Baltimore County Marriage Records Search
Baltimore County marriage records go back to 1777 and are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Towson. This page covers how to search, request copies, and access both current and historical records from that office.
Baltimore County Marriage Records
Baltimore County Marriage License Records: The Clerk's Office
The Baltimore County Circuit Court Clerk handles all marriage license records for the county. The office is on the 2nd floor of the Baltimore County Courts Building at 401 Bosley Avenue in Towson, MD 21204. Hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The license fee is $35. A certified copy costs $5.50. Maryland law under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-401 requires couples to apply in the county where the ceremony will be performed. Both parties must appear in person at the time of application.
There is a 48-hour waiting period after the license is issued. The license is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. If you do not use the license within that window, you need to apply again and pay the fee a second time. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-409, the officiant who performs the ceremony must return the completed certificate to the Circuit Court Clerk within 5 days of the wedding.
How to Get Copies of Baltimore County Marriage Records
Baltimore County stands out from most Maryland counties because it accepts record requests by email. That is not common. Most counties require mail or in-person visits only. For regular (non-certified) copies of Baltimore County marriage records, email ccbaltcoclerklicensing@mdcourts.gov. For certified copies, use a separate address: ccbaltcoclerkmarriages@mdcourts.gov. In both cases, include the last four digits of your credit card in the email. A staff member will then call you to collect the full payment details. Do not send your full card number in the email.
You can also request copies by mail. Send your request to P.O. Box 6754, Towson, MD 21285-6754. Make checks payable to "Clerk of the Court." Your written request should include the full names of both parties at the time of the marriage (including the bride's maiden name), the date of the marriage, and a return mailing address where the copies should be sent.
Note: Debit cards are not accepted at this office. The only credit cards accepted are VISA, MasterCard, and Discover.
Baltimore County Marriage Records at the Courthouse: In-Person Access
Walk-in access is available at the 2nd Floor Licensing Department during regular weekday hours. Staff can look up records, provide copies, and process certified copy requests on the spot. Bring payment in the form of cash, check, or an accepted credit card. If you are searching for a specific record, it helps to have the approximate year and full names of both parties ready before you arrive. The office handles a high volume of requests, so arriving early in the day tends to mean shorter waits.
Civil Ceremonies at Baltimore County Circuit Court
The Baltimore County Circuit Court also performs civil marriage ceremonies. The fee is $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 options are available, though attendance is limited. Check in at the 2nd Floor Licensing Department when you arrive. You must already have a valid marriage license to schedule a civil ceremony. Staff at the office can answer questions about ceremony scheduling and what to expect on the day.
Baltimore County Marriage Records: Historical Research
The Baltimore County Circuit Court holds marriage records going back to 1777, which makes it one of the more complete county collections in Maryland. For older records, especially those predating 1900, the Maryland State Archives is a valuable additional resource. The Archives holds records up through roughly 2003 for many counties. Their marriage records guide explains what is available, how records are organized, and how to request access. The Archives finding aid for Baltimore County lists specific record series and date ranges.
For genealogical research, services like GenealogyBank's Maryland marriage announcements can supplement official records. Newspaper marriage notices often include details not found in the license itself, such as reception location, names of family members, and where the couple planned to live. These are secondary sources only and should not be used as legal proof of marriage.
The Baltimore County marriage records resource below shows the clerk's office information and available search tools for this county.
The clerk's office page confirms current fees, email contact addresses, and mailing instructions for certified copies of marriage records.
Baltimore County Divorce Records
The same Circuit Court Clerk's office that handles marriage records also maintains Baltimore County divorce records. Copies cost $0.50 per page, plus $5 for certification. You can request divorce records by email at CCBaltCoClerkRecords@mdcourts.gov. For a simple verification of divorce (not a certified copy of the decree), the Maryland Vital Statistics Administration offers a statewide divorce verification service covering 1992 to the present. That verification costs $12 and is available through the state health department. It does not serve as a legal decree, only as confirmation that a divorce occurred.
The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide below provides context for older records and research paths for Baltimore County.
The Archives guide outlines record series by county and date range, which helps narrow a search for older Baltimore County marriage records.
Online Search Tools for Baltimore County Marriage Records
Maryland Courts runs a statewide case search portal at casesearch.courts.state.md.us. This tool lets you search by name across all Maryland courts, including the Baltimore County Circuit Court. It is most useful for finding court case numbers and confirming whether a record exists. It does not replace certified copies for legal purposes. The Maryland Courts clerk directory lists current contact information and office hours for the Baltimore County clerk.
The Circuit Court forms page has downloadable forms for various court filings. While not all forms apply to marriage records, this page is useful if you need a written request template or need to fill out paperwork before visiting the office in person.
What Baltimore County Marriage Records Contain
A standard Maryland marriage license includes the full names of both parties, their ages, county of residence, and the date and place of the ceremony. The officiant's name and signature appear on the returned certificate. More recent records may also include Social Security numbers, which are not shown on public copies. Certified copies include the court seal and are accepted as legal proof of marriage by government agencies, lenders, and other institutions. Regular copies are sufficient for most genealogical and personal research purposes.
Note: If you need a certified copy for a name change, passport application, or benefits claim, request the certified version when you contact the clerk's office, as regular copies will not meet those requirements.
Nearby Counties
Marriage licenses for ceremonies outside Baltimore County must be obtained from the clerk's office in the county where the ceremony takes place. Nearby counties with their own Circuit Court Clerk offices include Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County.
Cities in Baltimore County
Baltimore County includes several cities and communities. Cities in this county with their own pages include Dundalk and Towson. Both communities are served by the Baltimore County Circuit Court Clerk at the Towson courthouse.