Common-law marriage has diverse names, from "marriage in fact", "marriage by repute and habit", "informal…
Where to Apply
How do I get married in Pennsylvania?
To get married in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, first apply for a marriage license at any clerk of orphans' court office.
But I was told to apply at the register of wills office?
The clerk of orphans' court and register of wills may be combined in your county.
Residency
Is there a residency provision?
Your place of residence has no effect on the marriage license procedure.
Can noncitizens marry in Pennsylvania?
Non-U.S. citizens are free to wed in Pennsylvania.
Costs
What's the marriage license fee?
A Pennsylvania marriage license costs $30 to $90. The price varies by county.
What's the marriage certificate fee?
A certified copy of your marriage certificate costs between $10 and $25.
Does a self-uniting marriage license cost extra?
A self-unitizing or Quaker marriage license may cost an extra $100 or more.
Usage
Where can I use my marriage license?
You may use your Pennsylvania marriage license anywhere in the Commonwealth.
Can I use my marriage license outside of Pennsylvania?
You may only use your Pennsylvania marriage license in the Commonwealth?
Can I use a marriage license gained outside of Pennsylvania?
You may not use a marriage license sourced from another state in Pennsylvania.
Attendance
Do I have to appear in person?
Active duty members of the U.S. military may forward an absentee affidavit form.
What if I'm incarcerated?
If you're imprisoned, make plans with your warden to apply at the courthouse.
Application
What form do I fill out?
The marriage license application will ask you the following:
- Name
- First, middle, last, suffix
- Prior name
- Show maiden name restored after divorce
- Or show court ordered name change
- Maiden name
- If different
- Age
- Date of birth
- State or foreign country of birth
- Residential address
- May use confidentiality program address
- Social security number
- Will not be publicized
- Phone number
- Occupation
- Highest education
- K-12
- College
- Transmissible disease
- Afflicted, yes or no
- This marriage is
- First, second, etc
- Last marriage
- Bring proof
- End date
- End reason (i.e., death, divorce, annulment)
- Father
- Name
- Usual occupation
- Residential address
- State or foreign country of birth
- Mother
- Name
- Maiden name
- Usual occupation
- Residential address
- State or foreign country of birth
Will my application be public or private?
The clerk will file your application as a public record. Newspapers may publish your name.
What if I can't understand or speak English?
If you cannot understand or speak English, bring a third-party translator aged 18 or over who's armed with photo ID.
Does a self-uniting marriage use another form?
If you're opting for a self-uniting marriage, alert the clerk to give you the right form.
How long will it take to complete my application?
The application process takes at least 30 minutes. Arrive no later than 30 minutes before closing time.
Age Requirements
How old must I be to marry?
Aged 18 and over?
If you're at least 18 years old, you may marry if you're competent and not under guardianship.
Aged 16 and 17?
If you're 16 or 17 years old, your custodial parent or legal guardian must consent to your marriage.
Aged 15 and under?
If you're 15 years old or younger, get a court order and parental approval to marry.
How is consent granted?
Which court do I petition?
If you're below the age of 16, schedule a hearing with the Orphans' Court wing of the Court of Common Pleas.
Can consent be granted in person?
Your custodial parent or guardian may give consent in person or in writing.
What must parents or guardians bring?
Parents and guardians, bring ID and your child's birth certificate or guardianship proof.
Can I get a blank parental consent form?
You may find blank parental consent forms at the clerk of orphans' court office.
What if my parent can't come with me when applying?
Written notarized consent is fine if backed up by two adult witnesses.
Waiting Period
When will I get my marriage license?
Most counties will issue you your marriage license the day you apply, but a few will make you wait three days.
How soon can I use my marriage license?
Your marriage license will become active three days after you apply. For instance, apply on Monday to use it Thursday.
How do I get the three-day waiting period waived?
A court may waive the three-day wait for emergencies or active duty U.S. military.
Who can pick up the marriage license?
Either you or your partner may pick up your marriage license if it's being held.
Can my marriage license be mailed?
If asked, a few counties will mail you your marriage license.
Will a waiver cost extra?
The waiver fee is $20 to $25. The fee does not apply to active duty military.
Expiration
How long will my marriage license stay valid?
Your marriage license will expire 60 days after issuance.
What if my marriage license expires?
If your marriage license expires, you must reapply and repay the fee.
Identification
Do I need ID?
Bring current photo ID. A driver's license, passport, military ID, green card, or visa would work.
Do I need to bring my birth certificate?
Your birth certificate may be asked for if you do not have a social security number.
Do I need to bring my social security card?
You may need to show your social security card or a document containing your number, such as a W-2, tax return, or pay stub.
Will foreign or non-English documents be accepted?
Non-English birth, divorce, and death records you show must have a certified translation.
Blood Test
Do I need a blood test done?
Newlyweds haven't had to undergo a blood test and exam for syphilis since June 25, 1997.
Divorced
Do I have to prove I'm divorced?
Bring a certified copy of your divorce decree if your last marriage ended in divorce.
How soon can I marry after divorce?
You may get married right after your divorce is final.
Widowed
Do I have to prove I'm widowed?
Bring a certified copy of your ex's death certificate if your last marriage ended in death.
How soon can I marry after a spouse's death?
You may get married at once following a prior spouse's death.
Name Change
Can I change my name by marrying?
Change your name through marriage with a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
Can I change my last name?
You may take your husband's last name or hyphenate your surnames.
When should I start my name change?
You may work on your name change forms before or after marriage.
Witnesses
Are witnesses required?
Two witnesses must be at your marriage ceremony if you're self-solemnizing.
The Ceremony
Who may solemnize?
A judge, justice, mayor, or religious body or society may solemnize your marriage.
Can we have a self-uniting ceremony?
You may conduct a self-solemnized marriage ceremony without an officiant.
Does my officiant have to be registered?
The state and its counties do not register or vouch for officiants.
License Return
What's on the return?
Appended to the marriage license are two certificates. Keep the original. Send the duplicate to the issuing clerk.
Should I sign both certificates?
If self-solemnizing, you and two witnesses must sign. If not, just the officiant signs.
When must the certificate be returned?
Send the marriage certificate marked duplicate to the clerk who issued it within 10 days after marriage.
Marriage Certificate
How do I get a copy of my marriage record?
If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, get it from the clerk of orphans' court where you get your license.
Proxy Marriage
Can I get married by proxy?
You may not get married through a proxy, or by phone, video, or similar.
Prohibited Marriage
Can I marry my cousin?
You may not marry your first cousin in Pennsylvania.
Can I marry a family relation?
You may not marry your parent, child, sibling, aunt, uncle, or first cousin.
Can I marry a half-blood or non-blood relation?
Marriage law does not distinguish among whole-, half-, and non-blood relations.
Common-law Marriage
Can I enter into a common-law marriage?
Pennsylvania will only recognize a common-law marriage contracted on or before January 1, 2005.
Is a person with dementia permitted to marry in Pennsylvania ?? If the persons caretaker is advocating for the marriage to him/her is that legal ??
If the applicant isn't competent they can't get a marriage license without a court order.
The court may want to hear from the caretaker or guardian, but a court order is still a must.
Me and my fiance are planning to do a court marriage in Washington county, PA. We received our marriage license today. From where can we book a date for court marriage? Is it walk-in or do we need to take a date before hand?
Hi Parth. You can contact the Court of Common Pleas about available judges and if an appointment is required.
My friends pastor may have not sent our marriage license in after the ceremony we got married February 2018. They have the signed certificate from the pastor. Are they legally married?
Hi TJ. Have your friend contact the Clerk of Orphan's Court who issued the license. Ask if they received it. If not, have them inquire about registered a delayed marriage license.
My Fiancé he’s been doing both have to go down and get it or can I just go by myself
It’s supposed to say my fiancé is bed ridden. Do we both have to go down to pick up a marriage license or can I go by myself. I hate checking.🤦🏼♂️
“SPELL CHECK “ !!!!
Hi Mak. You'll have to contact the clerk of orphan's court to determine if they're willing to make special arrangements, such as a video conference application or verification.
I would like to apply for a marriage licence.
HI Tivis. This page explains how you do this. Do you have a more specific question?
We are from Maryland, but are getting married in Elizabethtown, PA. What is the process of obtaining a marriage license if we are out of the state? Do we need to get the license switched over after the wedding? How does this process work?
The process is the same for everyone: Pennsylvanians and non-state residents.
I don't know what you mean by this. Please clarify.
Does PA accept marriages from the Universal Life church? My friend asked me to get ordained online to perform her wedding, but I want to make sure this is legal. Thank you!
Yes, Pennsylvania law doesn't get into the weeds of which religious body is able to officiate or not.
My fiancé is currently incarcerated and because of the pandemic the prison is not doing ceremonies or even taking requests for marriage would I be able to legally marry through zoom? And can I get a marriage license still being that he’s incarcerated?
The Register of Wills office may be able to set this up for you. Some will contact the prison on your behalf and make the arrangements. It would be through video conference. Likely at the courthouse. I can't provide further details without knowing the precise county you'll apply in.
So what if one of you where adopted do they need to have their birth name too and that birth certificate or just the new name?
Hi Ann. Showing your birth certificate is only necessary if you don't have a social security number.
As for documenting your birth name (or maiden name), it's generally referring to your initial name at birth and not a name change through adoption. However, it's not as though the court clerk is going to get into the weeds on such matters.
Do we have to call and make and appointment to apply for our license?
Hi T. Could you specify which county you plan to apply in?
Northampton
Hi T. You can walk in.
My fiance and I get our wedding license on Wednesday, and were hoping to get married the following Monday. We live in Lycoming county and was wondering if I should call the courthouse and see if I need an appointment or if we can just walk in.
You should call ahead to make an appointment.
Hi,
My partner and I are non-US residents in NJ (one is under F-1 student VISA and the other is under H1-B employment VISA). We're looking for a state where we don't need an officiant. Since we both reside in NJ, can we still get married in PA? Is there any extra cost for us? What are the steps/precautions we need to know?
Yes, Pennsylvania would work.
No.
You may solemnize your own marriage without an officiant by completing the certificate portion of your marriage license and sending it the issuing clerk for recording.
I'm planning a courthouse wedding this October in Wilkes Barre, I've looked online & I'm still confused on where I find a courthouse to get married at.
Hi Nicole. You can contact the Luzerne County clerk of orphan's court for a referral. Keep in mind, just because there are folks working in the courthouse that can perform marriages doesn't mean any will or are available. You also don't have to get married in the same courthouse where you plan to get your marriage license.
Me and my girlfriend are looking to get married. Everything that is required as far as documentation signing and funds needed to process the whole ordeal isn't really a problem. Well maybe getting her signature and that brings me to my problem my girlfriend is currently locked up in county prison.
Can I have my uncle who is a major part in his churches ministry to conduct the ceremony during a no contact visit via telephone separated by glass be sufficient enough
Maybe, but it's up to the prison warden to approve and arrange.
We applied for self-uniting license, and I put my current legal name on the application. Will that affect my name change after marriage?
HI Alanna. You made the correct and only appropriate choice. You're post-marriage name change will go through fine.
Hi, can I get married in PA with expired passport while I have a NY driver's license?
Hi Lanre. Your ID should be current. If you're a NY resident, then your driver's license will work fine.
Hey, My non-Us partner and I plan on getting married next month through a religious ceremony back in our home country. I have applied for a marriage license and interview. He plans on traveling to the US the following month to do the interview with his Visa anticipating we get an interview date during that type. Can my marriage date be before the interview? And it is in less the 20 business days, how will that be affected?
If it's a green card marriage, the interview questions will be different. You and your partner may face greater scrutiny. If that's not a concern, it doesn't matter when your marriage takes place.
Me and my fiance are trying to have a court wedding in November of this year but I can't find where we can set up an appointment for the court wedding in Montgomery County in PA.
We are aware that we need to apply for a marriage license first and then obtain the license. And then make an appointment for the court wedding but we have no idea where we make an appointment for a court wedding.
Will you please guide us to get that information?
Hi Rachel. The register of wills in Montgomery County doesn't schedule courthouse ceremonies. They only issue marriage licenses. You can contact your local district justice for such services.
Hello. We want to have a self-solemnizing marriage (with witnesses, of course) at a location in Pennsylvania that probably will not have an actual address, i.e., at a scenic overlook or along a hiking trail in a state park or state forest. Do we have to enter an exact address of where we exchange our vows on the marriage license and/or marriage certificate?
Hi Julie. City alone is enough.
Can I use a drivers permit photo, or a expired school ID with birth-certificate and social card. I only have the permit photo until I pass the test to get the real ID but the dmv wait is beyond the date Im sappost to get married.
You'll have to contact the clerk of orphans' court in advance. They have the authority to offer latitude.
I got married back in November of 2021. I sent the duplicate copy through mail a day after my wedding and I have not yet to receive the receipt. How long should I be waiting for the receipt to come in or am I able to reach out to someone regarding this?
Hi Erica. There is no receipt. The only thing you might get back is a certified copy of your marriage certificate, but only if you've paid for it in advance.
If my wife and want to just get married in a court house how do I set that up? I'm in Carbon County. Lehington P.A.
Hi Kevin. The Carbon County, Pennsylvania Clerk of Orphans' Court office issues marriage licenses, but they do not conduct courthouse marriage ceremonies. You'll have to get in touch with a district magistrates office instead.
My soon to be mother-in-law was ordained online through the Universal Life Churches, and she will preside over my soon wedding. Will she need to be present when my fiance and I apply for the license?
After the ceremony, how does the license become permanent? Will my soon to be mother-in-law have to mail this license somewhere for official certification and recognition of our marriage?
No, the person who officiates your wedding does not need to attend the making of the application.
She must mail it back to the clerk of orphans' court who issued it.
In lower bucks County are court weddings by a judge taking place? Or have they stopped due to covid?
Hi Gene. You can review Bucks County civil officiants list.
Is there a waiting period once a divorce is final? In other words can you marry right away?
Hi Robyn. There's no post-divorce waiting period to remarry. You can get married right away.
My fiancé and I want to get married in the Lebanon courthouse. Can you tell me how to arrange this?
Hi Linda. You'll have to contact the Lebanon County Register of Wills to schedule an appointment ahead of time.
Hello, my fiancé and I were hoping to schedule a courthouse wedding at Berks County courthouse. Do you know how we go about arranging this after we apply for our marriage license? Thank you!
Berks County Courthouse doesn't perform civil ceremonies. If you contact them, they can provide you a list of third-party officiants who can perform your wedding, but not in the courthouse.
I'm getting married in Dauphin County, PA but I live in Maryland. Would I have to transfer the license to my home state or how does that work?
Your Pennsylvania marriage license and subsequent certificate will remain in PA within their vital records system. Maryland will not get involved.
Hello, hope your doing well. I'm from the Montgomery County. My future husband and I will be filling out and application for a self-uniting marriage. Can we go in person to apply? Can only one of us go to do so or do we both have to assist to apply for this license?
As I read it says here, we do not need an officiant. And that we only need two witnesses. Will they have to sign something the date that we chose to get married? Will it be requested the day of the application meaning there names?
Both of your witnesses must sign your marriage license.
Montgomery County is online only for the time being. That may change in the future.
When in person applications commence, only active duty members of the U.S. military may apply absentee.
Hello! Me and my fiancé are from Canada but moved to Wisconsin seven months ago for school. My fiancé has dual citizenship but I do not.
Our ceremony will take place in Pennsylvania on a Saturday and we are flying there the Thursday before. Our officiant is also from Canada and does not have US citizenship.
With all of these complicated details, how do we go about getting a marriage license? Do we apply for a marriage license in Wisconsin or Pennsylvania? Thanks!
Pennsylvania has a three-day waiting period before your license becomes active. So applying Thursday to marry Saturday won't work by default. You'll have to pay extra to get a waiting period waiver.
That's fine.
The application process is the same for U.S. Citizens and noncitizens.
You need to apply for your marriage license in Pennsylvania, as that's where your ceremony will take place.
What happens if the self uniting license is still valid but we did not mail it in within 10 days? My fiancé and I both got COVID right after and were on a 2 week quarantine.
Hi Tanya. The clerk of orphans' court should still accept your license. But you may want to contact them ahead of time to explain your situation and that your mail is incoming.
Hello there!
We are getting married in Carlisle, PA, but will spend our first couple years of marriage in Washington state, where my husband-to-be works. Do we need to get a license in PA and one in WA or will a PA license work/transfer across state lines?
Thanks a bunch!
You must get your marriage license from Pennsylvania: the state where your marriage will take place.
Your PA license will only work on PA.
Hi, my fiance and I are planning to have a self-solemnizing wedding in PA next week, our witnesses are from out of state, would this cause an issue?
No, the residency of your witnesses is a nonfactor.
If a friend who is not a preacher or minister is ordained over the internet, can she legally marry people in PA?
Yes, that would work fine.
Hi, my fiance is based outside the USA, can we still get a License to Wed and do we need a witness?
Hi Tosin. Attendance during the making of the application may only be waived for active duty members of the U.S. military.
I am from Pennsylvania and got married in China. Do me and my wife need to register our marriage in Pennsylvania?
Hi MX. You do not need to register your foreign marriage. It will be recognized in Pennsylvania as-is.
I can't find my divorce papers. Where can I get a copy so I can get married?
Hi Chris. Contact the Prothonotary office in the county where your divorce was finalized.
Hello, My ex and I applied for a self-uniting marriage license in 2020. We never signed the license or sent it back in. We have since broken up and I would like to marry my partner I have now.
Can I be sure my ex and I are not technically married? Do you have to send the self uniting license back in like a traditional license? HELP!
You're not married since you never completed the marriage license.
Yes, it must be returned after you're married.
Hi,
I am enquiring about getting a marriage license to get married in Dauphine County in August. We are from the UK so could you provide us with how to be able to apply for this marriage license online? On another website the form is only for USA residents.
Thank you
Hi Andy. You'll have to contact the Dauphin County Register of Wills and tell them their E-File form doesn't support non-US submissions. They'll have to make arrangements with you. They may ask that you choose a U.S. state anyway (e.g., Pennsylvania) and they'll manually correct it after the fact.
My fiancé and I are getting married this September in Irwin PA, I'm wondering if they recognize a person who has gone three the Universal Life Church as being a legal marriage in the state of PA?
Your marriage will be recognized as long as you were issued a Pennsylvania marriage license and your marriage was solemnized. Your church status or the status of whoever officiates isn't monitored or regulated.
My fiance and i want to get married. She is from the Philippines and was previously married. We petitioned for divorce and it was granted. Her six month visa has expired I am a US citizen. Can we still get married with just her passport, annulment papers, no visa.
Hi Dan. That should be enough.
Can we get married the same day we apply for our marriage license in Luzerne County? Thank you.
No, there is a three-day waiting period to get married, but you can request and pay for a waiver.
So I would like to apply for a marriage license for my fiancé and I. He is incarcerated in Clinton County correctional facility. How do I go about doing this?
The Clinton County website for marriage licenses says that both parties must be present to apply for a marriage license. But I know it IS possible to marry someone while they are incarcerated. Can anyone lead me in the right direction? Thanks
Have your fiancé make arrangements with the warden to facilitate your marriage license and ceremony.
I'm getting license tomorrow. Where do I actually get married in Dauphin County and how much does it cost?
Anywhere, and anywhere in Pennsylvania.
Fees are not standardized. Your officiant sets their own fees.
How soon after completion of a PA marriage application process and after physically receiving the marriage license are we considered "legally married"?
Hi PB. You're officially married once your ceremony concludes and marriage license signed. But the state won't know about its existence until the license is returned for recording.
Hi! My partner and I wish to marry. I am a US citizen but he is not. What will he have to do for us to apply for a marriage license? And will our marriage be recognized if we relocate to another state?
Just fulfill the standard ID requirements.
Yes, your marriage will be recognized across the U.S.
Hello,
If you want to get married at the courthouse in Lycoming County, how would you go about actually setting up an appointment to do so? I am not finding anything on how to do this.
You can find a list of register-acknowledged Lycoming County judges who perform marriages.
Hello! If we get married by an officiant (non-self uniting ceremony), how many witnesses will we need?
Hi Devon. You still need two witnesses.
Hi Kenneth. You can upload a photocopy or photograph of your divorce decree. As for the Maryland divorce decree, not every decree has a golden seal. Some are stamped. There must be a marking that shows it is official.
Hello. Does the minister have to physically return the license to the courthouse, or can they mail the document in, after the ceremony? Thank you for the information!
Hi NS. The marriage license may be returned for recording either by mail or in person.
My first husband passed away almost 5 years ago. My fiancé's wife passed away 4 years ago. Do we need to supply death certificates?
Hi CH. Yes, it's a good idea to bring proof.
What is required to be legally remarried again in Schuylkill County Pennsylvania?
Hi MJ. You can renew your vows informally, but there isn't a remarriage marriage license option.
Hi there! Thanks for being so informative. Do I have to apply for marriage license in the county I'm getting married in or can I get one in any county of PA? Wedding is in Crawford County.
Hi Dom. You can apply for a marriage license in any Pennsylvania county and then get married in any county.
Can an ordained minister from Open Ministry perform a ceremony in Lackawanna County?
HI Sharon. A religious official from any institution may perform a marriage ceremony anywhere in Pennsylvania.
I need to print out an application for marriage. Where can I do that? Tried calling, and just rerouted to a VM.
Hi Erin. Which county do you need an application from?
My fiancee is currently incarcerated, how would we both be able to appear in person to get the marriage license? Also how much is the marriage license fee in Mercer County Pennsylvania?
The prison warden will facilitate this.
It's $40.
My friend who got ordained online through American marriage ministry will be officiating My wedding in pa. Is this legal?
Hi Amanda. Yes, anyone ordained online may legally officiate marriage in Pennsylvania.
After we get our marriage license can we get married that same day as a walk-in? Or do we have to set up an appointment? Carbon County.
You can't get married the same day you receive your marriage license due to the three-day waiting period.
Always assume you need an appointment.
Must I take my husband's last name or can I keep my current name after we get married? This will be my fourth marriage and there is so much that would need to be changed. Is that a problem?
Hi LMG. You don't have to change your name after getting married if you don't want to.
What do I need to do to get married at courthouse in Allegheny County? Was hoping to "tie the knot" on April 12th. What do you suggest I do? Thank you
HI E. H. You should schedule your ceremony well in advance.
So, we both hate our last names and have decided to go with a different last name unique to both of us. Does she have to use a non marriage type name change because she's not taking mine and we aren't hyphenating. Am I allowed to use the marriage name change to change mine?
Hi Kyle. In Pennsylvania, you can't make up an entirely new last name through marriage. You'll both have to petition the court for a name change.
Thank you for the quick response.
Does PA offer any discounts or incentives for taking a marriage prep program? If so, is there a link to details or a number I can call to speak to someone about this?
Hi Joanna. No, Pennsylvania doesn't participate in premarital preparation courses.