Queen Anne's County Marriage Records
Queen Anne's County marriage records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in Centreville, Maryland. If you need a certified copy of a marriage record, want to apply for a new marriage license, or are searching historical records, the clerk's office is your starting point. Records held at the courthouse go back to 1817, and older materials are available through the Maryland State Archives. This page explains how to request records, what to expect at the clerk's office, and where to find historical marriage documents from Queen Anne's County.
Queen Anne's County Marriage Records
Queen Anne's County Clerk of Circuit Court
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Queen Anne's County handles all marriage licenses and certified copy requests. The office is in Centreville, which is the county seat. Phone number is 410-758-1773. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You can visit in person, mail a request, or contact the office by phone to start the process.
Queen Anne's County is located on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It was created in 1706 and named for Queen Anne of England. Because the county is not large, the clerk's office handles a smaller volume of requests than courthouse offices in more populated areas. That often means faster service and a more direct process for people who come in person or mail their requests.
The Queen Anne's County marriage license page covers current fees, waiting period rules, and civil ceremony options. The Clerk's Office homepage has general contact details and office hours. Check those pages before your visit for any updates.
Note: Civil ceremonies in Queen Anne's County are performed only between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM on weekdays, by appointment only.
Applying for a Queen Anne's County Marriage License
To get a Queen Anne's County marriage license, both parties must appear in person at the clerk's office. You cannot apply by mail for a standard license. Bring a government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. If either person was previously married, you need proof of how that marriage ended, such as a divorce decree or a death certificate showing the date and place the prior marriage was dissolved.
Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-401, a valid license is required before any marriage ceremony in Maryland. The fee in Queen Anne's County is $35. Payment in person is accepted by cash or Visa/MasterCard. Once you pay, the clerk issues the license, but you cannot use it right away. State law under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-405 requires a 48-hour waiting period before the license becomes valid. The license then stays valid for six months from the date it was issued.
If you do not live in Maryland, Queen Anne's County offers a Non-Resident Marriage Application. You fill out the form, have it sworn before a clerk or comparable official in your home state, and mail it along with payment. Out-of-state couples who want a simple, affordable Maryland wedding sometimes choose Queen Anne's County for this reason. The process is straightforward, and the $35 fee is low compared to many other Maryland counties.
The license must be used for a ceremony that takes place in Queen Anne's County. Under Md. Code, Family Law § 2-406, the ceremony must happen in the county where the license was issued. If you plan to marry in a different county, apply there instead. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk, and that returned document becomes the official Queen Anne's County marriage record.
Getting Certified Copies of Queen Anne's County Marriage Records
Certified copies of Queen Anne's County marriage records cost $5.50 each. Plain (uncertified) copies are less. To request certified copies, you can visit the clerk's office in person or mail a written request. The clerk's office has a downloadable request form at courts.state.md.us for mail requests.
The form asks for both parties' full names as they appear on the marriage license, the year of marriage (an approximate year is acceptable if you do not know the exact date), an optional marriage license number, the number of copies you want, and your contact information. Mail payment by cashier's check or money order, payable to "Clerk, Circuit Court for Queen Anne's County." Personal checks are not accepted for mail requests. Include a return address and phone number so the office can contact you if there is a problem.
A certified copy carries the clerk's official seal. That seal is what makes it legally valid for name changes, estate proceedings, insurance claims, and government applications. A plain photocopy will not work for most legal purposes. If you need the record for anything official, request a certified copy rather than a plain copy. Use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search for other court records, though marriage licenses themselves are typically not searchable there.
Civil Ceremonies at the Queen Anne's County Courthouse
The Queen Anne's County Clerk's office offers civil marriage ceremonies. These are simple, courthouse-based ceremonies performed by the clerk or a designated deputy. The fee is $25. Ceremonies are by appointment only and take place at the courthouse in Centreville. The window for civil ceremonies is 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
To book a civil ceremony, contact the clerk's office at 410-758-1773 after you have your license. You must already have your marriage license issued and past the 48-hour waiting period before the ceremony can happen. Civil ceremonies are practical for couples who want a legal marriage without a formal event. They are also useful for situations where speed and simplicity matter more than ceremony planning.
If you need to correct information on a Queen Anne's County marriage record after the fact, the clerk's office has a Correction Request form available. Errors in names or dates can sometimes be fixed with supporting documentation, but the process requires clerk approval and may involve additional steps depending on what needs to change.
Historical Queen Anne's County Marriage Records
The Queen Anne's County marriage license page notes that courthouse records extend back to 1817, making this one of the longer continuous sets in Maryland.
For records older than what the courthouse holds, the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis is the primary resource. The Archives has Queen Anne's County Court Marriage Licenses from 1817-1851 and Circuit Court Marriage Licenses from 1851-1871 and 1887-1890. Marriage records from 1865-1915 and 1866-1927 are also held at the Archives. The Maryland State Archives marriage records guide explains what Queen Anne's County records exist, what date ranges are covered, and how to access them. Researchers can visit the Archives search room in Annapolis or contact the office for assistance.
The Maryland State Archives main site provides access to online indexes for some historical periods. Marriage indexes are searchable by name for many date ranges, making it easier to locate specific records without knowing the exact date. FamilySearch also has a Queen Anne's County genealogy wiki with links to indexed collections and notes on what records have been digitized.
Searching the Maryland Court Records Queen Anne's page and the Queen Anne's County records page can help with more recent records and provide additional context for requests. For current court case information, the Maryland Judiciary Case Search is the main statewide tool, though it does not contain images of actual marriage licenses.
What Queen Anne's County Marriage Licenses Contain
A Queen Anne's County marriage license includes both parties' full legal names, their residences, ages, and states or countries of birth. Social Security numbers are collected at the time of application under state law but do not appear on the license itself. The license shows the date it was issued, the effective date (48 hours after issuance), and the expiration date (six months from issuance). Marital status of both parties is noted, along with any previous marriage details required by the application.
The marriage certificate, which is created after the ceremony when the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk, adds the date and location of the ceremony, the name and title of the person who performed it, and the signatures of witnesses. Certified copies issued by the clerk's office bear the official court seal, which makes them legally valid for purposes such as name changes with government agencies, estate administration, or proof of marital status for benefits.
Note: If you need a Queen Anne's County marriage record for legal purposes, always request a certified copy rather than a plain photocopy, as only certified copies carry the clerk's official seal.
Nearby Counties
Queen Anne's County is on Maryland's Eastern Shore and borders several other counties. Each has its own clerk's office and separate marriage records.