§ 2–404.1
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 2-404.1 (2026)
Title 2. Marriage
Subtitle 4. Licensing and Performance
§ 2–404.1LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(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)
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)
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)
(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)
(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)
Any cost for a premarital preparation course shall be paid by the applicant for a marriage license.
(g)
The discount authorized by this section may not be applied to any fee used to fund domestic violence programs.