government-issued photo ID at check-in. Arrive at least 20 minutes early. If you are late, you may lose your appointment slot and need to reschedule.

Historical Anne Arundel County Marriage Records

The Circuit Court holds Anne Arundel County marriage records from 1905 to the present. For marriages before 1905, the Maryland State Archives is the right place to look. The State Archives Anne Arundel County records guide lists what survives from the period before courthouse records begin. The Archives holds marriage records going back to 1777, though not all years are indexed or digitized.

Marriage licenses from 1865 to 1888 have been indexed and are easier to search. Records from 1899 to 1964 are also indexed at the state level. That means if you are looking for an Anne Arundel County marriage from those periods, you have a decent chance of finding it in the Archives without needing to look through unindexed volumes. The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide explains the full scope of what exists and how to request records for different time periods.

The Anne Arundel County courts and judicial services page provides additional context on the county's court system and public record resources.

The county courts page gives an overview of the offices and services available to residents seeking court records and related public information in Anne Arundel County.

The Maryland Judiciary Case Search lets you look up court case information online, though marriage license records themselves are generally not available through that database. It is more useful for tracking a specific case number or finding court actions tied to a marriage or divorce proceeding. For confirmed certified copies of Anne Arundel County marriage records, the clerk's office remains the direct source.

Anne Arundel Marriage License Records

An Anne Arundel County marriage license lists both parties' full names, including maiden names. It shows the date the license was issued, the date of the ceremony, and the name of the officiant. Witnesses are also named on the returned license after the ceremony takes place. More recent licenses follow a standardized state format. Older records sometimes include ages, places of birth, and parents' names, depending on when they were issued and what information was collected at the time.

The People's Law Library page on marriage licenses and officiants explains who is authorized to perform ceremonies in Maryland and what the requirements are for the officiant to return the completed license to the clerk. That return is what officially creates the Anne Arundel County marriage record. Without it, the marriage may not be properly recorded, which is why officiants are legally required to send the completed license back to the clerk's office promptly after the ceremony.

The Anne Arundel Records site provides public records information and search tools that can supplement official county records when you are trying to locate marriage documents or confirm marriage details from Anne Arundel County.

Cities in Anne Arundel County

Two cities in Anne Arundel County have pages on this site. Both are served by the same Circuit Court clerk's office in Annapolis for marriage license matters.

Nearby Counties

Anne Arundel County borders several other Maryland counties. Each has its own clerk's office and handles marriage records for ceremonies within its boundaries.