Marriage License Information

Obtaining a License

  • 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 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 was 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 within 6 months or the license will expire)
What must be provided at time of application for license:
  • Fee of $35.00 in Wicomico County
  • The following information is required for each party:
    • Full Name
    • Current Street Address
    • Age
    • State of Birth (Country if born outside United States)
    • Social Security Number
    • Marital status (Single, Divorced, Widow or Widower)
    • 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 either blood or marriage

Non-Resident Application

If neither party to be married is a resident of the county in which the ceremony will take place, Maryland law allows application for a marriage license to be made by mail as follows:

Take the Non-Resident Affidavit form to the Clerk of Court or comparable official in the county in which you reside. Complete the form in the presence of that official, have that official sign at the appropriate place, and mail the form with a money order or cashier’s check in the appropriate amount ($35.00 in Wicomico County), payable to Clerk of Court, to the Clerk of Circuit Court for the county in which you plan to be married. Comparable officials would include: Clerk of a Court; Recorder of Deeds; Prothonotary. A Notary Public is not a comparable official.

Note that this provision is a Maryland law. Clerks of Court in Maryland Counties will provide this service. Officials in other states, however, are not bound by Maryland law. Therefore, clerks of court or other officials in other states may not provide this service. Check with the official well in advance of your wedding date to be sure. If no comparable official will provide the service, one of the parties will have to travel to Maryland to make application in person.

Marriage of Minors (under age 18)

Change to Marriage License laws effective October 1, 2022:

  • While only one party is required to apply for a marriage license, each party must provide a copy of an official government-issued birth certificate or other official government-issued document or record demonstrating their age.
  • Minors under the age of 17 are no longer permitted to get married.
  • A 17-year old individual 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

Civil Ceremonies Performed by the Clerk

  • There is a $25.00 fee paid at the time of the ceremony
  • Appointment necessary, call 410-543-1427 to schedule
  • Marriage hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday, except holidays
  • Location - The ceremony will be performed in the Court House

Certified Copies

Certified copies may be obtained from the Marriage License Department. You may also request a certified copy by mail. Mail your request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, P.O. Box 198 Salisbury, MD 21803-0198. Please include in your request:

  • Names of Parties
  • Date of Marriage (Approximate year at minimum)
  • A check or money order in the amount of $5.50 for the certified copy requested, payable to the Clerk of the Court. 

For further information on obtaining a marriage license or questions about civil ceremonies, please call 410-543-1427.