The Clerk of the Orphans' Court takes marriage license applications and issues licenses, as well as certified copies thereof. On file are marriage license applications beginning in October 1885. An informational recording describing the application procedure and the procedure to obtain certified copies of licenses is available by dialing (610) 782-3173. Office hours for marriage license applications are 8:00 A.M. to 3:45 P.M.

Documentation and Requirements

• Applicants for a marriage license must appear together in person.
• The cost is $35.00 payable in cash only.
• Each applicant must present a form of identification; either a birth certificate or driver's license, and a social security card. (the latter is a statutory requirement effective January 1, 1998). Non-US citizens must produce their green card, passport, or birth certificate (translated to English).
• Any previously married applicant must produce evidence of the prior marriage's dissolution in the form of a certified copy of a divorce decree (the date of which must be at least thirty days prior to the application date) or a death certificate (or obituary from a newspaper of general circulation).
• As of June 26, 1997 there is no requirement that applicants have a physical and blood tests.

• There is a three-day waiting period from the date of application until the date of issuance of a license.
• Once issued, a marriage license is valid for 60 days anywhere in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Applicants need not be residents of the county in which they apply for a marriage license unless one of them is a minor.
• A minor applicants ages, 16 or 17, must be accompanied by their parents who must give their written consent to the issuance of a marriage license to the minor.
• A minor age 15 or under cannot be issued a marriage license even with the consent of a parent, without a determination by a judge that the marriage is in the minor's best interest.

Other Marriage License Information: