Home › Pennsylvania › How-To Guide
Pennsylvania · How-To Guide

How do I get a marriage license?

County Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans' Court (county level - each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties; some counties use different title for the same function)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Many Pennsylvania counties require or strongly recommend APPOINTMENTS - check your specific county and schedule an appointment through the county website or by phone well in advance
  2. Complete the marriage license application (many counties offer online pre-application to speed up the in-person visit); some counties now offer online applications with video appointments
  3. Both applicants appear together (in person or by video appointment in some counties) and sign the application under oath; pay the fee
  4. License is issued at the time of application BUT cannot be used for 3 days - THREE-DAY WAITING PERIOD starts after the application is complete (when both sign)
  5. Wait 3 days; some counties mail the license; others require pickup; verify with your county
  6. License valid for 60 days from date of issuance; must be used within PA within 60 days; if not used, must reapply and pay again
  7. One witness must be present at the ceremony (verify; some counties/sources suggest no witness required; confirm with your officiant and county - Pennsylvania law technically does not require witnesses for validity but most ceremonies have at least one)
  8. Officiant MUST return the completed marriage certificate to the issuing county within 10 DAYS of the ceremony; failure to return creates an incomplete record
  9. Certified copies of marriage certificate: available from the issuing county Register of Wills or Clerk of Orphans' Court; fees vary ($10-$25+ depending on county); request at time of application or after ceremony
  10. PENNSYLVANIA ALSO OFFERS A UNIQUE SELF-UNITING MARRIAGE LICENSE: Pennsylvania is one of the only states that allows a "self-uniting" (Quaker-style) marriage license - the couple marries themselves without an officiant; witnesses sign the certificate; this option is available to couples of any faith; fees slightly higher than standard license in some counties
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID) for both applicants; must be in English or accompanied by certified English translation
  • Social Security numbers for both applicants (SSN card preferred; written statement also accepted)
  • If previously married and divorced: certified copy of divorce decree (with court seal) dissolving the most recent marriage, required at time of application; if previously married and widowed: certified copy of death certificate required by most counties (or at least the date of death)
  • Both applicants must be 18 years of age or older (no exceptions in Pennsylvania; no minor marriage)
Fee
Varies by county - typical range $60-$100; examples: Erie $65, Lancaster $60, Butler $60, Montgomery $85, Dauphin $80, Philadelphia $90 (standard)/$100 (self-uniting); additional fees for certified copies and for waiver of waiting period (if granted; requires court order; rare); credit/debit card fees may apply
Waiting Period
3 DAYS after application is signed; 3-day waiting period CAN be waived by order of an Orphans' Court judge in cases of extraordinary circumstances; waiver fee typically $20+; requires formal petition to the judge - not commonly granted LICENSE VALIDITY: 60 days from date of issuance OFFICIANT RETURN DEADLINE: 10 DAYS after ceremony SELF-UNITING LICENSE: Unique to PA; available to all couples; no officiant required; witnesses sign APPOINTMENT: Required or strongly recommended at most PA county offices
Online Option
Many counties (Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester, etc.) offer online pre-application and even video appointments; check your county website
Where to Go
County Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans' Court / Marriage Bureau (varies by county)
County-specific variations apply

PA's 67 counties each administer their own marriage license process. Philadelphia County: Register of Wills, City Hall; online appointment; $90 standard/$100 self-uniting. Allegheny County (Pittsburgh): Department of Court Records; appointment required. Montgomery County: Register of Wills; $85; online application. Chester County, Delaware County, Bucks County: suburban Philadelphia; well-resourced. Western PA counties (Erie, Butler, Lawrence, etc.): Register of Wills; moderate fees. Rural central and northern PA counties: may have limited hours; call ahead.

Pennsylvania Notes

Important state-specific details

  • 3-day mandatory waiting period - plan carefully; cannot waive without court order.
  • No residency requirement; can apply in any PA county.
  • Pennsylvania's SELF-UNITING MARRIAGE LICENSE: unique nationally; available to all couples; requires witnesses.
  • No blood test required.
  • Divorce decree required with court seal - an uncertified copy is NOT sufficient.
  • Common law marriage: Pennsylvania abolished common law marriage effective January 1, 2005; marriages established before that date may still be recognized.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Pennsylvania DOS (general info) - dos.pa.gov; County Register of Wills or Clerk of Orphans' Court (varies by county); PA Vital Records (birth/death only - NOT marriage copies) - mycertificates.health.pa.gov