Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 2-403

Redline — January 1, 2022 → current.View current text →

Current — January 1, 2023

As of January 1, 2022

(a) (1) A license shall read substantially as follows:

“State of Maryland and County of ........... To any individual authorized by the laws of this State to perform a marriage ceremony. You are hereby authorized to join together in matrimony according to the rules and ceremonies of your church, society or religious sect and the laws of this State, or according to the laws of this State, the following individuals: � � (state here name of intended party one) � � (state here name of intended party two) Given under my hand and seal of the Circuit Court for ............., this ........... day of .................. (state here month and year).” (2) A license shall contain: (i) appropriate spaces in which the clerk shall enter: 1. the relationship of the parties to be married, if any; and 2. as to each party, the name, age, state or foreign country in which born, residence, and marital status (single, widowed, or divorced); and (ii) a statement that the license is valid only: 1. for 6 months from the effective date and time stated on the license; and 2. in the county in which it is issued.

(state here name of intended party one) (state here name of intended party two)Given under my hand and seal of the Circuit Court for , this day of (state here month and year).”

(2) A license shall contain:

(i) appropriate spaces in which the clerk shall enter:

1. the relationship of the parties to be married, if any; and

2. as to each party, the name, age, state or foreign country in which born, residence, and marital status (single, widowed, or divorced); and

(ii) a statement that the license is valid only:

1. for 6 months from the effective date and time stated on the license; and

2. in the county in which it is issued.

(b) (1) Attached to a license shall be 2 certificate forms that: (i) read, “I hereby certify that on this ............ day of ............. (state here month and year), ........ (state here time), at .............. (state here location), in accordance with the license issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for ................. (state here jurisdiction), I united in marriage the following individuals: (ii) restate all information concerning the individuals married that is stated on the marriage license; and (iii) provide a space for the signature of the authorized official who performs the marriage ceremony. (2) Attached to a license, in the case of a Society of Friends marriage ceremony, shall be 2 certificate forms that: (i) read, “We hereby certify that on this .......... day of ........... (state here month and year), ........ (state here time), at ........... (state here location), we, ............... (state here name of party one) and ............... (state here name of party two) were united in marriage in accordance with the ceremony of the Society of Friends and in accordance with the license issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for ........ (state here jurisdiction)”; (ii) restate all information concerning the individuals married that is stated on the marriage license; and (iii) provide spaces for the signatures of the parties and the 2 overseers of the marriage ceremony. ~~� �~~ (state here name of party one) ~~� �~~ (state here name of party two)”; §2–404. (a) (1) The fee for a license is $10. (2) The clerk shall: (i) retain $5 of the fee; and (ii) pay $5 of the fee into the general fund of the county. (3) (i) A party to be married may obtain a replacement for a valid marriage license while the license is valid. (ii) The fee for a replacement license is $10, payable into the General Fund of the State. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this section: (1) any county or group of 2 or more counties may set an additional fee of up to $25 for each license; and (2) the proceeds shall be used to fund domestic violence programs.

(b) (1) Attached to a license shall be 2 certificate forms that: (i) read, “I hereby certify that on this ............ day of ............. (state here month and year), ........ (state here time), at .............. (state here location), in accordance with the license issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for ................. (state here jurisdiction), I united in marriage the following individuals: (ii) restate all information concerning the individuals married that is stated on the marriage license; and (iii) provide a space for the signature of the authorized official who performs the marriage ceremony. (2) Attached to a license, in the case of a Society of Friends marriage ceremony, shall be 2 certificate forms that: (i) read, “We hereby certify that on this .......... day of ........... (state here month and year), ........ (state here time), at ........... (state here location), we, ............... (state here name of party one) and ............... (state here name of party two) were united in marriage in accordance with the ceremony of the Society of Friends and in accordance with the license issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for ........ (state here jurisdiction)”; (ii) restate all information concerning the individuals married that is stated on the marriage license; and (iii) provide spaces for the signatures of the parties and the 2 overseers of the marriage ceremony. (state here name of intended party one) (state here name of intended party two)”;

(1) the County Council may set by ordinance an additional fee of up to $45 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the general fund of the county each month; and

(3) the County Council shall distribute the proceeds to promote or fund domestic violence programs.

(d) In Baltimore City:

(1) the Mayor and City Council shall set by resolution an additional fee of up to $75 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the Mayor and City Council each month; and

(3) the proceeds shall be used to fund domestic violence programs that have 24–hour intake ability.

(e) In Baltimore County:

(1) in addition to the fee authorized under subsection (b)(1) of this section, the County Council may set by resolution an additional fee of up to $15 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the Director of Finance of the county each month;

(3) the proceeds, in addition to designated federal, State, and county funds, shall be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs established under Title 4, Subtitle 5 of this article; and

(4) the County Executive shall prepare and make available an annual report on or before December 1 of each year on the disposition of fees collected under this subsection during the previous fiscal year.

(f) In Calvert County:

(1) the Board of County Commissioners may set an additional fee of up to $55 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Commissioners each month; and

(3) the proceeds shall be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs in Calvert County.

(g) In Cecil County:

(1) the Board of County Commissioners shall set an additional fee of $20 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Treasurer each month;

(3) the proceeds in addition to designated federal funds and county funds shall be given to the Cecil County Department of Social Services Advisory Board to be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs; and

(4) the Cecil County Department of Social Services Advisory Board shall prepare and make available to the Board of County Commissioners an annual report on or before December 1 of each year of the disposition of fees collected under this subsection during the previous fiscal year.

(h) In Charles County:

(1) the Board of County Commissioners may set an additional fee of up to $35 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Commissioners each month; and

(3) the proceeds shall be used to fund domestic violence programs located in Charles County.

(i) In Frederick County:

(1) the Board of County Commissioners may set an additional fee, in an amount not to exceed $65, for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Commissioners each month; and

(3) the proceeds, in addition to designated federal, State, and county funds, shall be used to fund domestic violence programs established under Title 4, Subtitle 5 of this article.

(j) In Garrett County:

(1) the Board of County Commissioners may set an additional fee of up to $40 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Commissioners each month; and

(3) the proceeds shall be used to fund domestic violence programs in Garrett County.

(k) In Harford County:

(1) the County Council may set by resolution an additional fee of up to $40 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall:

(i) retain 3% of the proceeds from the additional fee for processing;

(ii) pay $5 of the proceeds from each license to the Harford County Sexual Assault/Spousal Abuse Resource Center, Inc.; and

(iii) pay the remaining proceeds to the Treasurer of Harford County each month;

(3) the county:

(i) shall use the proceeds, in addition to designated federal, State, and county funds, to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs; and

(ii) may make in-kind contributions to battered spouse and domestic violence programs; and

(l) In Howard County:

(1) the County Council may set by resolution an additional fee of up to $50 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the Director of Finance of the county each month;

(m) In Montgomery County:

(1) the County Council may set by resolution an additional fee of up to $45 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the Director of Finance of the county each month;

(3) the proceeds, in addition to designated federal, State, and county funds, shall be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs; and

(n) In Prince George’s County:

(1) the County Council may set by resolution an additional fee of up to $60 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the Director of Finance of the county, who shall distribute the proceeds to the Community Crisis Services, Inc., each month;

(3) if the Community Crisis Services, Inc., changes its name or objectives or ceases to exist, the proceeds, in addition to designated federal, State, and county funds, shall be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs; and

(o) In Washington County:

(1) the Board of County Commissioners may set an additional fee of up to $50 for each license;

(2) the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Commissioners each month; and

(3) the proceeds shall be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs in Washington County.

Official source: Maryland General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Maryland statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.