To obtain a marriage license in Pennsylvania, just read the special instructions, gather your documents, and then follow these steps!
AGE:
To be married in Pennsylvania, you must be 18 years old with a valid, US-issued government photo ID. You can be married as young as 15 in PA, but the underage person must have his/her original birth certificate, written parental consent, and written consent of a judge from the Orphans Court.
DOCUMENTS TO PROVIDE:
NOTE: If you do not have these documents, your application will not be accepted:
Current and Valid Photo ID:
- Driver’s License
- State I.D.
- International Driver’s License
- Passport
- Visa
- Military I.D.
- Resident Alien Card
- Consulate Card
AND a Social Security card or any other form of I.D. issued by an official entity which reflects the applicant’s Social Security number
- W-2 form
- Income Tax Return
- Prescription Card
- Access Card
- If an applicant does NOT possess a Social Security number he/she must produce a Secondary I.D. in the form of a birth certificate (officially translated, if appropriate); or any other form of I.D. issued by an official entity, in addition to the above-noted current, valid photo I.D. Documents in a language other than English must be an original accompanied by a notarized English translation.
- If an applicant does not speak English, you must bring an interpreter.
PROOF OF DISSOLUTION OF PREVIOUS MARRIAGES:
If either applicant was previously married, proof of dissolution of the latest marriage must be submitted at the time of application.
- A widowed applicant must submit a certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse.
- A divorced applicant must provide a certified copy of the most recent divorce decree.
- If either of the foregoing documents is not written in English it must be translated to English and the translation must be certified to be correct.
FEES:
- Marriage license fees in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vary from county to county. Please call the county in which you will be applying for their fees and other requirements.
- In Pennsylvania, you do not need a marriage ceremony. You can apply for a Quaker/Self-Uniting License, and the fee varies by county. If you want this type of license, you need to inform the clerk before you begin the application process.
WAITING PERIOD:
- There is a three (3) day waiting period from the completion of the application process to the issuance of the license.
- The license will be given to you at the time of your application.
- It cannot be used until the date of issuance, which is three (3) days later.
- The issuance date appears on the license.
- The three (3) day waiting period begins after both applicants appear in person together at the Marriage License Bureau.
WEDDING OFFICIANTS – WHO CAN MARRY YOU?:
- Any ordained minister, priest or rabbi of any regularly established church or congregation
- Judges and Justices of Peace may perform wedding ceremonies. Mayors of cities and boroughs are also authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.
The officiant performing the marriage ceremony must complete and file the marriage return – the bottom portion of the marriage license – with the marriage license office that issued the license within ten (10) days of the date of the ceremony.
A marriage record will not exist if the officiant who performs the marriage fails to file this document.
EXPIRATION DATE:
- A marriage license is valid for 60 days from date it is issued.
- The marriage license can be used in any county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
GET TO THE COURTHOUSE – IN A NUTSHELL:
- Applicants that wish to be legally married in the state of Pennsylvania must first apply for a marriage license application at their nearest Marriage License Bureau of the Register of Wills and complete the application process.
- Applicants should take the necessary steps to obtain a Marriage License 2 to 3 weeks before the scheduled date of their marriage ceremony.
- Both applicants seeking a marriage license must appear together in person at the Marriage License Bureau of the Register of Wills office to complete the process.
- Photo identification is required in PA
- Marriage license fees vary from county to county. Please call or visit the website of the county Register of Wills in which you will be applying for their fees and other requirements.
- There is a three (3) day waiting period from the completion of the application process to the issuance of the license.
- A marriage license is valid for 60 days from date it is issued.
- Be sure to contact your Local Marriage License Bureau well in advance of the wedding to find out on what days and during what hours the clerk will be in the office. Some locales will require an appointment.
- An independent translator must accompany the applicants for any non-English speakers.