Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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Who hasn't dreamed of running off with your first crush and getting married? And what parent hasn't worried about a child doing just that? If you're wondering if it can really happen, you're probably curious about what the legal age is to get married in Maryland. The short answer is that it depends on whether the parents have given the kids permission to get hitched. Here's a quick summary of the marriage age requirements in Maryland.
Once you turn 18, you can get married with relatively few restrictions. However, there are state marriage age requirement laws that apply to minors. Some states, like Maryland, will allow younger partners with a child (or expecting a child) to get married, and a few states have no statutory age limits. Maryland's marriage age laws require parental consent for minors aged 16 to 17.
Marriage laws in Maryland are highlighted in the chart below.
Code Section |
Fam. Law 2-301 |
Minimum Legal Age With Parental Consent |
Male: 16; Female: 16 |
Minimum Legal Age Without Parental Consent |
Male: 18; Female: 18 |
Comments |
Minors under 15 yrs. old may not marry. Minors 15 yrs. old may obtain license in case of pregnancy or birth of child with parental consent. |
Even the most fairy tale wedding has to jump through a few hoops: the technical marriage requirements and the actual marriage license. Maryland residents must apply for a marriage license at the Circuit Court Clerk in the county in which the marriage will take place. Only one party needs to appear, and must provide full names, a place of residence, ages, states of birth, and social security numbers.
Be aware that if either party was previously married you must provide the date and location of the divorce (or death of previous spouse). The fee is $35, and $5.50 for each certified copy of the marriage certificate. You should check with your local county clerk for any additional requirements, as some counties may require you to pay the fees in cash.
Getting married is a big decision and other state laws on marriage, including Maryland's, can change over time. If you would like legal assistance with a marriage matter, you can contact a Maryland family law attorney. You can also visit FindLaw's section on Getting Married for more articles and resources on this topic.
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