Maryland Marriage Records Search

The demand for running a Maryland marriage records search has increasingly grown. Maryland marriage records are required in all legal institutions, such as banks, social security offices, and health departments. 

Couples who just got married know they cannot apply for spousal benefits, purchase property together or immigrate without submitting Maryland marriage records. 

Therefore, a Maryland marriage records search is essential to ensure the legal name change and proof of marriage on all the legal documents. 

This article will examine how to find marriage records online in Maryland. Additionally, the ways to run free marriage records searches will also be examined in this article.

Maryland Marriage Records

Generally, Maryland marriage records are divided into two types of documents:

• Marriage License

The marriage license is usually issued 60 days before the ceremony and authorizes the couple to get married. 

The marriage license is issued by the local clerk with the goal of stating there were no legal, religious, or health impediments for the marriage to take place.

• Marriage Certificate

On the contrary, the marriage certificate is issued once the ceremony occurs. In most cases, a marriage certificate serves as official marriage proof, which might be required in most legal institutions. The following information is written on the marriage certificate:

- Names of the Spouses
- Birth Dates of the Spouses
- Addresses (Residence)
- Occupation of the Spouses
- Parent`s Full Names
- Witnesses' Names
- Name of Officiating Minister of Registrar
- Religious Denomination of the Spouses
- Place and Date of the Ceremony

Maryland marriage records are considered vital records, which can be found in any vital or state health office. 

However, there is also an online database where you can browse all the Maryland marriage records online.

Who is Eligible to Run a Maryland Marriage Records Online?

Generally, the only requirement you need to satisfy when running a Maryland marriage records search is the age requirement. 

Everybody who wants to run a Maryland marriage records search must be older than 18 years. Whether you want to run free marriage records search with your own Maryland marriage records or those of your friends or family members, you need to do the following:

1. Pay a fee mentioned on the website

As it is stated on the website, you will not be able to download any certified copy of Maryland marriage records if you do not pay a fee of $12. You could pay by cash, check, or money order.

2. Fill out the written request to run a Maryland marriage records search.

Make sure you mention the following information on the written request to run the Maryland marriage records search:

• Personal and contact information of the requested personal Data of the party whose name is on the record

• Relationship between the requestor and the party on the record (e.g., father, mother, son, daughter, husband, sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, legal guardian, etc.)

• The reason for the request (e.g., insurance proceeds, authentication, death benefits, private purposes, etc.)

• The date of marriage

• The place of marriage

• Scope of search required (statewide or county limited)
Additionally, you will be asked to provide an ID photo to run it.

How to Find Marriage Records Online in Maryland?

Having identified whether you are eligible to find marriage records in Maryland, you can answer the question of how to find marriage records online in Maryland. 

In essence, there are not so many options to run a free marriage records search. However, you can use the following three platforms to run it:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website | (cdc.gov)

CDC website should be the first tool you use when attempting to run a free marriage records search. The website provides you with the information about the requirements to run a search and redirects you to the official Maryland Department of Health Website to run one.

Maryland Department of Health Website | (health.maryland.gov)

Once you open the website, you can amend the existing marriage records in Maryland in case of a mistake. Additionally, you can find any of the needed Maryland marriage records online at a small fee of $12 per certified copy.

Independent Platform | (backgroundcheck.co)

This is the third platform you need to use when attempting to run a Maryland marriage records search. 

If the marriage records in Maryland you found do not provide you with the background information on the parties whose names are mentioned on the Maryland marriage records, you can run an additional search on backgroundcheck.co. You will be able to find the following information on the website:

· Employment and Education History
· Contact Information
· Civil and Criminal Court Records (if applicable)

This article has explained how to find marriage records online in Maryland. 

If you have more questions about finding marriage records online in Maryland, contact the vital records office via phone or email.