Maryland  

State Information

Government Website: http://mlis.state.md.us/

Outline of State Law
Current Status of Law Concerning Marriage and Date of Passage 1973 - State Law Passed 
State Law Prohibits/Voids Same Sex/Same Gender Marriage no 
State Law Defines Marriage between a Man and a Woman yes 
State Law Denies Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages Solemnized in Other States no 
State Law States that Same Sex Marriage is not Aligned with State Public Policy no  
State Law Defines "Spouse" as Referring Only to a Person of the Opposite Sex Who is Married as Husband or Wife no 

Statutory Provision

Maryland Statutes Family Law (1973)

§ 2-201.

Only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid in this State.

§ 2-502.

(a) In this section, "foreign marriage" means a marriage ceremony:

(1)  performed outside this State; and

(2) in which 1 or both of the parties were or are citizens of this State.

(b) Each clerk shall keep a foreign marriage record book in the clerk's office. The clerk shall record a foreign marriage when presented with either:

(1) a certificate of marriage signed by the individual who performed the marriage ceremony; or

(2) an official certified copy of a marriage record.

(c) On request, the clerk shall provide, under the seal of the court, certification of a foreign marriage in the same manner as the clerk issues certification of a marriage ceremony performed in this State.

Current Legislative Activity

  • None.

U.S. Senators
US Senators and their Comments on FMA

Barbara Mikulski, Democrat
http://mikulski.senate.gov/
This senator voted for the federal DOMA in 1996 but against the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.

Benjamin Cardin, Democrat
http://cardin.senate.gov/
As a House Representative, Cardin voted for the federal DOMA in 1996 but against the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.



Click here to return to the Marriage in the 50 States main page.


©2009 The Heritage Foundation
All Rights Reserved.

214 Massachusetts Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002-4999
phone - 202.546.4400 | fax - 202.546.8328
e-mail - staff@heritage.org