Howard County Marriage Records

Thank you for visiting this page. We aim to give you the best help for your search for Howard County Maryland Marriage Records. Our goal is to offer clear facts. We hope this page makes your task easy. Let us guide you to the right place.

If you want to begin searching right now, visit https://marylandofficialrecords.com/howard-county-marriage-records/ to start your Howard County Maryland Marriage Records quest. This resource allows you to start looking for records quickly. It helps find information you may need. Check the site if you need fast access. It is a useful tool for many record searches in the area. Find the marriage details you seek there.

Finding Howard County Maryland Marriage Records

You have two main places to look for these records. Where you look depends on how old the record is. Recent records are often at the county court. Older ones go to the state archives. Know the date of the marriage. This will help you choose the right office. Both places have rules and fees.

Howard County Circuit Court Clerk (Recent Records)

The Clerk of the Circuit Court issues marriage licenses in Howard County. They keep records of these licenses too. If the marriage took place in Howard County recently, start here. The office is part of the state court system. They handle many types of court papers. This includes marriage license applications and the final recorded licenses. You need a certified copy for most legal uses. The Clerk provides these copies for a fee. They ensure the copy is true and official.

The office address is 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043. You can call the Marriage License Department at 410-313-5850. The main court number is 410-313-2111. Office hours are usually 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on week days. It is wise to call first. Ask about specific hours for marriage record requests. They hold marriage license records issued within the county. To get a copy, you can go there in person. Or you can mail a request. Use the "Application for Certified Copy of Marriage License" form. You can likely find this form on their site. You need the names of both people. You also need the date of the marriage. The fee is $5.50 for each certified copy. Make checks or money orders out to "Clerk, Circuit Court for Howard County" for mail requests. They take cash and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) if you go in person. Find more info on their site: https://www.courts.state.md.us/clerks/howard/marriage. This site has forms and current details. Always check for the latest fees and rules. They can change over time. Plan your visit or mail request well.

Maryland State Archives (Older Records)

The Maryland State Archives keeps older state and county records. This includes old marriage records from Howard County. If the marriage happened many years ago, check here. The Archives holds records that are too old for the county clerk. This transfer happens by law. These records are vital for family history research. They are also used for some legal needs. The Archives has trained staff. They can help you find what you need. They have large search rooms. They also offer ways to get copies by mail or online. Their goal is to save and share Maryland's past. This includes important life events like marriage.

The Archives are located at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401. Their phone number is 410-260-6400. There is also a Maryland toll free number: (800) 235-4045. You can email them at msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov. Check their site for current search room hours. They hold records from before 1990. Some records go up to 2014. Check their site for the exact years they have for Howard County. You can order certified copies online. Use their Certified Marriage Order Form. You can also ask by mail or visit them. You will need full names of both people. You need the place (Howard County) and the date or year of marriage. The cost is $25.00 for each copy. This fee pays for the search too. It is not refunded if they find no record.

• Main Archives Website: https://msa.maryland.gov/

• Online Order Form: https://shop.msa.maryland.gov/orders/OrderForms/Marriage.aspx

• Marriage Records Info Page: https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/refserv/indexes/html/marriage.html

What is a Maryland Marriage Record?

It is good to know the terms used. Maryland has marriage licenses. It also has marriage certificates. They are not the same thing. One lets you get married. The other proves you are married. Knowing which one you need helps your search. Public access also has rules.

Marriage License vs. Marriage Certificate

A marriage license gives permission to marry. You get this before the wedding. The Howard County Circuit Court Clerk issues it. Both people must apply. They give names, ages, addresses. They also list prior marriages if any. Social Security numbers are needed by law. But they do not show on the license itself. The license has a wait time. It is usually valid for 6 months.

A marriage certificate is proof of marriage. It is filled out after the ceremony. The person who performs the marriage signs it. This person could be a judge or religious leader. They must return it to the Circuit Court Clerk. The clerk then records it. A certified copy of this recorded document is official proof. You often need this copy to change your name. Or for proof for jobs or banks. The State Archives may hold older certificates. The Circuit Court holds recent ones.

Public Access Rules

Are Howard County Maryland Marriage Records public? It depends on age. Older records are often open to the public. The Maryland State Archives holds many such old records. Records over 50 years old are often public. You can search indexes for these. More recent records have limits. Only the people on the record can get certified copies. Their lawyers or agents can too. This protects privacy for recent events. The Maryland Public Information Act (PIA) sets the rules. It defines what government information is public. Access rules balance privacy with public interest. You can learn more about the PIA from state sources. The link below gives general info. Specific rules apply to vital records like marriage licenses.

• Maryland Public Information Act Overview: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/mpia.html

How to Request Howard County Maryland Marriage Records

Getting copies involves specific steps. Follow the steps for the right office. The Circuit Court handles recent records. The State Archives handles older ones. Be sure you have the needed information. Also be ready to pay the required fees. Plan ahead for processing time.

Steps for Circuit Court Requests (Recent Licenses)

If the marriage license was issued in Howard County recently, contact the Circuit Court Clerk. First, know if you need a certified copy. This is needed for legal proof. Gather the full names of both parties. Get the exact date of the marriage if you can. Decide if you will go in person or mail your request. If you go in person, visit the Clerk's office. The address is 9250 Judicial Way, Suite 1900, Ellicott City. Pay the $5.50 fee for each copy. You can use cash or specific credit cards. If you request by mail, get the application form. It is called "Application for Certified Copy of Marriage License". Fill it out fully. Include the names and marriage date. Send the form with a check or money order. It must be for $5.50 per copy. Make it payable to "Clerk, Circuit Court for Howard County". Mail it to their address: 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Call them at 410-313-5850 if you have questions first. This process is quite clear. Following the steps helps avoid delays.

Steps for State Archives Requests (Older Records)

For older Howard County Maryland Marriage Records, use the Maryland State Archives. First, check if they have the records for the year you need. Their online order form page shows date ranges they hold. Link: https://shop.msa.maryland.gov/orders/OrderForms/Marriage.aspx. Gather the full names of both people. Note the place was Howard County. Know the year the marriage took place. An exact date is best if known. The easiest way to order is online. Use the Certified Marriage Order Form linked above. Fill in all required details carefully. You must pay the fee when you order. The cost is $25.00 per record search and certified copy. This fee is charged even if no record is found. You can pay by credit card on the form. Once you submit, the Archives staff will search. They will mail you the certified copy if found. If they do not find the record, they mail a letter saying so. Allow time for the search and mail delivery. This path works well for old records. It is key for family history work. It helps find proof from long ago.

Information Needed for Howard County Marriage Record Search

To find the right record, you need good information. Giving full details helps the clerk or archivist search. Missing information can slow things down. It might even stop the search. Be sure you have these key facts.

• Full Names: Provide the full legal names of both parties. Use the names they used at the time of marriage. Include the bride's maiden name. Middle names or initials are also helpful if known. Correct spelling is very important for success.

• Date of Marriage: The exact date (month, day, year) is best. If you do not know the exact date, give the year. For older records at the Archives, a range of years might work. But a smaller range makes the search faster and easier.

• Place of Marriage: Confirm the marriage took place in Howard County. The Circuit Court only has licenses issued there. For State Archives searches, you must state the county. This ensures they look in the right records collection.

Costs for Howard County Maryland Marriage Records

There are fees to get copies of marriage records. The cost depends on where you get the record. Fees help cover the cost of keeping records. They also pay for the search time. Know the cost before you send a request.

Howard County Circuit Court Clerk Fees

• Certified Copy of Marriage License: The fee is $5.50 for each copy.

• Payment Methods:

  • In Person: Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover credit cards.

  • By Mail: Check or Money Order payable to "Clerk, Circuit Court for Howard County".

Maryland State Archives Fees

• Certified Copy of Marriage Record: The fee is $25.00 for each record requested. This includes the search cost. The fee is non-refundable. They charge it even if no record is found.

• Payment Methods: Credit card (via online form), check, or money order.