Maryland Lawmakers Propose Bill to Prevent Marriage Fraud

The legislation aims to strengthen safeguards in the marriage license process.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Maryland circuit court clerks have traveled to Annapolis to ask state lawmakers to update current laws and implement new measures to prevent marriage fraud when processing marriage licenses. The proposed legislation is intended to add additional safeguards to ensure the legitimacy of marriage applications.

Why it matters

Marriage fraud can have serious legal and financial consequences, so ensuring the integrity of the marriage license process is an important issue for state and local governments. The proposed bill aims to give court clerks more tools to identify potential fraudulent activity and protect the public.

The details

The Maryland Circuit Court Clerks' Association is seeking changes to current laws that would allow court clerks to more thoroughly vet marriage license applicants and flag any suspicious activity. This could include requiring additional documentation or conducting more extensive background checks on applicants.

  • The proposed legislation was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly in February 2026.

The players

Maryland Circuit Court Clerks' Association

An organization representing court clerks across Maryland who are responsible for processing marriage license applications.

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What’s next

The proposed bill will now go through the legislative process in the Maryland General Assembly, where lawmakers will debate and potentially amend the legislation before deciding whether to pass it into law.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation highlights the ongoing efforts by state and local governments to strengthen safeguards in the marriage license process and combat potential fraud, which can have serious legal and financial consequences for individuals and communities.