pa marriage license

wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. 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. Expiration Date of Marriage License: A marriage license is valid for 60 days from date it is issued. A marriage record or marriage certificate, which is received as legal proof of marriage after the ceremony, will be legally recognized in all states. Marriage records cannot be certified unless, and until, the duplicate marriage certificate has been returned to this office by the officiant. You should apply for a marriage license from 2 to 3 weeks before the scheduled date of your marriage ceremony. For these earlier marriages, church recordsand newspapers may provide information. Both applicants must appear together in person to complete the marriage license application. If this is not your first marriage and your previous marriage ended in divorce or annulment, you will also need to bring the official paperwork that shows the marriage was dissolved. Pennsylvania Marriage License If you're getting married in Pennsylvania, you must first apply for a marriage license. The Marriage License Bureau is located on the First Floor of the City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This guide will help you to find a copy of a marriage license in PA no matter what county your original marriage license was obtained in. Doctor of Law, University of Wisconsin-Madison. This means a certified copy of the final divorce decree or the official annulment papers. Criminal Court records are part of the PA Unified Judicial System. In order to get married in Pennsylvania, you and your significant other must be at least 18 years-old with a government-issued photo ID as evidence of age, or follow the procedures for an underage marriage. Telephone. First cousins who are blood relatives are not eligible to get married under the laws of Pennsylvania. USEFUL LINKS Access public records (Marriages / Estate information) Application for a Marriage license Fee Schedule Orphans' Court Orphans' Court - Local Rules Confidential DOCUMENT Form. Any questions may be directed to 724-284-5354. Pennsylvania law requires a minimum 3-day waiting period after application is made before license can be issued. Anyone wishing to marry in Pennsylvania must obtain a Pennsylvania marriage license. This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. No, it is not necessary to have the officiant with you. We now know exactly what to do and when to do it. For questions, contact Clerk of Courts. All applicants will need to provide their social security number and a government issued photo ID for the marriage license in Pennsylvania to be issued. This means that you will need to apply for your license at least three days before your wedding. Marriage licenses are issued at the county level in Pennsylvania. ", "Well written and simplified for everyone to understand. The officiant must sign and validate the papers and will submit them to the state within 10 days of your marriage ceremony. Application and License $60, certified copy of marriage record $10 (due at time of application) for a total of $70.00. 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. Love the graphics! License Application; Requirements; Marriage Return; Marriage License; Marriage Records; Probating the Will. The marriage license can be used in any county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; however, a PA license … Marriage Eligibility Requirements Applicants must be 18 years of age in order to apply for a marriage license. % of people told us that this article helped them. Box 1528 New Castle, PA … Click on the Register of Wills/Orphan's Court Online Services link below and follow the prompts from the site. The pictures made reading pleasant as well as, "Very easy to read and to understand! 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. ©2007-2013 City Applications, LLC. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. Heal your gut! An online application MUST be filled out prior to your appointment.. At least ONE (1) APPLICANT is required to be a Franklin County, PA resident. ", needed to know what was required to get a marriage license in PA.", How to Apply for a Marriage License in Pennsylvania, http://secureprod.phila.gov/wills/marriagelicense.aspx, http://gaymarriage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004857, http://www.alleghenycounty.us/wo/plan.aspx, http://www.buckscounty.org/government/rowofficers/RegisterofWills/MarriageLicenses, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Does the wedding officiant need to be present for me to get my wedding license? 4. For questions, contact Register of Wills. If you plan to get married in Pennsylvania, you and your significant other will have to file a joint application for a marriage license prior to the wedding ceremony in order to have the union legally recognized by the state. Minimum age to marry in Pennsylvania is 15. Depending on the county, online access may be available. Driver’s license or photo identification that shows your date of birth 2. 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 We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Philadelphia, PA 19107. The marriage license can be used in any county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Both applicants must appear in person with the following: 1. Certified Copies of Marriage Licenses. Copy of Certificate of Marriage Yes, all couples will need to apply for and receive a marriage license before their wedding in order to be legally married in Pennsylvania. Types of Marriage Licenses. Excellent! 4. Applicants are not allowed to translate for each other. Do you need a social security card to obtain a marriage license in Pennsylvania? Yes, the Register of Wills will not issue the license until three days after you file the application. I'm getting married in less than a month, and, "It gave me the knowledge of getting a marriage license that I never knew before. This site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advise. 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. Under certain circumstances, a judge may waive the waiting period upon application. The Marriage License Bureau archives all marriage licenses, issued in Lackawanna County from 1885 – to present day. Get a marriage license Both applicants need to visit the Marriage License Bureau in City Hall to get a marriage license from the City. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This article has been viewed 236,656 times. Unlike many states, Pennsylvania does not have a statewide agency that maintains copies of marriage records, so getting a copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania can require some sleuthing. Frustrated with stomach issues? Keep in mind that there may be an additional fee for this type of license. Marriage records were kept by the government in Pennsylvania starting in 1885 with a few kept before 1885. If one of the applicants does not speak English, a 3rd party translator who is at least 18 years old must be present at the time of the application. 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 Fee. If you or your significant other is a foreign national, you must present a valid and unexpired passport at the time you apply for the license. Confidential INFORMATION Form. Marriage License. $60 fee, cash only Please take note: 1. Once the Application for Marriage License has been submitted in person and the three day waiting period required by the State has passed, the Marriage License can be mailed, at no extra cost, directly to the home. 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. "Needed information was given step by step in clear, simple English. Cash, certified check, or cashier's check. Copy of Certificate of Marriage License. Probate Forms; Probate Fees; Inheritance Tax; Probating the Will; Genealogy Research. ", "The step-by-step answers are what helped me. What will we need to bring with us? Then, plan to apply at least 3 business days before your wedding, since most PA counties require a 72 hour waiting period. Foreign nationals will need to present a current and unexpired passport. Minors must have both the written approval of a judge … This documentation could be an official divorce decree, annulment decree or death certificate. A marriage license issued in Westmoreland County may be used anywhere in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Search Marriage Licenses. Approved. If either applicant is divorced, or divorce… Last Updated: August 6, 2020 Both parties must also provide evidence that any prior marriages have been legally ended through divorce, annulment or death. Deeds. For more tips from our Legal co-author, like how to be aware of special rules that may apply to your situation, read on! 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 ceremony need not be performed in the county in which the license was issued but must be performed in the state of Pennsylvania. You and your fiance will need to apply together at the County Courthouse in order to receive your license. The marriage license office does not schedule or perform weddings; it is the responsibility of applicants to arrange for a statutorily authorized officiant to perform their wedding. Office of Vital Records. The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. Pennsylvania requires all engaged couples to meet certain requirements. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. There is no residency requirement for a marriage license, however, this is a Pennsylvania marriage license and the marriage ceremony must take place within the Commonwealth. Since Pennsylvania was founded by Quakers (William Penn), no marriage ceremony is required. 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. This article has been viewed 236,656 times. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The Office of Vital Records in New Castle has opened its new location at: 105 Nesbitt Road New Castle, PA 16105 724-656-3100 But it is only valid if you are being married in the state. In this case, 88% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Some large cities have marriage registers, but they are often difficult to search. Application for the marriage license must have been made in Chester County, Pa from 1931 to the present. Access the Criminal Court Calendar or Criminal Court Dockets. This certification is … The fee to obtain a marriage license is $50 cash only. For more tips from our Legal co-author, like how to be aware of special rules that may apply to your situation, read on! The couple must also receive a marriage license from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which has its own requirements, before a marriage ceremony is performed. Register of Wills: (215) 686-6250 Marriage License: (215) 686-2233 (Applications) Marriage Records: (215) 686-2234 (Copies) Disclaimer: This web site, and all information contained herein, is made available as an information service only. Certified Copies of Marriage Licenses originally obtained in Butler County are available in our office for $5. You and your fiance will need to apply together at the County Courthouse in order to receive your license. Copies of recent marriage certificates can be obtained from the marriage license clerk in the county courthouse where the marriage license was issued. Application. To find more information about a business license in your state choose the state below. References wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If you wait past that time frame, you can't get married without applying for and paying for another marriage license. Marriage Licenses Marriage Licenses. This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. The ceremony need not be performed in the county in which the license was issued, but must be performed in the state of Pennsylvania. Marriage License Portal The Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' has created an online service that allows for submitting an online Marriage Application. Both parties must possess a valid Social Security number. This article explains the basic requirements that marriage laws in Pennsylvania set out for entrance into a legally recognized union. 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. Records available: 1885 - present. A license issued by any Pennsylvania county can be used in any Pennsylvania county, however, the license is invalid outside of Pennsylvania. The information on this site should not be relied upon as an official source of information and should be independently verified. You can simply become married by applying for a Quaker or self-uniting license. An original copy of the underage bride’s or groom’s birth certificate is also required. Likewise, a license issued in any other county in Pennsylvania may be used in Westmoreland County. Yes, all couples will need to apply for and receive a marriage license before their wedding in order to be legally married in Pennsylvania. Marriage licenses are issued at the county level in Pennsylvania. No, Pennsylvania does not require you or your fiance to get any blood or medical tests in order to get your marriage license. To apply for a marriage license in Pennsylvania, start by checking with the state government website to verify that you and your partner are eligible to be married. If one person is from PA and the other is from NY, can they both apply in PA? ", "The article was precise in the info needed.". A marriage license may be obtained from the Clerk of Orphans' Court in any county in Pennsylvania. You may appear at either our Levittown or Doylestown offices and complete the application in person, if you do not wish to complete your application online. Same sex marriage is legal in Pennsylvania as of May 20, 2014. By using our site, you agree to our. If either party is under 16, parental consent is required, along with an order of approval from a judge of the Orphans Court. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 236,656 times. Each applicant will need to know your mother’s maiden name, your parents’ current addresses, the state where your parents were born, and your parents’ occupations. A Pennsylvania marriage license is valid for 60 days. It'll cost you $30.50 to $90.00, and you'll have to use it within 60 days. If you do not have a social security card, then you will need to present two forms of ID - a driver's license and a birth certificate, for example. Make sure that you and your significant other meet the age requirements to get married in Pennsylvania. A marriage license issued in any Pennsylvania county can be used in any other Pennsylvania county. For detailed instructions on getting your marriage license, see: Instructions for obtaining a marriage license in Philadelphia Naturalization Records. The Marriage License Department is located at: 455 West Hamilton Street Room 123.5 Allentown, PA 18101-1614 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. For example, Centre County charges $50 while Bucks County charges $60. 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. About Marriage Records in Pennsylvania Marriage records are managed by the Register of Deeds in each county. Because the licenses are issued at the county level, the cost depends on where you apply. Confidential information / document forms are only required for:. Consent, Legal Age, and Capacity FEES The fee for a marriage license varies from county to county. Before September 30, 1885 the issuing oflicenses was not obligatory, but was intended for those cases where the bannswere not published or the marriage in church was dispensed with. You do not have to be from PA to get a license. 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. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. What this means is you two have 60 days to get married and have your marriage license officially recorded. informative. Thank you. 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":"