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. The procedures, directions and necessary forms to apply for a marriage license and to obtain certified copies are described below, and are more particularly set forth at Covid19 instructions, and on informational recording available by calling 610-782-3173.

Location & Hours Of Operation

By appointment only during the hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, applicants for a marriage license must appear together at the Marriage License Office. 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.

The Marriage License Department is located at:

455 West Hamilton Street

Room 123.5

Allentown, PA 18101-1614

 

Phone: (610) 782-3173

Documentation & Requirements

• To schedule an appointment for in-person interview, a completed Marriage License Application, and an Application for in Person Interview Appointment, together with all required supporting documentation, may be submitted via email to marriagelicense@lehighcounty.org or by regular mail to Marriage License Office, Room 123.5, Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 West Hamilton Street, Allentown PA 18101.
• Required supporting documentation
• Valid ID (US citizens: 1 of any of the following; non-US citizens; any 2 of any of the following);
• 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)
• Any previously married applicant must supply either a copy of divorce decree that is at least 30 days old as of the date of application, or a death certificate or published obituary.
• At the in-person appointment, every applicant who has a Social Security Number will be required to 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).
• Cost and form of payment
• The cost of the marriage license application is $50.00 due at the time of the in-person appointment.
• Payment by credit or debit card (MasterCard, Visa or Discover cards) is preferred; payment by cash is permitted.
• Certified copies of the marriage license record can be pre-ordered at the time of application at a cost of $10.00 each.

Issuance & Validity

• There is a three-day waiting period from the date of application until the date that the license becomes valid. . NOTE that during the judicial emergency, the 3-day waiting period has been waived by administrative order.
• Once issued, a marriage license is valid for 60 days anywhere in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Until further notice, at least one applicant must be a Lehigh County resident to apply for a marriage license in Lehigh County.
• Effective July 8, 2020, a marriage license cannot be issued to an applicant under the age of 18.
• In the event that a marriage license is either denied or expires without being used, the application fee is non-refundable

Re-Application Procedure

Applicants who have been unable to utilize a marriage license issued by the Lehigh County Marriage License Office before its expiration date because of COVID-19 restrictions, are eligible to re-apply for a marriage license one time without payment of an application fee or re-supplying any supporting documentation. Please complete and submit a Marriage License Application and a Petition For Expedited Reapplication For Marriage License to schedule an appointment for both applicants to appear at the ML Office to reapply and return the expired marriage license. Please do not re-apply until you have a confirmed wedding date and officiant.

Cetified Copies of Marriage Record

Certification of marriage license records regarding all persons who applied for a marriage license in Lehigh County can be obtained by completion and submission of an Order Form as follows: (walk-in requests for certified copies of marriage licenses are not accepted at this time)

1. By Email to marriagelicense@lehighcounty.org that includes PAYMENT by:
• Providing a telephone number at which the requesting party can be contacted to supply a credit card number (VISA, MasterCard, Discover). The cost is $10/certified copy and, for return by priority mail, an additional charge of $7.75.
2. Regular mail to Marriage License Office, Clerk of Orphans' Court, Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 West Hamilton Street - Room 123, Allentown PA 18101 that INCLUDES PAYMENT by:
• money order payable to the Marriage License Office in the amount of $10/certified copy, plus 7.75 for priority mail;

OR

• money order payable to the Marriage License Office in the amount of $10/certified copy AND a stamped self-addressed envelope.
3. Delivery to drop box located adjacent to Marriage License Office at the Courthouse that includes PAYMENT by:
• Providing a telephone number at which the requesting party can be contacted to supply a credit card number (VISA, MasterCard, Discover). The cost is $10/certified copy and, for return by priority mail, an additional charge of $7.75; OR
• money order payable to the Marriage License Office in the amount of $10/certified copy, plus 7.75 for priority mail; OR
• money order payable to the Marriage License Office in the amount of $10/certified copy AND a stamped self-addressed envelope.