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.

Location & Hours Of Operation

Hours for marriage license applications are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm; Applicants must appear together before 4:00pm to apply.

The Marriage License Department is located at:

455 West Hamilton Street

Room 123.5

Allentown, PA 18101-1614

 

Phone: (610) 782-3173

Documentation & Requirements

• Applicants for a marriage license must appear together in person.
• The cost of the application is $50.00. Certified copies of the marriage license record can be pre-ordered at the time of application at a cost of $10.00 each. Acceptable forms of payment include, cash, credit or debit - MasterCard, Visa or Discover cards (A 2.9% convenience fee is assessed for payments by credit/debit card.) Checks are NOT accepted.
• Applicants who are US citizens must present one acceptable form of identification; applicants who are non-US citizens must present two acceptable forms of identification. Acceptable forms of identification are: birth certificate, valid driver's license; valid state issued photo-ID; valid passport; valid visa; or valid green card.  Additional proof of identity may be required if circumstances so warrant.
• Every applicant who has a Social Security Number must produce their Social Security Card or other acceptable proof of their SS# (e.g. W-2; Medicare ID card showing the FULL 9 DIGIT NUMBER) at the time of application; failure to do so will cause the application to be denied.
• Any previously married applicant must present either a certified copy of divorce decree that is at least 30 days old as of the date of application, or a death certificate or published obituary.
• If either applicant does not speak or understand English an interpreter is required.
  • Applicants may bring an adult of their choosing to interpret for them, however one applicant cannot act as interpreter for the other applicant.  Non-English speaking applicants are encouraged to have any required identification and supporting documentation (e.g. birth/death certificates, divorce decrees) translated to English by a qualified interpreter before appearing to apply.
  • If Non-English speaking applicants appear to apply without an  adult of their choosing to interpret for them and without having had the required supporting documentation translated into English, interpreting/translation services will be provided at no cost to the applicants.

  Issuance & Validity

  • 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.
  • If either applicant is 16 or 17 years old, one or both of his or her parents must sign a consent form. Such applicants must provide a long form birth certificate reflecting the birth parents names. If the minor applicant's parents are not married to each other, the parent with legal custody must consent.
  • If either minor applicant is 15 years old or younger, in addition to the parental consent requirement, a hearing will be scheduled to obtain the judge's consent to the issuance of a marriage license.
  • In the event that a marriage license is either denied or expires without being used, the application fee is non-refundable

  Certification of Marriage Records

  Certification of marriage license records regarding all persons who applied for a marriage license in Lehigh County can be obtained as follows:

  • Send a written request containing the groom's name, the bride's name (including maiden name) and the approximate date of the marriage.
  • Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
  • Include payment ($10.00 for each record or copy requested) in the form of a money order payable to the Lehigh County Marriage License Bureau. No credit/debit card payments will be  accepted over the telephone or through the mail, you must appear in person to make a credit/debit card payment.
  Tracking address: Tracking code - do not email: crt6-biaibh@users1.lccpa.org (do not email this address - tracking purposes only)