Pennsylvania Marriage Records

Pennsylvania began keeping statewide marriage records in 1885. Over the decades, these records have become helpful for legal and genealogical purposes. Generally, marriage trends in Pennsylvania differ from national figures. The state's marriage rate of 5.3 marriages per 1,000 residents is significantly lower than the national average of 6.2 per 1,000 people.

Marriage records are the official documents that provide legal proof of a couple's union. Pennsylvania has different types of marriage records, each serving a specific purpose. They include:

• Marriage License: A marriage license issued before the wedding is an official document permitting a couple to get married. Marriage licenses are later used to prepare the final marriage record. Marriage licenses contain the full legal names of both parties, their dates of birth, ages, residential addresses, license numbers, issuance dates, and expiration dates. Marriage licenses are essential to ensure that both parties meet the legal requirements for marriage.
• Marriage Certificate: After the wedding ceremony, the marriage license, duly signed by the couple, witness, and officiant, is returned to the issuing office which issues the marriage certificate. Marriage certificates are the official, legal record of the marriage. It contains the full legal names of the spouses, the exact date and location of the wedding, officiant information, certificate or registration number, the date the marriage was registered, and the official seal of the issuing authority.

In Pennsylvania, marriage records may also be plain copies or Triple-Seal copies. Plain copies of marriage records contain basic details about the marriage. Typically used for personal and historical purposes, plain copies of marriage records cannot be used for official purposes as they lack the security features and authentication required for legal use.

The Triple-Seal copy also called the certified copy of a marriage record, is the legally recognized copy of a marriage record. A Triple-Seal copy includes the raised seal of the issuing county, the signature of the Clerk of Orphans Court, and an embossed certification verifying authenticity. The Triple-Seal copy is used for legal matters, including name changes and immigration purposes.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, marriage records, including marriage licenses and certificates, are maintained primarily by the Register of Wills and the Clerk of Orphans Court. There is no central government agency that collates marriage records or issues certified copies in Pennsylvania. Therefore, all marriage records from 1885 to date are issued at the courthouses in the state.

Persons seeking marriage records may apply for the document at the specific courthouse where the marriage license was issued. Depending on the county, record seekers may apply for the record in person or by mail. The application forms are usually available in downloadable format on the county's official website. Additionally, some counties offer online search tools to look up marriage records within their jurisdiction.

Generally, all applications for marriage records may include the following in their application:

• The full names of the couple
• The date and location of the marriage
• A government-issued identification card
• The required fees

Are Marriage Records Public in Pennsylvania?

Marriage records are considered public records in Pennsylvania. Under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, marriage records are open to the public for copying and inspection regardless of the marriage date. There is no waiting period for marriage records to become public as it is with other vital records in the state.

While anyone may request a plain copy of a marriage record in Pennsylvania, certified copies are closed to the general public. Certified copies, also called Triple-Seal copies, are accessible to the spouses named on the marriage record, immediate family members, such as parents, legal guardians, children, legal representatives of the couple, and persons with a verifiable interest, such as a court order.

How Much Do Pennsylvania Marriage Records Cost?

Certified copies of marriage records are maintained locally at the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans Court Office. Therefore, the fees may vary slightly from county to county. On average, the fee for the first certified copy of a Pennsylvania marriage record is approximately $20-$25. Additional copies of the records generally cost about $4 to $5 each. Many counties offer expedited services for an extra fee if you need the record faster, typically around $10 to $15.

When ordering the records by mail, you can expect standard processing to take between 2-3 weeks. With expedited processing, the turnaround times may be reduced to about 7-10 business days from the time the request is received.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in Pennsylvania?

Marriage records are considered public records and cannot be made confidential or sealed. Unlike states that offer options for confidential records, Pennsylvania law requires that marriage records remain accessible to the public. This implies that anyone may view or inspect marriage records in the state.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of Pennsylvania Marriage Records?

Verifying the authenticity of a marriage record in Pennsylvania ensures that your legal and personal affairs are in order. Generally, you may verify the authenticity of your marriage record for the following reasons:

• To prove your marital status and identity when applying for a passport or visa
• To ensure the accuracy of family trees and ancestral information during genealogy research
• To claim spousal benefits such as filing joint taxes or obtaining family insurance coverage
• During legal name changes or divorce
• To claim inheritance or social security benefits during legal proceedings

In Pennsylvania, marriage records are typically maintained by the local Register of Wills and the Clerk of Orphan's Court offices in the county. The records are verifiable at the courthouse where the marriage license was obtained. Authenticated marriage records, known as Triple-Seal Copies, contain the raised seal of the county, the signature of the Clerk of the Orphan's Court, and an embossed or ink stamp confirming the record is a legal copy.

Can I Find Pennsylvania Marriage Records Online for Free?

Yes. Aside from counties offering access to online marriage records, you can look up Pennsylvania marriage records online for free through non-governmental sources. These sources include:

• FamilySearch.org: It is a free genealogy website that provides searchable indexes and digital images of marriage records, including those from Pennsylvania. The platform is especially useful for genealogy research to trace lineages and build family trees.
• Pennsylvania State Archives: The Pennsylvania State Archives holds historic vital records, including marriage records, that are often digitized or available on microfilm. These records are considered public records and may be accessed for free.
• Third-Party Websites: Websites like PublicRecords.us aggregate public record information, including marriage records. These platforms provide free searchable indexes of records and are best used as a starting point for free marriage record research.

What Is Required to Get a Pennsylvania Marriage License?

In Pennsylvania, obtaining a marriage license involves several specific requirements, including:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years old
• Both parties must come to the courthouse together to apply for the license
• Present a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate if either party was previously married
• Present a government-issued photo ID
• Pay the marriage license application fees. The amount varies per county but ranges between $50 to $80.

There is a three-day waiting period after the license is issued before you can have your marriage ceremony. Once issued, the marriage license is valid for 60 days, during which the couple may have their wedding. If the ceremony is not held within the period, the license becomes invalid, and the couple may re-apply for a new marriage license.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in Pennsylvania?

Yes. You may amend your marriage records in Pennsylvania. However, the amendment is typically limited to clerical errors rather than significant changes. Generally, you may correct misspellings of one or both parties' names, addresses, and other personal details. The state also permits fixing mistakes related to the issue date on the license or correcting minor errors relating to the venue or county where the license was issued.

Amending Pennsylvania Marriage License

Correcting a clerical error on a Pennsylvania marriage license may be done before the wedding ceremony. In Pennsylvania, marriage licenses are typically issued and maintained by the Register of Wills or the Clerk of Orphans Court. Contact the local clerk's office where the license was issued. Many counties provide a specific form for amending or correcting errors on a marriage license. The form may be available on the county website or at the office. Submit supporting documents to effect the correction and pay the fees. The fees for correcting a marriage license vary per county but are typically around $10 to $20.

Amending Pennsylvania Marriage Certificate

Amending errors on a Pennsylvania marriage certificate are limited to typographical mistakes, incorrect dates, or address errors. Marriage certificate errors are typically processed at the Register of Wills or the Clerk of Orphans Court in the county where the marriage was recorded. Obtain the amendment form from the clerk's office or their official website and include a photocopy of any supporting evidence required to correct the error. Provide a copy of a government-issued photo ID for verification. The fee for amending marriage certificates generally ranges from $10 to $20, though the amount varies by county.