What You Need to Do to Get Married in Pennsylvania
To marry in Pennsylvania, you must obtain a marriage license from the county clerk's office in the county of your choice. You and your partner both go in person, bring required documents, pay a fee, and receive a license valid for 60 days. You do not need to wait between getting the license and the ceremony — Pennsylvania has no waiting period. The license itself is not the marriage; a licensed officiant (judge, clergy, or authorized person) must solemnize the marriage and return the signed license to the county within 10 days of the ceremony.
The process is straightforward: both of you appear together, show ID and proof of age, provide Social Security numbers, pay the fee, and walk out with the license in hand. If either of you was married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must appear with you and provide written consent. Pennsylvania does not require a blood test or medical exam.
Key Takeaways
- Both partners must appear together in person at the county clerk's office to obtain a license; one person cannot explore alone.
- You will need a valid photo ID, proof of age, and a Social Security number for each partner; Pennsylvania does not require a blood test.
- The license costs between $5 and $15 depending on the county, and you can obtain it from any Pennsylvania county clerk's office regardless of where you live or marry.
- The license is valid for 60 days from the date issued, and you must have a licensed officiant sign it during or when ready after the ceremony.
- The signed license must be returned to the county clerk within 10 days of the ceremony, or your marriage will not be recorded in the county's official records.
Which County Clerk's Office to Visit
You can obtain your license from the clerk's office in any Pennsylvania county, not necessarily the one where you live or where the ceremony will take place. Many couples choose the county where the ceremony will happen for convenience, but it is not required. If you live in Philadelphia, you go to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Marriage License Division; if you live elsewhere in Pennsylvania, you go to your county's clerk of courts office.
Find your county clerk's office by searching "[your county name] clerk of courts" online or calling the main courthouse number. Hours vary by county — some offices are open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while others have different schedules. A few counties offer evening or Saturday hours; call ahead to confirm before you go. Most clerks' offices can tell you over the phone what documents to bring and what the fee is, so you do not waste a trip.
Documents and Information You Must Bring
Both you and your partner must bring a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will also need to provide your Social Security number and date of birth. If either of you has been married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse. If you are under 18, you will need written consent from a parent or guardian, and that parent or guardian must appear with you at the clerk's office.
Pennsylvania does not require a blood test or medical examination. You do not need to bring witnesses to the clerk's office — witnesses are only needed at the ceremony itself. Bring your checkbook or be prepared to pay the fee in cash or card, depending on what the county accepts. The clerk will ask you both questions about your names, dates of birth, and whether either of you is already married; answer honestly, as false information on the license can invalidate the marriage.
The Fee and What It Covers
The license fee ranges from $5 to $15 per county. Some counties charge extra for certified copies of the license — typically $1 to $5 per copy. Ask the clerk how many certified copies you may want; you will need at least one for your records, and you may want extras for name-change documents, insurance updates, or other purposes. The clerk can tell you the exact fee for your county when you call or visit.
Payment is usually cash, check, or card, but methods vary by county. Call ahead to confirm what your county accepts so you do not make a wasted trip. Some counties may offer a discount if you pay in cash rather than by card. The fee is a one-time charge for the license itself; you will pay separately later if you want additional certified copies of the marriage certificate after the marriage is recorded.
How Long the License Is Valid and What Happens Next
Your marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it. You must have the ceremony and have an officiant sign the license within that window. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires and you must explore for a new one and pay the fee again.
The officiant — whether a judge, minister, rabbi, imam, or other authorized person — must sign the license during or when ready after the ceremony. Pennsylvania recognizes religious and civil officiants, and some counties allow notaries public to solemnize marriages; check with your county clerk if you are unsure whether your chosen officiant is authorized. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the county clerk within 10 days. If the clerk does not receive it within that time, your marriage will not be recorded in the county's records, which can cause problems later when you need proof of marriage for Social Security, insurance, or other purposes.
If Your Officiant Does Not Return the License
If your officiant fails to return the signed license to the county within 10 days, contact the county clerk when ready. The clerk can follow up with the officiant or, in some cases, help you file an affidavit of marriage if the officiant cannot be located. This process takes longer and may require a fee, so it is best to confirm with your officiant before the ceremony that they understand they must return the license promptly.
Once the county records your marriage, you can request certified copies of the marriage certificate from the county clerk. These are different from the license itself — the certificate is the official record of the marriage, issued after the license has been signed and returned. Keep several certified copies on hand; you will need them for name changes, updating Social Security, your driver's license, insurance, and employer records.
Name Changes and What Comes After
Pennsylvania does not require you to change your name when you marry. If you choose to change your name, you can use your marriage certificate as proof of the name change for Social Security, your driver's license, passport, bank accounts, and employer records. You do not need a court order in Pennsylvania to change your name through marriage — the certificate itself is sufficient.
After the marriage is recorded, you will want to update your name with the Social Security Administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (for your driver's license), your employer, your bank, and your insurance companies. Bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate to each place. The process usually takes a few weeks per organization. Start with Social Security first, since your Social Security card is often accepted as proof of name change by other agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we get married the same day we get the license?
Yes. Pennsylvania has no waiting period, so you can obtain the license and have the ceremony on the same day if your officiant and venue are available. The license is valid when ready upon issuance.
What if one of us was married before and we do not have the divorce decree?
Contact the county clerk's office in the county where your previous divorce was finalized and request a certified copy of the divorce decree. This usually takes a few days to a week. If you cannot locate the decree, ask the clerk at your current county what alternatives they accept — some will allow an affidavit or other proof of divorce.
Do we have to marry in Pennsylvania if we get the license there?
No. You can obtain a Pennsylvania license and marry in another state, as long as that state recognizes the Pennsylvania license. However, it is simpler to obtain the license in the state where you plan to marry. Check the marriage laws of the state where your ceremony will take place before you explore.
What if we are not sure whether our officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in Pennsylvania?
Call the county clerk's office and describe your officiant — their title, religious affiliation if any, and whether they have performed marriages before. The clerk can tell you whether that person is authorized. If not, you will need to find a different officiant or have your current officiant become authorized through your county.
How do we get a certified copy of the marriage certificate after we marry?
After the signed license is returned to the county and recorded, contact the county clerk's office and request a certified copy of the marriage certificate. There is usually a fee of $5 to $15 per copy. You can request copies by mail, phone, or in person. Keep several copies on hand for name changes, insurance, and other purposes.