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
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More marriage information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register. Less information is found on the marriage certificate. |
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? |
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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 |
Census Records |
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.
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| 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. |
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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.
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 ($) |
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| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
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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.
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 ($) |
| |||
| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
|||
Marriage Records on Microfilm
District marriage records are available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. Use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) to see what is available.
- District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950; Index 1811-1986
- For a small fee, order the microfilm to view at a local Family Search Center.
Marriages 1914 thru 2003
| Order a copy of the original marriage record | ||||
| Try | ||||
| Order a copy of the license from the District of Columbia Superior Court ($) |
| |||
| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. |
|||
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.
Marriages 2004 thru Present
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