Marriage records in Worcester County, Maryland, are available through several channels. WorcesterCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, records are maintained at the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office, where they can be obtained in person, by mail, or through Maryland's online tools.
Worcester Marriage Records Search
In Maryland, marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in each county. In Worcester County, this function is performed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Worcester County office. The clerk's office processes, records, and maintains documents related to civil cases, including marriage licenses.
The marriage records collection includes:
- Issued marriage licenses
- Registered marriage certificates returned after the ceremony
- Historical records, some of which are available through the Maryland State Archives in electronic, microfilm, and original formats
The clerk's office has existed since 1658 and is one of the oldest in the state.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Worcester
Marriage record fees in Worcester County are set according to Maryland state law. Below are the typical fees charged by the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage License | $55.00 |
| Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate | $20.00 |
| Additional Copy (in the same order) | $6.00 |
| Search Fee | $20.00 |
These fees comply with the rates set by the Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings. It is recommended to verify current amounts directly with the clerk's office, as they may change. Payment is usually accepted in the form of a money order or check payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The processing time for a mail request is 5 to 10 business days.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Worcester
There are several ways to order a copy of a marriage certificate.
Online
The state of Maryland provides the option to order marriage verification through the Division of Vital Records (DVR) of the Maryland Department of Health. DVR issues verification letters, not certified copies — to obtain a certified copy, you must contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office in the county where the license was issued. You can also use the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system to search for court records.
In Person
Visit the clerk's office at Worcester County Courthouse, One West Market Street, Snow Hill. No appointment is necessary. Bring with you:
- Valid photo identification
- Payment in the form of a money order or check
- The names of the spouses and the approximate date of marriage
By Mail
Send a request to the clerk's office address. The letter should include:
- Full names of both individuals who were married
- Date of marriage (or approximate date range)
- Money order or check for the appropriate amount
- Copy of the applicant's identification
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
For research on old records — up to the early 20th century — it is worth contacting the Worcester County archives at the Maryland State Archives. Some early records have survived only on microfilm. The WorcesterCourt.us website can also help navigate the available public records of the county.