Application 

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Anyone wishing to marry in Pennsylvania MUST OBTAIN A PA MARRIAGE LICENSE.

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BOTH applicants MUST APPEAR together in person to complete the marriage license application.

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Applicants must have VALID ID: (e.g., current Driver's License, military or Penn DOT photo ID)

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Birth Certificates are required only when applicants have no other ID.

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All IDs must be in English or be accompanied by a certified English translation.

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Applicants must have Social Security Cards (federal & state mandates for US citizens). If you have lost your card, you must obtain WRITTEN VERIFICATION OF YOUR SS NUMBER from the Social Security Office.

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Where to Apply

 

Applicants may apply in any county within Pennsylvania.

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Application does not need to be made in the county of residence or where the ceremony is to be performed.

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Duplicates/Certifications can only be issued from the county of application.

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Contact the county where you plan to apply. (Hours and fees differ from county to county)

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Requirements

 

All applicants must be 18 years of age to obtain a marriage license without custodial parent's or legal guardian's consent.

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Applicants between 16-18 years of age MUST HAVE A CUSTODIAL PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN present to consent to the marriage application

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Applicants under 16 years of age must have BOTH written Court approval AND meet the custodial parent requirements.

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Consenting parent must have proper identification and proof of physical custody of the minor.

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Pennsylvania does not require premarital blood testing or physical examinations.

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When to Apply 

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Application must be made within 60 days of the wedding date.

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Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from date of issuance and may be used anywhere in PA.

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Do not apply unless you are within 60 days of your wedding date.

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PA law requires a minimum 3-day waiting period after application is made before license can be issued.

 

 

Who May Not Marry 

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Persons related by blood as first cousins or closer may not marry in PA. Other prohibitions and policies are posted in the Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court Office.

 

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Remarriages

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Applicants who have previously married MUST HAVE:

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• ORIGINAL death certificate (if widowed)

• ORIGINAL Divorce Decree dated more than 30 days prior to application date - *If female applicant is divorced and has changed her name, she must have certified documentation of same. If applicant does not have the original Divorce Decree, s/he must obtain a CERTIFIED copy of the Decree (with a court seal).Photocopies are NOT acceptable. Foreign divorce Decrees must ALSO have a CERTIFIED ENGLISH translation attached.

• Civil annulments require same documentation as divorces. (Church annulments are NOT accepted)

 

 

Out-of-State Marriages

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Anyone wishing to marry outside Pennsylvania must contact that state, territory, country, etc., directly. Legal requirements of that jurisdiction apply.

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Specific premarital testing information for other states is posted in the Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court Office.

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Fees

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Marriage license fees and hours vary from county to county.

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