PENNSYLVANIA MARRIAGE LICENSE GUIDE
How to Get a Marriage License in Pennsylvania
Planning a wedding in Pennsylvania begins with one important legal step: obtaining a valid marriage license. This guide explains the statewide waiting period, expiration date, application process, ceremony requirements, witnesses, paperwork return, and certified copies in clear, practical terms.
County procedures, fees, identification requirements, and appointment options may vary. Always confirm the current instructions with the Pennsylvania county where you plan to apply.
Pennsylvania at a Glance
This guide provides general statewide information. Always follow the current instructions from the Pennsylvania county issuing your license.
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
How the Pennsylvania Marriage License Process Works
Although individual counties may use different application procedures, the overall Pennsylvania marriage license process follows the same basic path. Begin early enough to account for the waiting period, but not so early that the license expires before your wedding.
01
Choose the County Where You’ll Apply
Pennsylvania marriage licenses are issued by county offices. A license issued by any Pennsylvania county may be used for a wedding anywhere in the Commonwealth. Because fees, appointment requirements, and application procedures can vary by county, begin by choosing where you will apply and reviewing that office’s current instructions.
02
Complete the Marriage License Application
Follow the issuing county’s instructions to complete the application and pay the required fee. Depending on the county, you may apply in person, complete the application online, or begin online before an in-person or virtual interview. Both applicants should be prepared to participate in the county’s required finalization process.
03
Allow for Pennsylvania’s Three-Day Waiting Period
Pennsylvania law generally requires a waiting period before a marriage license can be issued. The license may not be issued before the third day following the application unless a court authorizes an exception for an emergency or extraordinary circumstance. Build this waiting period into your wedding timeline.
04
Use the License Within 60 Days
Once issued, a Pennsylvania marriage license is valid for no longer than 60 days from its date of issue. Your wedding must take place during that period, so apply early enough to allow for the waiting period—but close enough to your wedding date that the license will still be valid.
05
Hold the Ceremony and Record the Marriage
After the ceremony, the officiant completes and signs the marriage certificate. The duplicate certificate must be returned within 10 days to the county court that issued the license so the marriage can be officially recorded. For a self-uniting marriage, the couple and two witnesses complete the certificate and return it within the same 10-day period.
BEFORE YOU APPLY
What You Need to Apply for a Pennsylvania Marriage License
Exact requirements vary by county and by each applicant’s circumstances. In general, be prepared with current identification, Social Security information, documentation related to any prior marriage, and payment for the issuing county’s fee. Always review that county’s current instructions before applying.
Current Photo Identification
Each applicant should be prepared to present a current government-issued photo ID. Check the issuing county’s instructions for accepted forms and whether any additional identification is required.
Social Security Information
Each applicant should be prepared to provide a Social Security number or other tax-identification information accepted by the issuing county. Follow the county’s instructions for acceptable proof; some offices require documentation, while others state that the physical Social Security card is not necessary.
Prior Marriage Documentation
If either applicant was previously married, be prepared to provide documentation showing how the most recent marriage ended. Depending on the county and circumstances, this may include a divorce decree, annulment record, death certificate, or other proof of death. Foreign-language documents may require an official English translation.
County Fee and Payment
Be prepared to pay the marriage license fee required by the issuing county. The amount, accepted payment methods, and timing of payment vary by county, and electronic payments may include a processing fee. Confirm the current fee and payment instructions before applying.
THE CEREMONY
Pennsylvania Wedding Ceremony Requirements
A valid Pennsylvania marriage license must be obtained before the ceremony. Most couples marry before a person or religious organization authorized under Pennsylvania law, while couples using a self-uniting license perform the ceremony themselves with two witnesses who attest the marriage certificate.
A Qualified Officiant
For a standard Pennsylvania marriage license, the ceremony must be performed by a person or religious organization authorized under state law. If you’re still deciding who will perform your ceremony, see our guide to who can officiate a wedding in Pennsylvania, including friend and family officiants, self-uniting marriages, and professional officiant considerations. Bring the valid marriage license to the ceremony.
Witness Requirements
For a ceremony performed by an authorized officiant, the Pennsylvania marriage certificate is signed by the officiant and does not include witness signature lines. A self-uniting marriage is different: two witnesses must be present, and those same witnesses must attest the marriage certificates.
Self-Uniting Marriages
Pennsylvania also permits a marriage to be performed by the couple themselves using the appropriate self-uniting documents. The couple signs the marriage certificates, two witnesses attest both certificates, and the duplicate must be returned within 10 days to the court that issued the license.
AFTER THE WEDDING
Returning the Marriage Certificate and Getting Certified Copies
After the wedding, the completed duplicate marriage certificate must be returned within 10 days to the court that issued the license so the marriage can be recorded. Once the record is available, certified copies may be requested from the issuing county according to that office’s procedures and current fees.
Return the Completed Certificate
After the ceremony, the officiant—or the couple and two witnesses for a self-uniting marriage—must complete the duplicate certificate and return it within 10 days to the court that issued the license. The original certificate is retained by the couple.
Request Certified Copies
Once the county has recorded the marriage, certified copies can be requested from the court or county office that issued the license. Processing times, request methods, identification requirements, and fees vary by county, so follow the issuing office’s current instructions.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Pennsylvania Marriage License FAQs
Here are answers to several common questions couples ask while planning to obtain and use a Pennsylvania marriage license. Because county procedures, fees, and appointment options can change, always confirm the current instructions with the county office issuing your license.
OFFICIAL COUNTY RESOURCES
Official Marriage License Resources for Counties We Serve
Marriage license procedures, appointment options, fees, and certified-copy instructions vary by county. Use the official resources below for the Pennsylvania counties Ever After Vows serves most frequently.
YOUR CEREMONY, YOUR WAY
Ready to Make It Official?
Wherever you are in the planning process, Ever After Vows can help you create a ceremony that feels personal, meaningful, and completely your own. From intimate elopements and license signings to fully customized wedding ceremonies, every couple receives thoughtful guidance and a calm, professional presence from the first conversation through the wedding day.