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Marriage Laws United States Pennsylvania Wedding Officiants

Marriage license Laws in the state of Pennsylvania, here is what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the Pennsylvania marriage laws before filling out the Pennsylvania marriage license form.

In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.

You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.

When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, but you'll need to apply for the certificate together, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.

And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.

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ID Requirement: Drivers License and Social Security number.

Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Pennsylvania.

If previously married: Applicants who have been previously married must provide the following information concerning the dissolution of the most recent marriage.

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• Divorces: Must present decree. If maiden name has been resumed, must present that document.

• Annulments: The same information as is required for divorces.

• Widowed: The date of death of the deceased spouse.

Application Requirement: Both parties to a marriage should appear in person to obtain the license.

Fees: $40 - Cash Only.

•  There are no exceptions or waivers to the license fee.

•  No extensions or refunds are made once the license is issued.

Waiting Period: 3 days. There is a three day waiting period from the day the license is issued until it can be used.

Blood Tests: No test.

Under 18: If under 18 years of age applicants may marry with consent of a parent or guardian. Applicants must present Birth Certificate plus an additional $5.00

•  If Under 16 years of age with the approval of a Judge of the Orphans Court, as well as parent or guardian.

Legal age for marriage in the State of Pennsylvania for both bride and groom is 18.

Marriage Ceremony: Marriage ceremonies may be performed by the following:
•  Judges

•  Justices of Peace

•  County Clerks or their Deputies within appointing county

•  Persons appointed to perform the ceremony by a congregation having regular meetings in the state (i.e., ministers, pastors, priests, rabbis).

Proxy Marriages: No. Both parties must be present.

Common Law Marriage: No.

Cousin Marriage: No.

Officiants: Ministers of any church organized, carrying on its work, and having congregations in this state may perform marriages in this state if authorized by their church to do so. Before performing marriages, ministers must file their credentials with the county clerk of the county in which they reside or in which the marriage is to be performed. Ministers must give the bride and groom a marriage certificate upon request. Also, the minister must send a marriage certificate to the county clerk who issued the marriage license within one month after the marriage.

Valid: License is valid for 60 days.
The license can only be used within the State of Pennsylvania.

It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.

To notify us of corrections or additions send an email to update@usmarriagelaws.com.  Please include the state and county information.

Pennsylvania Clerk's Office

Adams County Gettysburg, PA 717.334.6781 Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PA 412.350.4230 Armstrong County Kittanning, PA 724.543.2500 Beaver County Beaver, PA 724.728.5700 Bedford County Bedford, PA 814.623.4833 Berks County Reading, PA 610.478.6617 Blair County Hollidaysburg, PA 814.693.3080 Bradford County Towanda, PA 570.265.1703 Bucks County Doylestown, PA 215.348.6257 Butler County Butler, PA 724.284.5354 Cambria County Ebensburg, PA 814.472.1440 Cameron County Emporium, PA 814.486.3349 Carbon County Jim Thorpe, PA 570.325.2261 Centre County Bellefonte, PA 814.355.6724 Chester County Westchester, PA 215.344.6335 Clarion County Clarion, PA 814.226.4000 Clearfield County Clearfield, PA 814.765.2641 Clinton County Lock Haven, PA 570.893.4010 Columbia County Bloomsburg, PA 570.389.5615 Crawford County Meadville, PA 814.333.7442 Cumberland County Carlisle, PA 717.240.6345 Dauphin County Harrisburg, PA 717.257.1591 Delaware County Media, PA 610.891.4400

Elk County Ridgway, PA 814.776.5349 Erie County Erie, PA 814.451.6264 Fayette County Uniontown, PA 724.430.1206 Forest County Tionesta, PA 814.755.3526 Franklin County Chambersburg, PA 717.261.3805 Fulton County Mc Connellsburg, PA 717.485.4212 Greene County Waynesburg, PA 412.852.1171 Huntingdon County Huntingdon, PA 814.643.2740 Indiana County Indiana, PA 724.465.3860 Jefferson County Brookville, PA 814.849.1610 Juniata County Mifflintown, PA 717.436.7709 Lackawanna County Scraton, PA 570.963.6702 Lancaster County Lancaster, PA 717.299.8243 Lawrence County Newcastle, PA 724.656.2440 Lebanon County Lebanon, PA 717.228.4414 Lehigh County Allentown, PA 610.782.3173 Luzerne County Wilkes-Barre, PA 570.825.1668 Lycoming County Williamsport, PA 570.327.2262 Mc Kean County Smethport, PA 814.887.3260 Mercer County Mercer, PA 724.662.3800 Mifflin County Lewistown, PA 717.242.1449 Monroe County Stroudsburg, PA 570.420.3400 Montgomery County Norristown, PA 610.278.3000

Montour County Danville, PA 570.271.3012 Northampton County Easton, PA 610.559.3060 Northumberland County Sunbury, PA 570.988.4143 Perry County New Bloomfield, PA 717.582.2131 Philadelphia County Philadelphia, PA 215.685.7681 Pike County Milford, PA 570.296.7231 Potter County Coudersport, PA 814.274.8370 Schuylkill County Pottsville, PA 570.622.5570 Snyder County Middleburg, PA 570.837.4226 Somerset County Somerset, PA 814.445.2096 Sullivan County La Porte, PA 570.946.7351 Susquehanna County Montrose, PA 570.278.4600 Tioga County Wellsboro, PA 570.724.9281 Union County Lewisburg, PA 570.524.8761 Venango County Franklin, PA 814.432.9577 Warren County Warren, PA 814.723.7550 Washington County Washington, PA 724.228.6806 Wayne County Honesdale, PA 570.253.5970 Westmoreland County Greensburg, PA 724.830.3177 Wyoming County Tunkhannock, PA 570.836.3200 York County York, PA 717.771.9615

To notify us of corrections or additions send an email to update@usmarriagelaws.com.  Please include the state and county information.