{"id":25974,"name":"Baltimore","state_id":28,"county_id":1501,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:39:28.044-07:00","updated_at":"2021-10-05T16:57:21.750-07:00","meta_description":"Learn about officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Baltimore Maryland","head_tag":"A guide for officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Baltimore ","tagline":"Getting hitched in America's Comeback City?","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eBaltimore is known for a great many things; the birthplace of the national anthem, the home of famed writer Edgar Allen Poe, and could soon be known by your loved ones, friends and family as the location of your dream wedding. It\u0026rsquo;s certainly a city that doesn\u0026rsquo;t get nearly the credit it deserves considering it\u0026rsquo;s rich history and thriving multicultural society.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut since you already know what a great city Baltimore is, and you\u0026rsquo;re really just here to learn about officiating weddings in America\u0026rsquo;s Comeback City, or plan your wedding, we\u0026rsquo;ll jump right into the nuts-and-bolts of getting ordained, getting the paperwork squared away, planning your ceremony, and finally officiating when the big day arrives!\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003ePer the Baltimore County Clerk\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/circuit/marriagedivorce.html\"\u003ewebsite\u003c/a\u003e, wedding officiants need to be ordained through a religious organization. If you are not yet a clergy member or affiliated with a religious organization, you are in luck. \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eYou can get ordained with AMM\u003c/a\u003e -- the process is free and will take just a few minutes. Once you\u0026rsquo;ve got that box checked, we\u0026rsquo;ll get to the good stuff.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nSTEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Baltimore County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that you\u0026rsquo;ve got your credentials taken care of, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is a true honor, but requires a bit of preparation. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nSTEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to sign the marriage license, the couple for obtaining responsibility the marriage license, but just be sure to double-check that they have a valid marriage license before the ceremony and that all the names and other details are correct.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you have performed the ceremony and signed the marriage license, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. As the officiant, it is your duty to return the marriage license to the Baltimore County Clerk\u0026rsquo;s office after the ceremony.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003ch3\u003eFile for the Marriage License from the Baltimore County Clerk\u0026#39;s Office\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo get your marriage license, one member of the couple will need to visit the Baltimore County Clerk\u0026rsquo;s office at:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCounty Courts Building\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n401 Bosley Avenue\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nTowson, Maryland 21204\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you or your partner live in Maryland, you can apply in one of the counties where either or both of you live. If you obtain a marriage license in Baltimore County you must also perform the ceremony in Baltimore.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen you go, remember to bring the following:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$35 cash\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePhoto ID\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eSocial Security Number\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOnce you\u0026rsquo;ve completed your marriage application and obtained your license you have 6 months from the date of issuance to conduct the ceremony and return the completed form. Of course, we recommend that you return the completed marriage license at the first available opportunity so that the marriage can be entered into the state\u0026rsquo;s records and the process finalized.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBaltimore is a one-of-a-kind city with some truly unique history, and the home of some famous and transformative people! Writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Upton Sinclair once called Baltimore home. Maybe your wedding theme could be centered around The Great Gatsby. Only one city can lay claim to being the birthplace of our national anthem, and you guessed it, it\u0026rsquo;s Baltimore.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJust check the city\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://baltimore.org/events\"\u003eevent pages\u003c/a\u003e before you pick your wedding date. If you or your soon-to-be spouse are sports fans, you could try and coordinate your ceremony during a week when you could take a night to see the Baltimore Orioles or the Baltimore Ravens play at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, or M\u0026amp;T Bank Stadium.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you and your partner are ready to start looking at venues, Baltimore has a wide variety of options including traditional venues, like the gorgeous stone hall in\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https://www.chasecourt.com/\"\u003eChase Hall\u003c/a\u003e, an example of traditional gothic architecture and beautiful stonework. Another terrific idea is holding your ceremony at\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://elkridgefurnaceinn.com/\"\u003eThe Elkridge Furnace Inn\u003c/a\u003e, a beautiful option in a historic mansion from 1774,overlooking the Patapsco river. You could even take a pie baking class there.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOr, you could hold your wedding reception at one of the cities world-famous BBQ joints! You might be interested in \u003ca href=\"http://www.bluepitbbq.com/book-a-party-or-event/\"\u003eBlue Pit BBQ \u0026amp; Whiskey Bar\u003c/a\u003e, another great alternative to traditional venue space. If you are a fan of traditional pulled pork, cornbread, and whiskey this might be a great idea and it\u0026rsquo;s cost-effective too.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you don\u0026rsquo;t want to get a rental car, it\u0026rsquo;s easy to get around downtown Baltimore as they have a well-connected transit system. The MTA is well-liked by residents, with easy access to the downtown area with a day pass. Rideshare services are available as well.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWinters are pretty chilly in Maryland, and it\u0026rsquo;s close enough to the coast to get that \u0026ldquo;wet-cold\u0026rdquo; that really gets under your skin. Expect an average temperature in the 30s for December and January. During the summer it is quite pleasant if a bit muggy, and temperatures can climb to the 80s.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs there a waiting period to get married in Baltimore once you\u0026rsquo;ve applied for the marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes, there is a 2 day waiting period before the license is issued, and after its been issued you must hold the ceremony within 180 days/six months.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre witnesses required in order to get married in Baltimore?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes, a legal ceremony consists of at least four people: the officiant, one witness and the bride and groom.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long does an applicant have to wait to get remarried after a divorce?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou may need to present a copy of your divorce decree, but there is no stated time limit after you\u0026rsquo;ve been divorced before you can remarry.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo marriage license applicants need to provide a social security card?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, but they do need to be able to provide the social security number.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office: \u003c/strong\u003eCounty Courts Building 401 Bosley Avenue Towson, Maryland 21204\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFee: \u003c/strong\u003e$35 cash\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e 48 hours\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration: \u003c/strong\u003e180 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn: \u003c/strong\u003eby Officiant\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":null,"officiant_section_esp":null,"couple_section_esp":null,"wedding_tips_esp":null,"faq_esp":null,"content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":null}