Marriage records in Howard County, Maryland can be accessed through several channels. HowardCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for Howard County. You can also obtain records directly from the Clerk of the Circuit Court, which issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records on file. In-person visits to the clerk's office in Ellicott City are accepted during business hours, and mail-in requests are another option. The Maryland Division of Vital Records also maintains statewide marriage records for events recorded since 1951.
Howard County Marriage Records Search
In Maryland, marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in each county. The Howard County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the issuing authority for marriage licenses in Howard County and serves as the custodian of local marriage records. The collection includes marriage license applications, issued licenses, and certificates of marriage returned by officiants after the ceremony. Historical Howard County marriage records — particularly older documents — may also be available through the Maryland State Archives in electronic, microfilm, and original formats. For statewide verification of marriages that occurred on or after January 1, 1951, the Maryland Department of Health's Division of Vital Records (DVR) maintains a parallel record.
Clerk of the Circuit Court for Howard County
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Howard County
Fees for marriage record services in Howard County are set by Maryland statute and the Clerk's Office fee schedule. The table below reflects standard fees; contact the Clerk's Office to confirm current amounts before submitting a request.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license application | $55.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage certificate (from Clerk's Office) | $20.00 |
| Certified copy from Maryland DVR (state-level) | $25.00 |
Fees are established under Maryland Family Law Article and the Maryland Courts fee schedule. Payment methods accepted at the Clerk's Office typically include cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance may vary — call ahead to confirm. The Maryland DVR accepts online payments when ordering through its VitalChek portal.
Processing times for in-person requests at the Clerk's Office are usually same-day or within a few business days. Mail requests may take several weeks. State-level orders through DVR can take 4–6 weeks for standard processing.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Howard County
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Howard County:
Online
For marriages recorded since 1951, you can order a certified verification or copy through the Maryland Department of Health's Division of Vital Records. The DVR uses VitalChek as its online ordering platform at health.maryland.gov/vsa. Note that the DVR issues verifications of marriage rather than full certified copies of the original license — for a certified copy of the actual marriage license document, you will need to contact the Howard County Clerk's Office directly.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the address listed above during regular business hours. Walk-ins are generally accepted for marriage record requests. Bring a valid photo ID. You can request a certified copy of a marriage license or certificate on file with the office. If you need to submit a judicial records request for older or more complex files, the Clerk's Office can guide you through the process.
By Mail
To request a certified copy of a marriage record by mail, send the following to the Clerk's Office:
- A written request including the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of marriage, and your relationship to the parties
- A copy of your valid government-issued photo ID
- A check or money order for the applicable fee, payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court"
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail your request to:
Allow several weeks for processing of mail requests. For questions, call the Clerk's Office at 410-313-2111.
Older marriage records that have been transferred to the state archives can be researched through the Howard County records collection at the Maryland State Archives. If you are unsure where a particular record is held, the Clerk's Office staff can help direct you to the right source. Additional Howard County public records — including birth certificates and other vital records — are available through the county government website.