Required Paperwork

1. Get your documents together Proof of Birth You must provide proof of birth by original birth certificate. Maryland law requires at least one of the wedding participants to obtain a marriage license and provide either an original birth certificate or valid drivers license for both parties. Social security numbers and addresses for both parties are required. If you were born overseas, you can provide either your original birth certificate or foreign passport, both of which must be legible in the English language. Previous Marriage If you are divorced you must provide an original Certificate of Divorce, or if widowed an original Death Certificate, both legible in English.

2. Wedding License As a legal requirement, you must obtain a Marriage License form from the Office of the County Clerk in the county the wedding is in. Ocean City marriage applicants must apply at the Snow Hill Court House on 1 West Market Street, Snow Hill MD (Directions from Ocean City). The phone number is (410) 632-5500. There is a 2 day waiting period to use a Maryland Wedding License. A MD wedding license is valid for 6 months. There is a 24 hour waiting period for a Delaware Marriage License (4 day waiting period for non-residents- unless one of the parties has a parent who permanently resides in DE) and the DE license is valid for 30 days. MD wedding license is $35 cash. Delaware wedding license is $30. Ocean City beach weddings require the notification of City Hall (410) 289-8221.

The actual legal requirements for a wedding vary from place to place, but they are usually pretty minimal. In general, they amount to: Obtaining a governmental "marriage license" valid in the jurisdiction where the ceremony will be performed; Having an "authorized person" perform the ceremony; and A minimum of two witnesses are required in some states for the ceremony Returning the "necessary documentation" to the licensing government.