§ 2-403. Forms of license and certificates

   (a) Form of license. --

   (1) A license shall read substantially as follows:




 
   "State of Maryland and County of .......... To any individual authorized 
by the laws of this State to perform a marriage ceremony. You are hereby 
authorized to join together in matrimony according to the rules and ceremonies 
of your church, society or religious sect and the laws of this State, or 
according to the laws of this State, the following individuals:





                               ..............................................

                                (state here name of intended husband)





                               ..............................................

                                (state here name of intended wife)




 
   Given under my hand and seal of the Circuit Court for ............., this 
.......... day of ................. (state here month and year)."







   (2) A license shall contain:

      (i) appropriate spaces in which the clerk shall enter:

         1. the relationship of the parties to be married, if any; and

         2. as to each party, the name, age, state or foreign country in which born, residence, and marital status (single, widowed, or divorced); and

      (ii) a statement that the license is valid only:

         1. for 6 months from the effective date and time stated on the license; and

         2. in the county in which it is issued.

(b) Certificate forms. --

   (1) Attached to a license shall be 2 certificate forms that:
 
         (i) read, "I hereby certify that on this ........... day of 
............ (state here month and year), ....... (state here time), at 
............. (state here location), in accordance with the license issued by 
the Clerk of the Circuit Court for ................ (state here 
jurisdiction), I united in marriage the following individuals:





                               ..............................................

                                (state here name of husband)





                               ..............................................

                                (state here name of wife)";







      (ii) restate all information concerning the individuals married that is stated on the marriage license; and

      (iii) provide a space for the signature of the authorized official who performs the marriage ceremony.

   (2) Attached to a license, in the case of a Society of Friends marriage ceremony, shall be 2 certificate forms that:
 
         (i) read, "We hereby certify that on this ......... day of 
.......... (state here month and year), ....... (state here time), at 
.......... (state here location), we, .............. (state here name of 
husband) and .............. (state here name of wife) were united in marriage 
in accordance with the ceremony of the Society of Friends and in accordance 
with the license issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for ....... (state 
here jurisdiction)";



      (ii) restate all information concerning the individuals married that is stated on the marriage license; and

      (iii) provide spaces for the signatures of the parties and the 2 overseers of the marriage ceremony.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 62, § 4, 5; 1984, ch. 296, § 2; 1988, ch. 123, § 2; 1999, ch. 336, § 2; 2000, ch. 61; 2003, ch. 120.