Just over the Pennsylvania border is the state of Maryland and beyond that is Washington D.C. While Washington D.C. is not an official state, it does however have its own marriage laws which we will explore in this installment of our series looking at marriage laws across the United States. A few days into this and we haven’t even left the East Coast, but we’ve reached the Mid-Atlantic, so we should be heading west any day now.
Maryland
Maryland marriage laws are an interesting mix. As with many states, you do not have to be a resident of the state to get married there although you do need to obtain your marriage license in the county where you intend to get married. Only one applicant is required to be present in order to apply for a marriage license (this is different from other states that require both of you to be present).
Applicants aged 18-21 must show proof of identification (driver’s license or birth certificate), however if you are over 21, you should bring your identification anyway. The average marriage license costs between $35 and $60. You can pay in cash or with a credit card. The state also offers a discount on the marriage license fee if you have completed a pre-marital preparation course that is state recognized.
There is a 48-hour waiting period following your license application. Maryland has no covenant marriage option and does not require a blood test. There is no allowance for proxy marriage, though cousin marriage is allowed.
Same-sex marriage is still not legal although a Circuit Court judge struck down a 33 year-old state law that defined a marriage as a union between a man and a woman. There is an appeal pending to the state’s higher court.
Marriage law governing under age marriage is a little more complicated:
- If you are between the ages of 16 and 18, you need to have one parent present providing written consent for the marriage license
- For applicants under 16, both parents must provide written consent along with written approval from the Judge of the Orphan’s Court Division
- Applicants under 18 who are pregnant or who already have a child may waive parental consent if they have a certificate from a licensed physician detailing the pregnancy
To obtain a copy of your Maryland Marriage Certificate:
Maryland Division of Vital Records
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
P.O. Box 68760
Baltimore, MD 21215-0020
410-764-3038
Washington D.C.
Although the District of Columbia is not a state, the marriage laws governing getting married there are a little more complex. For example, you need to prove your age eligibility with your driver’s license, passport or birth certificate. You will also have to provide your address, date of birth, home and work phone numbers as well as your social security number. You do not have to be a resident of the District of Columbia to apply for a license there.
You do have a five-day waiting period and you have to show your receipt when you come to retrieve your marriage license. You will also have to have a certified blood test for syphilis to obtain a marriage license. Your blood test is only valid for 30 days. Proxy marriage is not allowed, but cousin marriage and common-law marriage is.
Same-sex marriages are also not legal in D.C. Under age applicants need written parental consent, but applicants under the age of 16 cannot get married in D.C. To obtain a copy of your Washington D.C. Marriage Certificate:
Vital Records Department
825 North Capitol Street NE
1st Floor, Room 1312
Washington DC 20002
202-442-9009
The above information should be taken as guidance only, legal requirements for state and county marriage licenses change often. Please verify the necessary paperwork and more with the office of the county clerk prior to making your wedding plans
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