Marriage License Information

• Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Marriage Applications: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Civil Ceremonies: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

How to Obtain a License

The procedure for obtaining a marriage license in Talbot County is as follows:

• At least one of the parties to be married must appear to make application. If neither party is a resident of the county, application may be made by mail - see the Non-Resident Application for more information. Photo identification is required for all applicants.
• The license is valid only in the county in which it was issued. (The ceremony must be performed in the same county in which the license is issued.)
• A license is not effective until 6:00 a.m. on the second calendar day after the license is issued. (Example: License issued October 18th takes effect at 6:00 a.m. on October 20th.)
• The license is issued the same day you apply and is valid for 6 months. (You must be married in Talbot County within 6 months or the license will expire.)

Fees - When applying In Person

• You must pay all fees with cash or credit card (Visa/Mastercard). We do not accept bills larger than $50.00.
• The marriage license fee is $35.00.
• There is an additional fee of $25.00 for civil ceremonies performed by a judge, the clerk of court, or a designated deputy clerk of the circuit court.
• Photo identification is required for applicants.

Fees - When applying using a Non-Resident Affidavit

• You must pay all fees by money order or certified check, payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Personal checks are NOT accepted.
• The marriage license fee is $35.00.
• There is an additional fee of $25.00 for civil ceremonies performed by a judge, the clerk of court, or a designated deputy clerk of the circuit court, payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the time of the application.
• Photo identification is required for applicants.

The Following Information is Required for Each Party

• Full Names
• Current Street Address
• Age
• State of Birth (Country if born outside the United States)
• Social Security Number (This information is required by State law and will not be printed on marriage license.)
• Marital Status (Single, Divorced or Widowed)
• If either party has been married before, the county, state and date of each divorce or death of spouse.
• Whether the parties are related by blood or marriage.

Marriage of Minors (under age 18)

• Minors under the age of 17 are no longer permitted to get married.
• An individual 17-year-olds may not marry unless:
  • the individual has the consent of each living parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the minor person either in person or through an affidavit signed under the seal of a notary public; OR
  • if the individual does not have the required consent, a certificate from a licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, or certified nurse practitioner that states the woman to be married has been examined by the physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and is found to be pregnant or has given birth to a child; AND
  • the individual presents a certified copy of an order granting authorization to marry in accordance with the provisions of Title 5, Subtitle 2A of the Family Law Article not earlier than 15 days after the order was issued. To obtain an order granting authorization to marry, a minor who is 17 years old may file a petition in the Circuit Court in the county in which the minor resides, and an evidentiary hearing on the petition must be held to determine if an order of authorization to marry may be granted.
    Read the Law: Md. Code, Family Law §5-2A-01, 5-2A-02, 5-2A-03, 5-2A-04

For Non-Residents of Talbot County

If the parties to be married do not live in Talbot County and are unable to appear in person to apply, they may apply for a marriage license using a Non-Resident Marriage Application. Contact the Marriage License Department for additional information at 410-822-2611, Ext. 2.

Civil Ceremonies Performed by the Clerk

• There is a $25.00 fee to be paid in cash only at the time of the ceremony.
• You must set up an appointment to be married.
• Marriage hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday, except holidays.
• The ceremony will be performed on the Court House grounds.

Certified Copies

In person: Certified copies may be obtained from the Marriage License Department. The fee is $5.50 per certified copy, payable by cash, check, or credit card (Visa/Mastercard).

By mail: Mail your request to Talbot County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 11 N. Washington St., Suite 16, Easton, MD 21601. Please include with your request:

• Names of Parties
• Date of Marriage (Approximate year)
• A check or money order in the amount of $5.50 made payable to the Clerk, Circuit Court for Talbot County.