Pennsylvania Marriage Records

Pennsylvania marriage records provide official information about all marriages within the Commonwealth. While the specifics differ, you’ll typically find the following information in a Pennsylvania marriage record:

• The full names of the bride and groom
• Birth date or date of birth of each party
• Marriage dates (the date of the event)
• Where the marriage occurred
• Name of the event officiant

Pennsylvania marriage records may also include additional information about the married parties, such as their occupation and age. They are typically managed and disseminated by the state judiciary along with related Pennsylvania family court records and civil records.

What Types of Marriage Records Are Available in Pennsylvania?

Marriage certificates and marriage licenses are civil records maintained by government institutions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These records are created by official agencies to document marriages and serve as legal proof of the event. A common misconception is that these records are identical. However, they are not.

Pennsylvania Marriage Certificate

A marriage certificate proves that two people are legally married after meeting the state’s requirements. The County Court Clerks typically maintain and issue certified copies of such records in Pennsylvania. To be lawfully wed in Pennsylvania, both parties must consent and be 18 or older. Intending couples must also have a valid license. After the union, couples can obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate by contacting the record custodian.

Pennsylvania Marriage License

To get married in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you’ll need a permit to perform the ceremony in any county. This permit is known as a marriage license. Applicants must fill out a marriage license application form as part of the application process. The government will only grant a license if the intending couple meets and satisfies several conditions. Licenses are typically obtained two or three weeks before marriage and have a fixed validity period, during which a couple must marry or reapply. Residents may be able to get licenses in person or via mail, depending on the county.

Are Pennsylvania Marriage Records Public?

Pennsylvania marriage records are generally open to the public per state laws. These records are officially recorded by government agencies and documented in writing, ensuring their availability to the public. Under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, anyone may obtain copies of non-confidential records maintained by all branches of the government at the state and local levels. Furthermore, the requester does not have to provide a reason for getting records, and there are no restrictions on use after a document is obtained. However, government agencies are permitted to redact sections of a record if it contains protected information, such as data that might infringe on a person’s right to privacy.

How to Find Marriage Records in Pennsylvania

Members of the public can find marriage records in Pennsylvania by following several general steps.

Step 1. Identify the County where the license was issued

Unlike some states, a central state office doesn’t maintain marriage records in Pennsylvania. Instead, they’re stored at whichever local county office issued the marriage license. The county clerk is responsible for recording, processing, and maintaining these vital records in the relevant town or county. Sometimes, the town or city clerk's office may also record and provide access to marriage bonds, licenses, and returns. Records remain in the county where the marriage license was obtained, even if the marriage occurred in a different county. Depending on the county and age of the record, some records may be maintained by the Register of Wills or stored in the county archives.

Step 2. Collect information about the marriage

To obtain marriage records in Pennsylvania, you must provide the court clerk with details about the event. Some information that can assist with a search includes the parties' names (at the time of the marriage), the officiant’s name, and the marriage date.

Step 3. Submit an Application

Submit a request to the appropriate record custodian, including all the collection information. You’ll need to pay a fee depending on the record type to obtain copies of a record. For instance, in Philadelphia, residents pay $25 for each copy of a certified record and $50 for an exemplified copy. Requests submitted via mail cost an additional $15 (research fee).

How to Get a Marriage License in Pennsylvania

To get a marriage license in Pennsylvania, applicants must meet several requirements.

First, couples must be of legal age and be willing to marry. To confirm the former, the county courthouse may require that applicants provide a valid government-issued ID such as a passport or driver’s license. Both parties may also need to provide their social security number.

Intending couples must also submit a written application that contains the following:

• Full name of both parties
• Full names of the applicant’s parents
• Details of the applicants (age, birthplace, residence and occupation)
• Details of the parents (birthplace, residence, occupation, age)
• A statement of which marriage it will be for each party (first, second, third, etc.)
• A sworn affirmation that neither party has a transmissible disease

Completed applications must be submitted (along with any other required documents) to the Marriage license department in the county. Some counties allow requesters to submit their applications in person, online, or via mail, while others offer fewer options. Marriage licenses are issued at the county courthouse. You’ll also be required to pay a fee along with your application. This fee is usually non-refundable. Payment can typically be made by money order, and the money order should be made payable to the appropriate office, such as the county clerk. Depending on the county, credit card payments like Visa and Mastercard may also be accepted.

Most departments require that applicants appear for an oral interview before granting licenses. Applicants may need to visit the courthouse in person to complete this process, although some courthouses may offer online interviews. If approved, marriage licenses are typically valid 72 hours after an application and remain valid for 60 days. For instance, if you apply for a marriage license on Tuesday, the license will only be ready by Friday.

Note: Getting a marriage license doesn’t mean that a couple is married. The couple must still be married by a qualified officiant. If a marriage does not happen before the expiration of the license, a new application will need to be submitted, along with the fee. Licenses must be signed by the officiant during the marriage and returned to the department within ten days.

Who Can Obtain Marriage Records in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, anyone can obtain marriage records. Per state laws, marriage applications are considered non-confidential and accessible to everyone. However, specific details on a record, such as social security numbers, are restricted from public view. Record seekers can obtain copies of a marriage record by contacting the county court clerk.

Certain persons, such as spouses, legal representatives, or other authorized persons, may request certified copies of a marriage record. These records are only issued to eligible parties. If both spouses are deceased, marriage records may be accessed by providing the original death certificates of both parties, along with proper identification and payment. To get a certified marriage record, applicants must provide details such as the full name of both parties (as at the time of application) and the number of records requested. You’ll also need to include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish to have the documents mailed to you.

Can You Lookup Online Marriage Records For Free in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, access to free online records varies from county to county. For instance, the City of Philadelphia provides access to a free online marriage license search tool for finding records from 1995. Record seekers can find marriage license numbers using at least one full name and a specified date range.

Residents can visit the official county or city website to access marriage records. Some websites provide digital images of marriage records for viewing or download, and online records are typically available up to the present date, depending on the county. Residents who cannot access documents online may need to submit a written request or visit the office in person.

Residents may also be able to look up free Pennsylvania marriage records using third-party platforms that offer this feature. Unlike the county courts, third-party platforms provide access to information accumulated from multiple counties within and beyond the Commonwealth, making them a convenient alternative for some searchers. However, the accuracy of the result may vary depending on when the database was last updated.

Is Pennsylvania a Common Law State for Marriage?

Pennsylvania previously allowed common-law marriages, but this changed in 2005 following the passage of a fresh law. As of 2023, Pennsylvania does not recognize common-law unions contracted within the commonwealth. However, Pennsylvania still recognizes all common-law marriages contracted before 2005. Before formal registration by civil authorities, churches often maintained marriage records, and personal records kept by officials or families served as proof of marriage.

In addition, Pennsylvania recognizes the validity of unions established in other states where this type of marriage is permitted. This means Pennsylvania will recognize the marriage of any couple that enters into a common law marriage in states like Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Texas, Utah, and New Hampshire.

Note: Although Pennsylvania statutes do not recognize common-law partnerships, some cities and counties recognize domestic partnerships. These include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Allentown, and Luzerne County. Under this type of union, couples live together under a legal cohabitation agreement, which addresses the rights and responsibilities of each party and the power of attorney.