How to Find Maryland Marriage Records

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How To Find U.S. Marriage Records How To Find Maryland Marriage Records

Finding Maryland Marriage Records

Next Step: When did the marriage occur?		Marriage Records Choose a time period: 1640 thru 1776 1777 thru 1864 1865 thru 1885 1886 thru 1913 1914 thru 2003 2004 thru Present Marriage year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages 1640 thru 1776

• Maryland's earliest marriage records are indexes which refer to records which imply marriage information.  The dates refer to the record, not the date of the marriage.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

Maryland Death Index Only
Try: 1st
	Maryland Marriage References by Robert Barnes online at Maryland State Archives	Free; name index
	Marriage Licenses and Records Index 1649-1886 online at Maryland State Archives	Free; name index and card file, select the word link to see index cards
Try 2nd:
Ancestry Database - Choose one of the following:
	1655-1850 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	1655-1850 - use your Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
	Can't access Ancestry?	Go to Step Two listed below. You may be able to order the marriage record for your ancestor from the Maryland State Archives.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record

Copies Marriage records may be available from the Maryland State Archives.

To Order Marriage Records
You know the marriage date from the index		You do not know the marriage date
Maryland State Archives		Maryland State Archives
Request a copy		The archives will search for one name in one index, and provide one document for their fee

Marriage Records on Microfilm

Some records may also be available at your local FamilySearch Center. Use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

• Search the FHLC by county, then vital records.
• Select the topic Vital Records.
• For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for marriage information in other records.

1. Look first in	2. Then search
Church Records Newspapers Military Records Obituaries	Census Records Cemetery Records Death Records Bible Records

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1777 thru 1864

District of Columbia Marriage Database - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try:
	Maryland Marriages, 1666-1970	Free; name index online at FamilySearch.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm

Some records may also be available at your local FamilySearch Center. Use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

• Search the FHLC by county, then vital records.
• Select the topic Vital Records.
• For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1865 thru 1885

Order a copy of the original marriage record
Try
	Order a copy of the license from the District of Columbia Superior Court ($)	You must provide full names, maiden names, and date of the marriage. Plain copies are less expensive than certified copies. Indexes and copies are available on microfilm thru 1986. See Marriage Records on Microfilm below.  You may order a copy in person or by mail. Clerk of the Superior Court of Washington D.C. 500 Indiana Ave NW, Room 2500 Washington, D.C. 20001
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
District marriage records are available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. Use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

• District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950; Index 1811-1986
• For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1886 thru 1913

Order a copy of the original marriage record
Try
	Order a copy of the license from the District of Columbia Superior Court ($)	You must provide full names, maiden names, and date of the marriage. Plain copies are less expensive than certified copies. Indexes and copies are available on microfilm thru 1986. See Marriage Records on Microfilm below.  You may order a copy in person or by mail. Clerk of the Superior Court of Washington D.C. 500 Indiana Ave NW, Room 2500 Washington, D.C. 20001
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
District marriage records are available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. Use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

• District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950; Index 1811-1986
• For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages 1914 thru 2003

Order a copy of the original marriage record
Try
	Order a copy of the license from the District of Columbia Superior Court ($)	You must provide full names, maiden names, and date of the marriage. Plain copies are less expensive than certified copies. Indexes and copies are available on microfilm thru 1986. See Marriage Records on Microfilm below.  You may order a copy in person or by mail. Clerk of the Superior Court of Washington D.C. 500 Indiana Ave NW, Room 2500 Washington, D.C. 20001
No marriage record for your ancestor?		Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information

Marriage Records on Microfilm
District marriage records are available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. Use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.

• District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950; Index 1811-1986
• For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles

• Maryland Vital Records: Marriages
• Learn more about U.S. marriage records
• How to find U.S. birth records
• How to find U.S. marriage records
• How to find U.S. death records
• United States Record Selection Table
• United States, How to Use Marriage Records
• United States Marriage Records
• United States Vital Records
• U.S. Vital Records Overview
• Locating United States Vital Records
  

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