2013 Maryland Code
FAMILY LAW
§ 2-404 - Fees for licenses

§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 Family Crisis Center of Prince George’s County each month;

(3) if the Family Crisis Center of Prince George’s County 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.

§ 2-404 - 1. Premarital preparation course

(a) Marriage license fee discount. --

(1) A county may discount a marriage license fee under § 2-404(a) of this subtitle if the couple to be married has completed, within 1 year before the date of the application for the license, a premarital preparation course that meets the requirements specified in this section.

(2) The amount of any discount shall be determined by the county governing body.

(b) Course description. -- A premarital preparation course shall:

(1) include instruction regarding:

(i) conflict management;

(ii) communication skills;

(iii) financial responsibilities; and

(iv) children and parenting responsibilities; and

(2) consist of at least 4 hours of instruction.

(c) Authorized instructors. -- A premarital preparation course may be conducted by:

(1) a clinical professional counselor or a clinical marriage and family therapist licensed under Title 17, Subtitle 3A of the Health Occupations Article;

(2) a psychologist licensed under Title 18 of the Health Occupations Article;

(3) a social worker licensed under Title 19 of the Health Occupations Article;

(4) an official representative of a religious institution if the representative has relevant training; or

(5) any other qualified provider approved by a county governing body.

(d) Instructor registration affidavit. --

(1) A premarital preparation course provider shall register with the clerk by filing a written affidavit containing:

(i) the provider's name, address, and telephone number;

(ii) a summary of the provider's qualifications and training; and

(iii) a statement that the provider shall comply with the course requirements specified in this section.

(2) The clerk may establish a roster of area premarital preparation course providers, including those who offer the course on a sliding fee scale or for free.

(e) Certificate of completion. --

(1) A premarital preparation course provider shall provide to each couple who completes the course a certificate of completion that specifies:

(i) the names of the couple;

(ii) the name of the provider; and

(iii) the date of completion of the course.

(2) To receive a discounted marriage license fee under this section, an applicant for a license shall verify completion of a premarital preparation course by filing with the clerk a valid certificate of course completion issued in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(f) Cost. -- Any cost for a premarital preparation course shall be paid by the applicant for a marriage license.

(g) Domestic violence programs. -- The discount authorized by this section may not be applied to any fee used to fund domestic violence programs.