Office of Vital Records. About Marriage Records in Pennsylvania Marriage records are managed by the Register of Deeds in each county. 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. Copies of recent marriage certificates can be obtained from the marriage license clerk in the county courthouse where the marriage license was issued. If you wait past that time frame, you can't get married without applying for and paying for another marriage license. Both applicants must appear together in person to complete the marriage license application. 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. For questions, contact Clerk of Courts. FEES The fee for a marriage license varies from county to county. Heal your gut! Keep in mind that there may be an additional fee for this type of license. All Rights Reserved. Application for the marriage license must have been made in Chester County, Pa from 1931 to the present. informative. Cash, certified check, or cashier's check. The Marriage License Department is located at: 455 West Hamilton Street Room 123.5 Allentown, PA 18101-1614 We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If either party is under 16, parental consent is required, along with an order of approval from a judge of the Orphans Court. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Copy of Certificate of Marriage License. No, it is not necessary to have the officiant with you. Frustrated with stomach issues? If one or both of the parties were married before proof must be provided of how the prior marriage was dissolved: Date of death or a copy of the final divorce decree ", "Well written and simplified for everyone to understand. Marriage Licenses. Marriage records were kept by the government in Pennsylvania starting in 1885 with a few kept before 1885. This documentation could be an official divorce decree, annulment decree or death certificate. Application and License $60, certified copy of marriage record $10 (due at time of application) for a total of $70.00. Does the wedding officiant need to be present for me to get my wedding license? This certification is … The bride and groom may not be legally married to any other individual at the time of application. Box 1528 New Castle, PA … Marriage records cannot be certified unless, and until, the duplicate marriage certificate has been returned to this office by the officiant. 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. Then, plan to apply at least 3 business days before your wedding, since most PA counties require a 72 hour waiting period. USEFUL LINKS Access public records (Marriages / Estate information) Application for a Marriage license Fee Schedule Orphans' Court Orphans' Court - Local Rules Confidential DOCUMENT Form. Some large cities have marriage registers, but they are often difficult to search. For more tips from our Legal co-author, like how to be aware of special rules that may apply to your situation, read on! Pennsylvania law requires a minimum 3-day waiting period after application is made before license can be issued. Doctor of Law, University of Wisconsin-Madison. If one person is from PA and the other is from NY, can they both apply in PA? 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. The marriage license can be used in any county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Your local County Register of Wills will have more information on the license fee in your county, as well as the cost of any additional fees that you may need to pay to get your marriage license such as translation services and certified copies. A marriage license may be obtained from the Clerk of Orphans' Court in any county in Pennsylvania. The license is only valid in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This means that you will need to apply for your license at least three days before your wedding. The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. For these earlier marriages, church recordsand newspapers may provide information. Love the graphics! 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. You should apply for a marriage license from 2 to 3 weeks before the scheduled date of your marriage ceremony. You do not have to be from PA to get a license. 4. Marriage Licenses Marriage Licenses. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Minors must have both the written approval of a judge … 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. Types of Marriage Licenses. You and your fiance will need to apply together at the County Courthouse in order to receive your license. If the license is not used within the 60 day period, the marriage license must be returned and the application process must be repeated in its entirety and the fee re-paid. It'll cost you $30.50 to $90.00, and you'll have to use it within 60 days. Applicants are not allowed to translate for each other. 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 Both parties must possess a valid Social Security number. Social Security number (Social Security card is preferred, but if unavailable, please provide Social Security number in a written form) 3. 101 South Mercer St., Room 401 P.O. 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. Under certain circumstances, a judge may waive the waiting period upon application. The ceremony need not be performed in the county in which the license was issued, but must be performed in the state of Pennsylvania. Depending on the county, online access may be available. Marriage Eligibility Requirements Applicants must be 18 years of age in order to apply for a marriage license. Do you need a social security card to obtain a marriage license in Pennsylvania? Anyone wishing to marry in Pennsylvania must obtain a Pennsylvania marriage license. 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. The Office of Vital Records in New Castle has opened its new location at: 105 Nesbitt Road New Castle, PA 16105 724-656-3100 A marriage license issued in any Pennsylvania county can be used in any other Pennsylvania county. You and your fiance will need to apply together at the County Courthouse in order to receive your license. Access the Criminal Court Calendar or Criminal Court Dockets. Preparing to Apply for a Marriage License, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Apply-for-a-Marriage-License-in-Pennsylvania-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Apply-for-a-Marriage-License-in-Pennsylvania-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Apply-for-a-Marriage-License-in-Pennsylvania-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1182869-v4-728px-Apply-for-a-Marriage-License-in-Pennsylvania-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"