Md. Rule 18-504 (2026)

(a) Judge's Own Ceremony. A judge may not perform the judge's own marriage ceremony.

(b) Compensation. A judge may receive no compensation, remuneration, or gift for performing a marriage ceremony.

Committee note: See Code, Family Law Article, § 2-410, as to the fees a clerk or deputy clerk shall collect for performing a marriage ceremony.

(c) Advertising; Other Solicitations. A judge may not give or offer to give any reward to any person as an inducement to have the judge perform a marriage ceremony. A judge may not advertise or otherwise solicit individuals contemplating marriage to choose the judge to perform the ceremony.

Source: This Rule is derived from former Rule 16-824 (2016).

Credits

[Adopted June 6, 2016, eff. July 1, 2016. Amended March 1, 2024, eff. July 1, 2024.]