Marriage records in Charles County, Maryland, can be accessed through several channels. CharlesCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Charles County — the office that issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Records are available in person at the courthouse in La Plata, by mail, and in some cases through online state portals. Historical records may also be available through the Maryland State Archives.
Charles County Marriage Records Search
In Maryland, marriage licenses are issued and marriage records are maintained at the county level by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Clerk's Office for the Circuit Court of Charles County is the custodian of marriage records for the county. The collection includes marriage license applications, issued marriage licenses, and returned marriage certificates filed after the ceremony. Historical Charles County government records — including older marriage records — are also available in electronic, microfilm, and original formats through the Maryland State Archives. At the state level, the Division of Vital Records within the Maryland Department of Health maintains marriage verification records for marriages that occurred in Maryland.
Clerk of the Circuit Court for Charles County
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Charles County
The Clerk's Office charges fees for marriage record services. In Maryland, the Clerk of the Circuit Court can issue certified copies of marriage licenses on file at the county level. The Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records can provide certified marriage verifications for marriages recorded statewide.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage license fee | $55.00 |
| Certified copy of marriage license (Clerk's Office) | $20.00 |
| Certified marriage certificate/verification (MD Vital Records) | $25.00 |
Fees are set by Maryland statute and may be updated periodically. Contact the Clerk's Office at 301-932-3201 to confirm current fees before submitting a request. Payment methods accepted in person typically include cash, money order, or certified check — call ahead to verify whether credit or debit cards are accepted.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Charles County
There are three main ways to obtain a copy of a marriage record from Charles County:
In Person
Visit the Charles County Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. The staff can search for marriage licenses on file and issue certified copies while you wait, depending on workload.
By Mail
To request a marriage record copy 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 contact information
- A copy of your valid government-issued photo ID
- The applicable fee by money order or certified check payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court"
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail requests to:
Processing times for mail requests vary; allow at least two to three weeks for delivery.
Online
The Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records offers online ordering for marriage verifications through its VitalChek partnership portal for marriages recorded at the state level. Visit the Maryland Division of Vital Records website for details and to access the online order form. Note that the county Clerk's Office does not currently offer online ordering for certified copies of locally filed marriage licenses — those must be requested in person or by mail.
For additional help locating marriage records or other court records in Maryland, you can also check CharlesCourt.us for guidance on accessing publicly available records in Charles County.