• 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 below for more information.
• 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.)

The fee for the marriage license is $35.00. It must be paid in cash only. We do not accept bills larger than $50.00.

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)

• 16 or 17 years old must have the consent of a parent or guardian (parent or guardian must be with the minor at the time of application) or have a certificate from a licensed physician stating that the physician has examined the woman to be married and found that she is pregnant or has given birth.
• 15 years old must have the consent of a parent or guardian (parent or guardian must be with the minor at the time of application) and have a certificate from a licensed physician stating that the physician has examined the woman to be married and found that she is pregnant or has given birth.
• 14 years and younger may not marry.

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. 3.

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.
• Location - The ceremony will be performed on the Court House grounds.

Certified Copies

Certified copies may be obtained from the Marriage License Department. The fee is $5.50 per certified copy. You may also request a copy 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 Bride and Groom (Bride's name should be the name she used prior to marriage in question)
• Date of Marriage (Approximate year)
• A check or money order in the amount of $5.50 for each certified copy requested, payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.