Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Because the licenses are issued at the county level, the cost depends on where you apply. To find more information about a business license in your state choose the state below. Marriage licenses are issued at the county level in Pennsylvania. Make sure that you and your significant other meet the age requirements to get married in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, PA 19107. Get a marriage license Both applicants need to visit the Marriage License Bureau in City Hall to get a marriage license from the City. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 236,656 times. What will we need to bring with us? Love the graphics! Both parties must possess a valid Social Security number. "Needed information was given step by step in clear, simple English. Marriage records cannot be certified unless, and until, the duplicate marriage certificate has been returned to this office by the officiant. Keep in mind that there may be an additional fee for this type of license. Approved. Certified Copies of Marriage Licenses originally obtained in Butler County are available in our office for $5. USEFUL LINKS Access public records (Marriages / Estate information) Application for a Marriage license Fee Schedule Orphans' Court Orphans' Court - Local Rules Confidential DOCUMENT Form. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Marriage Licenses. If the previous marriage ended in a foreign country and the paperwork is not in English, you will need to provide an official translation as well. Consent, Legal Age, and Capacity Since Pennsylvania was founded by Quakers (William Penn), no marriage ceremony is required. Pennsylvania law requires a minimum 3-day waiting period after application is made before license can be issued. For questions, contact Clerk of Courts. Frustrated with stomach issues? Register of Wills: (215) 686-6250 Marriage License: (215) 686-2233 (Applications) Marriage Records: (215) 686-2234 (Copies) Disclaimer: This web site, and all information contained herein, is made available as an information service only. A marriage license issued in Westmoreland County may be used anywhere in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. SinceSeptember 30, 1885, marriage licenses have been required in Pennsylvania andare maintained by the Marriage License Clerk in the county courthouse of the county issuing the license. A marriage license may be obtained from the Clerk of Orphans' Court in any county in Pennsylvania. Do you need a social security card to obtain a marriage license in Pennsylvania? A license issued by any Pennsylvania county can be used in any Pennsylvania county, however, the license is invalid outside of Pennsylvania. You should apply for a marriage license from 2 to 3 weeks before the scheduled date of your marriage ceremony. Same sex marriage is legal in Pennsylvania as of May 20, 2014. References Yes, the Register of Wills will not issue the license until three days after you file the application. The marriage license can be used in any county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Probate Forms; Probate Fees; Inheritance Tax; Probating the Will; Genealogy Research. The officiant must sign and validate the papers and will submit them to the state within 10 days of your marriage ceremony. % of people told us that this article helped them. Search Marriage Licenses. The ceremony need not be performed in the county in which the license was issued but must be performed in the state of Pennsylvania. ", "The step-by-step answers are what helped me. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. Keep reading to learn how to apply for a marriage license in Pennsylvania. Driver’s license or photo identification that shows your date of birth 2. Foreign nationals will need to present a current and unexpired passport. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. 101 South Mercer St., Room 401 P.O. Click on the Register of Wills/Orphan's Court Online Services link below and follow the prompts from the site. This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. The bride and groom may not be legally married to any other individual at the time of application. This article has been viewed 236,656 times. Because your marriage license will not transfer from one state to another, you’ll need to have the required documents prepared when you go in person to apply for the license. Likewise, a license issued in any other county in Pennsylvania may be used in Westmoreland County. Records available: 1885 - present. If you and/or your significant other were married before, you will need to bring appropriate documentation to prove that you are no longer married. For these earlier marriages, church recordsand newspapers may provide information. Marriage License Portal The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' has created an online service that allows for submitting an online Marriage Application. Certified Copies of Marriage Licenses. Criminal Court records are part of the PA Unified Judicial System. This article has been viewed 236,656 times. ", "Well written and simplified for everyone to understand. What this means is you two have 60 days to get married and have your marriage license officially recorded. For detailed instructions on getting your marriage license, see: Instructions for obtaining a marriage license in Philadelphia Marriage License. If one person is from PA and the other is from NY, can they both apply in PA? Marriage Eligibility Requirements Applicants must be 18 years of age in order to apply for a marriage license. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. By using our site, you agree to our. Deeds. In order to get married in Pennsylvania, you and your significant other must be at least 18 years-old with a government-issued photo ID as evidence of age, or follow the procedures for an underage marriage. Marriage licenses are issued at the county level in Pennsylvania. You and your fiance will need to apply together at the County Courthouse in order to receive your license. ©2007-2013 City Applications, LLC. No, it is not necessary to have the officiant with you. The ceremony need not be performed in the county in which the license was issued, but must be performed in the state of Pennsylvania. The marriage license office does not schedule or perform weddings; it is the responsibility of applicants to arrange for a statutorily authorized officiant to perform their wedding. Anyone wishing to marry in Pennsylvania must obtain a Pennsylvania marriage license. Heal your gut! Certified Copies of Marriage Licenses If you applied for your Marriage License in York County, you may request in writing to obtain a Certified Copy by sending a $10.00 check/money order made payable to "Clerk of Orphans' Court" and forward to: Clerk of Orphans' Court York County Judicial Center 45 N. George St. York, PA 17401 Applicants are not allowed to translate for each other. Application and License $60, certified copy of marriage record $10 (due at time of application) for a total of $70.00. All Rights Reserved. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Next, bring the required documents, such as social security cards or court papers from any previous marriages, to the county courthouse or district judge’s office to submit your application. Finally, pay the $80 fee and make sure to get married within 60 days. Once the Application for Marriage License has been submitted in person and the three day waiting period required by the State has passed, the Marriage License can be mailed, at no extra cost, directly to the home. EFFECTIVE 12/07/2020: The Clerk of Courts Office is open to the public for marriage licenses, however, due to COVID - 19 social distancing practices, please call 717-261-3805 to schedule an appointment. For more tips from our Legal co-author, like how to be aware of special rules that may apply to your situation, read on! Office of Vital Records. 4. This guide will help you to find a copy of a marriage license in PA no matter what county your original marriage license was obtained in. It is legal to get married in PA if you are 16 or 17 years old, but parental consent is required before a marriage license can be issued. You do not have to be from PA to get a license. Unlike many states, Pennsylvania does not have a statewide agency that maintains copies of marriage records, so getting a copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania can require some sleuthing. ", "The article was precise in the info needed.". Yes, all couples will need to apply for and receive a marriage license before their wedding in order to be legally married in Pennsylvania. The pictures made reading pleasant as well as, "Very easy to read and to understand! If you or your significant other is a foreign national, you must present a valid and unexpired passport at the time you apply for the license. Some large cities have marriage registers, but they are often difficult to search. Then, plan to apply at least 3 business days before your wedding, since most PA counties require a 72 hour waiting period. If one of the applicants does not speak English, a 3rd party translator who is at least 18 years old must be present at the time of the application. It'll cost you $30.50 to $90.00, and you'll have to use it within 60 days. You and your fiance will need to apply together at the County Courthouse in order to receive your license. Expiration Date of Marriage License: A marriage license is valid for 60 days from date it is issued. A marriage record or marriage certificate, which is received as legal proof of marriage after the ceremony, will be legally recognized in all states. Cash, certified check, or cashier's check. If this is not your first marriage and your previous marriage ended in divorce or annulment, you will also need to bring the official paperwork that shows the marriage was dissolved. If you wait past that time frame, you can't get married without applying for and paying for another marriage license. Any questions may be directed to 724-284-5354. All births and death records that have been recorded before 1906 are available on-line under the caption of “ Genealogy research ” and an excellent resource for tracing your family tree. Confidential INFORMATION Form. You can simply become married by applying for a Quaker or self-uniting license. About Marriage Records in Pennsylvania Marriage records are managed by the Register of Deeds in each county. You may appear at either our Levittown or Doylestown offices and complete the application in person, if you do not wish to complete your application online. Yes, all couples will need to apply for and receive a marriage license before their wedding in order to be legally married in Pennsylvania. To apply for a marriage license in Pennsylvania, start by checking with the state government website to verify that you and your partner are eligible to be married. The license is only valid in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The marriage license can be used in any county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; however, a PA license … Last Updated: August 6, 2020 If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Copy of Certificate of Marriage License. Marriage Licenses Marriage Licenses. The Marriage License Department is located at: 455 West Hamilton Street Room 123.5 Allentown, PA 18101-1614 Application. Naturalization Records. The couple must also receive a marriage license from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which has its own requirements, before a marriage ceremony is performed. But it is only valid if you are being married in the state. This site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advise. The information on this site should not be relied upon as an official source of information and should be independently verified. The Office of Vital Records in New Castle has opened its new location at: 105 Nesbitt Road New Castle, PA 16105 724-656-3100 Copies of recent marriage certificates can be obtained from the marriage license clerk in the county courthouse where the marriage license was issued. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Box 1528 New Castle, PA … Doctor of Law, University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. In Pennsylvania, the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court Division of county is responsible for maintaining the records of all marriages in the county where the marriage license was issued. This means that you will need to apply for your license at least three days before your wedding. Fee. ", needed to know what was required to get a marriage license in PA.", How to Apply for a Marriage License in Pennsylvania, http://secureprod.phila.gov/wills/marriagelicense.aspx, http://gaymarriage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004857, http://www.alleghenycounty.us/wo/plan.aspx, http://www.buckscounty.org/government/rowofficers/RegisterofWills/MarriageLicenses, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Both applicants must appear together in person to complete the marriage license application. No, Pennsylvania does not require you or your fiance to get any blood or medical tests in order to get your marriage license. I'm getting married in less than a month, and, "It gave me the knowledge of getting a marriage license that I never knew before. For questions, contact Register of Wills. If either party is under 16, parental consent is required, along with an order of approval from a judge of the Orphans Court. Minimum age to marry in Pennsylvania is 15. The fee to obtain a marriage license is $50 cash only. In this case, 88% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Both applicants must appear in person with the following: 1. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY 12/9/2020: Per the 12/8/2020 order of the York County President Judge, all York County Judicial facilities are CLOSED to the public from 12/21/2020 through 1/8/2021 except for emergency filings and hearings that cannot be accomplished through electronic filing or the use of advanced communication technology. Before September 30, 1885 the issuing oflicenses was not obligatory, but was intended for those cases where the bannswere not published or the marriage in church was dispensed with. Each applicant will need to know your mother’s maiden name, your parents’ current addresses, the state where your parents were born, and your parents’ occupations. This documentation could be an official divorce decree, annulment decree or death certificate. Excellent! Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Annoying, but they ’ re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free whitelisting! Confidential information / document Forms are only required for: county in which license! Ca n't get married in Pennsylvania must obtain a marriage license Clerk in the Courthouse! Article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status Research and expert knowledge come together married! Pa to get any blood or medical tests in order to get married and have your marriage application! Online Services link below and follow the prompts from the marriage license issued in other! Westmoreland county according to our privacy policy that has been returned to this by... History from the University of Oregon in 2013 ’ t stand to see another again! Depends on where you apply unexpired passport the state within 10 days of your marriage in. Page that has been read 236,656 times upon application and your fiance to get my wedding license of available... William Penn ), no marriage ceremony a certified copy of the final decree. Then, plan to apply for a marriage license upon as an official divorce decree the... Waiting period church recordsand newspapers may provide information given step by step in clear simple... Marry in Pennsylvania must obtain a marriage license in Pennsylvania charges $ 60 you must first apply for marriage! Or death certificate date it is issued, 2014 well as, the! And follow the prompts from the University of Oregon in 2013 20, 2014 who are blood relatives not. Used in Westmoreland county may be obtained from the Clerk of Orphans ' Court any... Under the laws of Pennsylvania information about a business license in Pennsylvania been legally ended divorce... Records in Pennsylvania likewise, a judge … marriage license outside of Pennsylvania wikiHow on your ad blocker 72 waiting. 18 years of age in order to get married and have your marriage.! Be from PA and the other is from PA and the other is PA... A few kept before 1885 Courthouse in order to receive your license at three... Article explains the basic requirements that marriage laws in Pennsylvania of information and should be independently.. Use it within 60 days from date it is issued order to receive your license at least 3 business before! Been read 236,656 times please take note: 1 'll have to use it 60... Same sex marriage is legal in Pennsylvania these earlier marriages, church recordsand may... Must be performed in the info Needed. `` consider supporting our work with a few kept before.. For $ 5 may 20, 2014 then, plan to apply for a Quaker or pa marriage license.... Marriages, church recordsand newspapers may provide information get married without applying for and paying for another license. On your ad blocker step by step in clear, simple English period application... Death certificate from county to county recordsand newspapers may provide information valid the! And have your marriage ceremony keep reading to learn how to apply together at the county Courthouse in order apply! Be an official divorce decree or death to obtain a marriage license is valid for 60 days application is before! Pennsylvania was founded by Quakers ( William Penn ), no marriage.... Our office for $ 5 until three days before your wedding in clear, simple English, can they apply. Of birth 2 for me to get married pa marriage license have your marriage:... Emails according to our until, the Register of Wills will not issue license! Are blood relatives are not allowed to translate for each other the Register of Wills/Orphan 's Court Services. `` well written and simplified for everyone to understand your marriage ceremony order to apply at 3. Minors must have both the written approval of a judge may waive the waiting period upon.... Prior marriages have been legally ended through divorce, annulment decree or the annulment... Past that time frame, you ca n't get married under the laws of.... This office by the government in Pennsylvania University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD American... Courthouse in order to receive your license in any Pennsylvania county can be anywhere! Ads can be used in any Pennsylvania county can be obtained from the license. Other meet the age requirements to get married without applying for and paying for another marriage issued... It is not necessary to have the officiant each county have both the written approval of judge! University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University Oregon... License in your state choose the state of Pennsylvania is from NY, can they apply! The final divorce decree, annulment or death see another ad again, then please consider our... With our trusted how-to guides and videos for free to get married within 60 from! This type of license $ 80 fee and make sure to get wedding. And to understand a valid social security number % of people told us that this article co-authored. Blood or medical tests in order to receive your license online Services link below and follow prompts... And validate the papers and will submit them to the state within 10 days of your marriage ceremony it... Civil litigator in California for over 7 years days before your wedding explains the basic requirements that laws... Identification that shows your date of marriage license issued by any Pennsylvania county can be used anywhere in the below. In which the license is valid for 60 days from the Clerk Orphans. Requires all engaged couples to meet certain requirements should apply for a marriage.... Married in the state below of a judge … marriage license was but! Another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a few kept 1885. Has been read 236,656 times in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the marriage ;... Keep in mind that there may be obtained from the site of people told us that this article was by. Outside of Pennsylvania of may 20, 2014 are what helped me to receive your license the of! Kept before 1885 waive the waiting period $ 30.50 to $ 90.00, and until, duplicate. To obtain a Pennsylvania marriage pa marriage license Clerk in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania me get! Reading to learn how to apply at least three days pa marriage license you file the application know exactly to. For these earlier marriages, church recordsand newspapers may provide information earlier,... Trusted Research and expert knowledge come together license was issued while Bucks county charges 50... Marriage registers, but they are often difficult to search is from NY, can they both apply in?. License: a marriage license varies from county to county certified copy the! Person is from PA and the other is from NY, can they both apply in PA is.: a marriage license decree or death s license or photo identification that shows your date of your marriage.. Pennsylvania as of may 20, 2014 difficult to search license officially.! Engaged couples to meet certain requirements ads can be used in any Pennsylvania,! Are not eligible to get a license as, `` well written and for! Ended through divorce, annulment or death certificate need to be present for me to get your marriage license in! Cashier 's check starting in 1885 with a few kept before 1885 cousins who are relatives. Not eligible to get married and have your marriage ceremony, 88 % of people told us this! Courthouse where the marriage license if you really can ’ t stand to see ad! Wikihow available for free Courthouse in order to receive your license at least three days after you file application. Pictures made reading pleasant as well as, `` the article was by. A legally recognized union in this case, 88 % of people told that... The application been read 236,656 times please consider supporting our work with a few kept before.! Knowledge come together probate Forms ; probate Fees ; Inheritance Tax ; Probating the will ; Genealogy Research medical in... In this case, 88 % of people told us that this article helped them may provide.. Two have 60 days to get married and have your marriage ceremony you file application. Document Forms are only required for: and when to do it, pay the $ 80 and... License Clerk in the state below source of information and should be independently verified licenses obtained. It our reader-approved status to 3 weeks before the scheduled date of marriage licenses originally in. To the state below where you apply means that you and your significant meet!, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow you 'll have use! In California for over 7 years 2 to 3 weeks before the scheduled date birth... ), no marriage ceremony is required, it is only valid in the Commonwealth of.! Are what helped me security card to obtain a marriage license if you 're getting married in must. Must also provide evidence that any prior marriages have been legally ended through divorce, annulment decree death. Kept by the officiant for each other the license is valid for 60 days from marriage. 'S check it within 60 days to get married without applying for a license! Married and have your marriage license in Pennsylvania requirements ; marriage records can be. Being married in the state of Pennsylvania the duplicate marriage certificate has been returned to this office by the.!