ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 199

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1999 Replacement Volume and 2003 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Family Law

2-406.

(a) (1) In this subsection, "judge" [means] MEANS:

(I)      a [sitting or retired] judge of the District Court, a circuit court,
the Court of Special Appeals, OR the Court of Appeals [,];

(II)     A JUDGE APPROVED UNDER ARTICLE IV, § 3A OF THE
MARYLAND CONSTITUTION AND § 1-302 OF THE COURTS ARTICLE FOR RECALL AND
ASSIGNMENT TO THE DISTRICT COURT, A CIRCUIT COURT, THE COURT OF SPECIAL
APPEALS, OR THE COURT OF APPEALS;

(III)    [the] A JUDGE OF A United States District Court [for the
District of Maryland,] or [the] A United States Court of Appeals [for the Fourth
Circuit,]; or

(IV)    a [sitting or retired] judge of [another] A state [or federal]
court [that has substantially equivalent jurisdiction] IF THE JUDGE IS ACTIVE OR
RETIRED BUT ELIGIBLE FOR RECALL.

(2) A marriage ceremony may be performed in this State by:

(i) any official of a religious order or body authorized by the rules
and customs of that order or body to perform a marriage ceremony;

(ii) any clerk;

(iii) any deputy clerk designated by the county administrative judge
of the circuit court for the county; or

(iv) a judge.

2-410.

(a) (1) Except as provided in this subsection, a [clerk] JUDGE, CLERK, or
deputy clerk may not receive any fee, remuneration, or gift for performing a marriage
ceremony.

(2) (i) 1. A MARYLAND JUDGE'S FEE FOR PERFORMING A
MARRIAGE CEREMONY IS A NONREFUNDABLE FEE, PAYABLE TO THE CLERK BEFORE
A MARRIAGE LICENSE IS ISSUED, IN THE AMOUNT OF $30 IN CECIL COUNTY AND $25
IN ANY OTHER COUNTY.

2. [Except as provided in paragraph (6) of this subsection,
the] THE clerk's or deputy clerk's fee for performing a marriage ceremony is [$25] $30
IN CECIL COUNTY AND $25 IN ANY OTHER COUNTY.

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