{"id":25409,"name":"Columbia","state_id":28,"county_id":1511,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:39:17.476-07:00","updated_at":"2023-10-20T03:32:45.869-07:00","meta_description":null,"head_tag":null,"tagline":null,"intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;re from Columbia MD, you already know that it\u0026rsquo;s one of the best places to live in Little America. This pocket of Maryland is renowned for its access to outdoor activities, its tradition of throwing fun festivals and, of course, its fabulous seafood. But it\u0026rsquo;s also one of the best towns to get married in the Mid-Atlantic for its great catering and historic wedding venues.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSo, if you\u0026rsquo;re planning to get hitched in Columbia, we think you\u0026rsquo;re on the right track. But before you start getting into the nitty-gritty details of planning your wedding, you should take care of the legal to-do\u0026rsquo;s first. Here in our guide, we have everything you need to know about getting married in Howard County -- including how to get your officiant-of-choice ordained.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\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\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with the ordainment process. According to the state of Maryland\u0026rsquo;s website, the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026ldquo;an official of a religious order (such as an ordained minister), the Clerk of the Circuit Court, a deputy clerk designated by the county administrative circuit court judge, a judge.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIf you do not fall into any of these categories, no sweat. You can \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained with AMM\u003c/a\u003e to fall within the priest or minister category. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Maryland government does not license, register, or certify ministers or wedding officiants, so once you are ordained with us, you can legally perform weddings in the state.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Howard County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. 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\u003eHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to \u0026nbsp;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, it\u0026rsquo;s the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to obtain it from the clerk\u0026rsquo;s office, but just be sure to double check that they have their valid marriage license on hand before you perform the ceremony.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the ceremony, the person who performed the officiant must return the certificate of marriage, signed with the title of the authorized official who performs the marriage, to the clerk of the court issuing the license within five days to be recorded in the county or city records.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eFile for the Marriage License from the Howard County Clerk\u0026#39;s Office\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow let\u0026rsquo;s turn our attention to the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibilities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are a non-residenst,\u0026nbsp;make sure to fill out the updated marriage license application \u003ca href=\"https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/court-forms/ccfm066.pdf\"\u003eform\u003c/a\u003e. Once you\u0026rsquo;re finished, you can place it in the clerk\u0026rsquo;s office\u0026rsquo;s dropbox Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or mail it to:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eClerk of the Circuit Court for Howard County\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eMarriage Application\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e6095 Marshalee Drive\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eSuite 120\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003eElkridge, MD 21075\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eMake sure to also include:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePhotocopies of both applicants\u0026rsquo; valid government-issued identifications (driver\u0026rsquo;s license or passport.\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eA check or money order in the amount of $50.00 made payable to the \u0026ldquo;Clerk, Circuit Court for Howard County.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eThe address where you would like the marriage license packet to be mailed\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter you have received your actual marriage license in the mail, there is a 48-hour waiting period before you may hold your ceremony. Your wedding officiant will help you complete the license on the day of the ceremony and return it to the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office to be filed.\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\u003eWhen choosing your wedding date, remember to take into all the town activities that are planned, especially from spring through autumn. It\u0026rsquo;s best to avoid choosing on a date in which one of Columbia\u0026rsquo;s major concerts, festivals and charity races occurs, especially if your venue is in close proximity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSpeaking of venues, there are plenty to choose from in Columbia. Our top favorites are the beautiful\u003ca href=\"https://www.historic-oakland.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e Historic Oakland Mansion\u003c/a\u003e next to Wilde Lake Park, the modern and chic \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/Merriweatherlakehouse/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMerriweather Lakehouse\u003c/a\u003e, and the quaint \u003ca href=\"https://www.mycolumbiainn.com/en-us\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eColumbia Inn at Peralynna\u003c/a\u003e -- all of which are located right in town. But if you\u0026rsquo;re willing to drive a few miles, you can also access some great venues in Baltimore, like \u003ca href=\"http://calendar.google.com/calendar/r/day/2020/8/15?tab=mc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMartin\u0026rsquo;s West\u003c/a\u003e, which is perfect for a large gathering of people, the historic \u003ca href=\"https://www.1840splaza.com/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e1840s Plaza\u003c/a\u003e, which has one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the area, and the vintage-glam \u003ca href=\"https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/the-grand-baltimore/7f7fb5c766eb46eb.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGrand Baltimore\u003c/a\u003e, located in downtown Baltimore.\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\u0026rsquo;re coming in from out of town and want to save money on transportation, you can utilize the Howard Transit and Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) bus routes that connect Columbia with Ellicott City, Washington and Baltimore. For getting around town on the cheap, there are also commuter routes. But if you want to get from point A to point B in a hurry, Lyft and Uber ride-sharing services are prevalent in town.\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\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe summers in Columbia can be hot and humid, especially during July and August. In the fall, the area gets a lot of rain, followed by bright sunny days. Winter can be very cold, particularly in January and February, but is milder than New York or Boston. Snow is common in the winter, but it usually melts quickly. The best seasons for a wedding in Maryland are summer and fall. If you\u0026rsquo;re planning to choose an outdoor venue, it\u0026rsquo;s worth it to invest in wedding insurance in case of inclement weather.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre internet ministers able to perform wedding ceremonies in Maryland?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nYes, those that have been ordained through online ministries can perform weddings in the state of Maryland.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to register my ministerial credentials with the state government?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nNo. Once you are signed up with AMM, you can start performing weddings in Maryland.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the minister\u0026rsquo;s responsibilities in Maryland?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nBesides performing the ceremony, you are also responsible for returning the completed marriage license to the appropriate county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office within five days of the ceremony.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan we obtain a marriage license in person at the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nNo. You (the couple) need to download a marriage license application online, print it off and fill it out correctly, and then either mail it in or drop it off at the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office\u0026rsquo;s drop box.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long is the marriage license valid for use in Maryland?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOnce you have obtained the marriage license, you can host your ceremony anytime within the next six months before it expires.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 6095 Marshalee Drive, Suite 120\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $50\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e 48 hours\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 6 months\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e By officiant within 5 days\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}