A Comprehensive Guide to Obtaining a Certified Marriage Certificate Copy in Montgomery County, Maryland, and Securing an Apostille

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If you were married in Montgomery County, Maryland, and need a certified copy of your marriage certificate—perhaps for legal, personal, or international purposes—this guide is for you. Additionally, if you require your marriage certificate to be recognized abroad, you may need an apostille, a certification that authenticates public documents for use in foreign countries. This article provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for obtaining a certified copy from Montgomery County and securing an apostille through the Maryland Secretary of State, based on official government sources.

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Part 1: Obtaining a Certified Copy of Your Marriage Certificate in Montgomery County, Maryland

In Maryland, marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the marriage occurred. For Montgomery County marriages, you’ll request a certified copy through the Montgomery County Circuit Court. Here’s how to do it:

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Step 1: Determine Your Need for a Certified Copy

Certified copies are official documents used for:

Legal proceedings (e.g., divorce, inheritance).

Name changes (e.g., updating driver’s licenses, passports).

Immigration or international purposes (e.g., visas, residency).

Personal records or genealogy.

Non-certified copies are available for informational purposes but lack legal weight.

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Step 2: Confirm Eligibility to Request a Copy

• Who Can Request: Maryland restricts access to marriage records. You can request a certified copy if you are:
  One of the spouses named on the certificate.An authorized representative (e.g., lawyer, parent, or guardian) with notarized permission.A third party with a court order or proven legal interest (e.g., estate settlement).

Pre-1990 Records: Marriages before 1990 are archived at the Maryland State Archives, not the county.

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Step 3: Gather Required Information

To request a copy, you’ll need:

Full names of both spouses (as they appeared at the time of marriage).

Date of marriage (day, month, year).

Proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license, passport) if requesting in person, or a notarized request if by mail.

Payment: $5.50 per certified copy, payable by cash, money order, or Visa/Mastercard (in person only). Non-certified copies are $0.50 each.

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Step 4: Request the Certified Copy

You have two options:

• In Person:
  Visit the Montgomery County Circuit Court License Department at 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850.Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (verify at
  montgomerycountymd.gov/cct
  or call (240) 777-9500).Bring ID, marriage details, and payment. The process takes about 15 minutes, and you’ll receive the copy immediately.
• By Mail:
  Download the Certified Copy Request Form from
  montgomerycountymd.gov/cct/dept/license.html
  .Complete the form with marriage details, include a notarized statement if you’re not a spouse, and enclose a $5.50 money order (payable to “Clerk of the Court”) per copy, plus a self-addressed, stamped envelope.Mail to:
  License DepartmentMontgomery County Circuit Court50 Maryland AvenueRockville, MD 20850
  Allow 1-2 weeks for processing and delivery.

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Step 5: Special Case – Pre-1990 Marriages

• If your marriage occurred before 1990:
  Contact the Maryland State Archives at 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401.Call (410) 260-6400 or visit
  msa.maryland.gov
  .Fees and processing differ: $12 for a plain copy, $25 for a certified copy (check current rates online).Submit requests by mail or online with payment and marriage details.

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Step 6: Verify Your Certified Copy

Ensure the document includes the Clerk’s signature, county seal, and a raised stamp—it’s not valid without these.

Keep extras for future needs; additional copies are cheaper to order upfront.

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Part 2: Securing an Apostille for Your Maryland Marriage Certificate

An apostille authenticates your marriage certificate for use in countries that are part of the 1961 Hague Convention. In Maryland, apostilles are issued by the Office of the Secretary of State, not the county. Here’s how to get one:

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Step 1: Confirm the Need for an Apostille

Hague Convention Countries: Check if your destination country is a member at hcch.net. Examples include Canada, Germany, and Japan.

Non-Hague Countries: If not (e.g., China, UAE), you’ll need full legalization after the apostille (see Step 6 below).

Verify Requirements: Contact the foreign authority (e.g., embassy, employer) to confirm they accept an apostille and if translations are needed.

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Step 2: Ensure You Have a Certified Copy

You must submit a certified marriage certificate from Montgomery County or the Maryland State Archives (for pre-1990 records). Photocopies or originals won’t be accepted.

The certificate should be recent (within the last few years) and signed by the current Clerk to avoid rejection.

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Step 3: Prepare Your Submission

Fee: $5 per document, payable by check or money order to “Maryland Secretary of State.” Cash is accepted for walk-ins.

Form: Download the Apostille/Certification Request Form from sos.maryland.gov.

Processing Time: Same-day for walk-ins; 2-5 days for mail (plus shipping).

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Step 4: Submit Your Request

• In Person:
  Visit the Office of the Secretary of State at 16 Francis Street, Wineland Building, Annapolis, MD 21401.Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–1:00 PM (confirm at
  sos.maryland.gov
  or call (410) 974-5521).Bring your certified certificate, completed form, and $5 payment. The apostille is issued immediately.
• By Mail:
  Complete the Apostille Request Form with your contact info and document details.Include the certified certificate, form, $5 money order, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (or prepaid shipping label).Mail to:
  Office of the Secretary of State16 Francis StreetAnnapolis, MD 21401
  Expect return within a week, depending on mail service.

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Step 5: Check the Apostille

The apostille is a separate page stapled to your certificate, featuring the state seal, a signature from the Secretary of State’s office, and a unique number.

Ensure it’s securely attached and legible before sending it abroad.

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Step 6: Non-Hague Countries (If Applicable)

• For non-Hague countries:
  Get the apostille as above.Submit it to the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications (
  travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications.html
  , (202) 485-8000) for federal certification ($20 fee, 4-6 weeks processing).Contact the destination country’s embassy or consulate in the U.S. for final legalization (fees and times vary).

This process can take weeks or months, so start early.

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Additional Tips and Resources

Plan Ahead: Processing times vary, especially for mail requests or international use. Order extra certified copies to avoid delays later.

• Contact Points:
  Montgomery County Circuit Court: (240) 777-9500,
  montgomerycountymd.gov/cct
  .Maryland State Archives (pre-1990): (410) 260-6400,
  msa.maryland.gov
  .Maryland Secretary of State (apostilles): (410) 974-5521,
  sos.maryland.gov
  .

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Expedited Options: Third-party services can rush apostilles for a fee, but the state’s direct process is reliable and cost-effective.

Translations: Some countries require certified translations alongside the apostille—check with the recipient.

Conclusion

Obtaining a certified copy of your Montgomery County marriage certificate and an apostille for international use is a manageable process with the right steps. By leveraging official resources from the Montgomery County Circuit Court and Maryland Secretary of State, you can secure these documents efficiently. Whether you need proof of marriage for legal purposes or recognition abroad, this guide ensures you’re well-prepared. For the most current details, always consult the government websites linked above.

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