Rule 18-503 - Conditions and Requirements(a) Performance of Ceremony.(1)Use of Clerk's Form. A judge who performs a marriage ceremony shall include substantially the form of ceremony used by the clerk of the circuit court for the county where the ceremony is performed. If the parties request and the judge agrees, the ceremony may include reference to matters not typically found in the clerk's ceremony.(2)Joint Conduct of Ceremony. A judge may participate in performing a marriage ceremony with another individual authorized under Maryland law to perform marriage ceremonies.(b) License.(1)Required. A judge may not perform a marriage ceremony unless a marriage license has been issued by the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the ceremony is performed.(2)Duty of Judge. A judge who performs a marriage ceremony shall (A) complete the certificate of marriage, (B) provide a copy of the certificate to the parties, and (C) return the completed certificate to the issuing clerk of court for recordation and reporting of the marriage.(3)Judge Not Disqualified. A judge who granted a request for the issuance of a marriage license under Code, Family Law Article, § 2-405(d) may perform the ceremony.(c)Refusal to Perform Ceremony. A judge may decline to perform a marriage ceremony.Md. R. Jud. & Judi. Appts. 18-503
This Rule is derived from former Rule 16-823(2016).
Adopted June 6, 2016, eff. 7/1/2016.