Maryland § 2-404

Full text of Maryland Maryland Code § 2-404, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 2-404.

    (a)    (1)    The fee for a license is $10.

        (2)    The clerk shall:

            (i)    retain $5 of the fee; and

            (ii)    pay $5 of the fee into the general fund of the county.

        (3)    (i)    A party to be married may obtain a replacement for a valid marriage license while the license is valid.

            (ii)    The fee for a replacement license is $10, payable into the General Fund of the State.

    (b)    Except as otherwise provided in this section:

        (1)    any county or group of 2 or more counties may set an additional fee of up to $25 for each license; and

        (2)    the proceeds shall be used to fund domestic violence programs.

    (c)    In Anne Arundel County:

        (1)    the County Council may set by ordinance an additional fee of up to $45 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the general fund of the county each month; and

        (3)    the County Council shall distribute the proceeds to promote or fund domestic violence programs.

    (d)    In Baltimore City:

        (1)    the Mayor and City Council shall set by resolution an additional fee of up to $75 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the Mayor and City Council each month; and

        (3)    the proceeds shall be used to fund domestic violence programs that have 24–hour intake ability.

    (e)    In Baltimore County:

        (1)    in addition to the fee authorized under subsection (b)(1) of this section, the County Council may set by resolution an additional fee of up to $15 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the Director of Finance of the county each month;

        (3)    the proceeds, in addition to designated federal, State, and county funds, shall be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs established under Title 4, Subtitle 5 of this article; and

        (4)    the County Executive shall prepare and make available an annual report on or before December 1 of each year on the disposition of fees collected under this subsection during the previous fiscal year.

    (f)    In Calvert County:

        (1)    the Board of County Commissioners may set an additional fee of up to $55 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Commissioners each month; and

        (3)    the proceeds shall be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs in Calvert County.

    (g)    In Cecil County:

        (1)    the Board of County Commissioners shall set an additional fee of $20 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Treasurer each month;

        (3)    the proceeds in addition to designated federal funds and county funds shall be given to the Cecil County Department of Social Services Advisory Board to be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs; and

        (4)    the Cecil County Department of Social Services Advisory Board shall prepare and make available to the Board of County Commissioners an annual report on or before December 1 of each year of the disposition of fees collected under this subsection during the previous fiscal year.

    (h)    In Charles County:

        (1)    the Board of County Commissioners may set an additional fee of up to $35 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Commissioners each month; and

        (3)    the proceeds shall be used to fund domestic violence programs located in Charles County.

    (i)    In Frederick County:

        (1)    the Board of County Commissioners may set an additional fee, in an amount not to exceed $65, for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Commissioners each month; and

        (3)    the proceeds, in addition to designated federal, State, and county funds, shall be used to fund domestic violence programs established under Title 4, Subtitle 5 of this article.

    (j)    In Garrett County:

        (1)    the Board of County Commissioners may set an additional fee of up to $40 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Commissioners each month; and

        (3)    the proceeds shall be used to fund domestic violence programs in Garrett County.

    (k)    In Harford County:

        (1)    the County Council may set by resolution an additional fee of up to $40 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall:

            (i)    retain 3% of the proceeds from the additional fee for processing;

            (ii)    pay $5 of the proceeds from each license to the Harford County Sexual Assault/Spousal Abuse Resource Center, Inc.; and

            (iii)    pay the remaining proceeds to the Treasurer of Harford County each month;

        (3)    the county:

            (i)    shall use the proceeds, in addition to designated federal, State, and county funds, to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs; and

            (ii)    may make in-kind contributions to battered spouse and domestic violence programs; and

        (4)    the County Executive shall prepare and make available an annual report on or before December 1 of each year on the disposition of fees collected under this subsection during the previous fiscal year.

    (l)    In Howard County:

        (1)    the County Council may set by resolution an additional fee of up to $50 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the Director of Finance of the county each month;

        (3)    the proceeds, in addition to designated federal, State, and county funds, shall be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs established under Title 4, Subtitle 5 of this article; and

        (4)    the County Executive shall prepare and make available an annual report on or before December 1 of each year on the disposition of fees collected under this subsection during the previous fiscal year.

    (m)    In Montgomery County:

        (1)    the County Council may set by resolution an additional fee of up to $45 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the Director of Finance of the county each month;

        (3)    the proceeds, in addition to designated federal, State, and county funds, shall be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs; and

        (4)    the County Executive shall prepare and make available an annual report on or before December 1 of each year on the disposition of fees collected under this subsection during the previous fiscal year.

    (n)    In Prince George’s County:

        (1)    the County Council may set by resolution an additional fee of up to $60 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the Director of Finance of the county, who shall distribute the proceeds to the Community Crisis Services, Inc., each month;

        (3)    if the Community Crisis Services, Inc., changes its name or objectives or ceases to exist, the proceeds, in addition to designated federal, State, and county funds, shall be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs; and

        (4)    the County Executive shall prepare and make available an annual report on or before December 1 of each year on the disposition of fees collected under this subsection during the previous fiscal year.

    (o)    In Washington County:

        (1)    the Board of County Commissioners may set an additional fee of up to $50 for each license;

        (2)    the clerk shall pay the proceeds from the additional fee to the County Commissioners each month; and

        (3)    the proceeds shall be used to fund battered spouse shelters and domestic violence programs in Washington County.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland § 2-404

What does Maryland Code § 2-404 cover?

Section 2-404 is part of the Maryland Code, the codified statutory law of Maryland. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Maryland § 2-404?

A common citation format is "Maryland Code § 2-404" (Maryland). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Maryland law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Maryland official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Maryland attorney.

How does Maryland § 2-404 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Maryland can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Maryland.