You're getting married. Congrats! Between picking out a venue like the Liriodendron Mansion or one of those rustic barns in Darlington and arguing over whether a donut wall is "too 2018," you actually have to do the legal bit. Honestly, obtaining a marriage license in Harford County MD is one of those tasks that feels like it should be a quick errand, but if you show up at the wrong time or without the right ID, the whole wedding timeline gets messy.
Maryland law is specific. It isn’t just some "fill out a form online" situation. You have to physically go to the courthouse. Specifically, the one in Bel Air.
Most people think they can just wing it. They can't. If you’re a Maryland resident, you have to apply in the county where the ceremony will take place. This is a huge point of confusion. If you live in Baltimore County but you’re getting married at a vineyard in Street or a waterfront spot in Havre de Grace, you must visit the Harford County Circuit Court. No exceptions.
The Courthouse Reality Check
The Circuit Court for Harford County is located at 20 West Courtland Street in Bel Air. It’s that big, imposing brick building that basically anchors the downtown area.
Parking is usually the first hurdle. There’s a parking garage nearby, and street parking is hit or miss depending on if the court is in a busy trial session. You’ll walk in, go through security (leave your pocketknives at home, seriously), and head to the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office.
The Clerk’s office is generally open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. But here’s the kicker: they usually stop processing new license applications by 4:00 p.m. because the paperwork takes a bit of time. If you stroll in at 4:15 p.m. hoping for a quick signature, you're going to be disappointed.
Who Actually Needs to Show Up?
In Harford County, only one of you needs to be there in person to apply. That’s a bit of a relief if your partner is stuck at work or living out of state. However, the person who shows up has to have all the info for both parties.
You’ll need:
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- Full names (including middle names)
- Current places of residence
- Ages and dates of birth
- Social Security numbers (they are required by law, even if you aren't a resident)
- Places of birth (State or Country)
- Marital status (Are you single, divorced, or widowed?)
If either of you has been married before, you need the specifics. This isn't just "Oh, I got divorced a few years ago." You need the exact date, the county, and the state where the divorce was finalized. If you’re a widow or widower, you need the date of death. You don't necessarily need the physical decree in your hand, but you have to swear under oath that the info is 100% accurate.
The Cost and the "Waiting Game"
Let’s talk money. A marriage license in Harford County MD costs $30.00.
Cash is easiest. They also take credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), but be prepared for a small convenience fee. Personal checks? Forget about it. They generally don't want them.
Once you pay the fee and sign the papers, you don't just walk out and get married five minutes later. Maryland has a mandatory 48-hour waiting period.
The clock starts the moment you apply. If you apply at 10:00 a.m. on a Thursday, you can’t legally say "I do" until 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. This trips up couples who try to do everything the day before a Friday wedding. Don't be those people. It’s stressful and totally avoidable.
The license is valid for six months. You have a huge window to get it done. Just get it over with a month before the wedding so it's one less thing on your plate.
The Age Requirement Nuance
Maryland recently updated its laws regarding age. You used to be able to get married at 16 or 17 with parental consent. That has changed.
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As of 2022, the minimum age to marry in Maryland is 18. There are almost no exceptions to this now. The state moved to prevent forced marriages of minors, so if you are under 18, you simply cannot get a license in Bel Air or anywhere else in the state.
Non-Resident Applications: The "Affidavit" Loophole
What if neither of you lives in Harford County?
If you both live out of state—say, you’re from Pennsylvania but you’re having a destination wedding at a Harford County park—you can apply by mail via a Non-Resident Affidavit.
You’ll need to download the form from the Clerk’s website, take it to a Notary Public in your home state, and have it notarized. Then you mail it back to the Bel Air courthouse with the $30.00 fee (usually via a money order in this specific case). It takes time. Do not do this two weeks before the wedding. Give it a month for the mail and processing.
The Ceremony: Making it Legal
Getting the license is only half the battle. The license itself is just a piece of paper that says you can get married. It doesn't mean you are married.
You need an officiant. In Maryland, this can be an official of a religious body, a Judge, or a Clerk of the Court.
Interestingly, Maryland does not require "official" registration for ministers. If your best friend got ordained online through the Universal Life Church specifically to marry you, that is perfectly legal in Harford County. They just have to sign the license and return it to the courthouse within five days of the ceremony.
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Courthouse Weddings in Bel Air
If you want a simple "justice of the peace" style wedding, the Clerk’s office can do it right there in the courthouse.
It costs an additional $25.00.
They usually perform these ceremonies during business hours, but you should definitely call ahead to schedule. You can’t always just walk in and demand a ceremony on the spot if the judge or clerk is slammed with other duties. It’s a small, functional room—not exactly a cathedral—but it gets the job done for $55 total.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
People mess this up all the time. Here are the most frequent blunders:
- The Expiration Date: The license is good for six months. If your wedding is postponed for a year, you have to buy a new one.
- The Wrong County: If your reception is in Harford but the ceremony is over the line in Baltimore County, you need a Baltimore County license. The ceremony location is the only thing that determines jurisdiction.
- Social Security Numbers: If you don't have a Social Security number (common for international citizens), you usually have to provide a "Letter of Ineligibility" from the Social Security Administration. This adds weeks to the process.
- The Return Trip: Often, the officiant forgets to mail the white copy back to the court. If they don't, the state has no record of your marriage. Always double-check with your officiant that they sent it in.
Moving Forward with Your Harford County Marriage License
Once the ceremony is over and the license is returned to the Clerk’s office, you’ll probably want "Certified Copies." You don't get these for free. They usually cost about $5.50 each.
You’ll need these for everything: changing your name with Social Security, updating your driver’s license at the MVA (which is just down the road on Route 22), and changing your health insurance. Buy at least three copies. It’s worth the extra twenty bucks to not have to go back to the courthouse later.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your calendar: Ensure your application date is at least 48 hours before your ceremony, but no more than 6 months prior.
- Gather the data: Text your partner right now and confirm their Social Security number and the exact date of any prior divorce.
- Plan the trip: Set a morning aside to visit 20 West Courtland Street. Aim for 9:00 a.m. on a Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid the Monday rush or the Friday "last minute" crowd.
- Secure payment: Grab a $50 bill to cover the license and a couple of certified copies later.
By handling these logistics early, you ensure that the only thing you're stressing about on your wedding day is whether the catering is on time or if your uncle is going to make an embarrassing toast. The legal part is simple, as long as you follow the rules of the Harford County Circuit Court.