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A.D. 2005 -
Pennsylvania
Marriage License Information
1. | The fee for a marriage license varies depending on County Courthouse ($15.00 to $90.00), payable by cash only, but some will accept credit cards and money order. Checks and are NOT accepted. |
2. | Both applicants must appear together in the County Courthouse to apply for the marriage license. NO BLOOD TESTS or WITNESSES ARE REQUIRED. |
3. | The marriage law forbids the Clerk to issue a marriage license or the Officiant from performing the ceremony if either applicant is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug at the time they make their application or during the ceremony. |
4. | The marriage license will issue on the third day following application
(some will give you same day of application and postdate 3 days later) and is valid for only sixty (60) days from the issue date that appears on the license. If the license is not used within the 60 day period, the marriage license must be returned and the application process must be repeated in its entirety and the fee re-paid.
In an emergency or where extraordinary circumstances exist, a Judge of the Orphans' Court Division, upon petition on a form supplied by the Clerk, may grant a waiver of the three-day waiting period. A military applicant on active duty upon short leave may obtain a waiver of the three-day waiting period upon petition made in person through the Orphans' Court Clerk to a Judge of the Orphans' Court Division. There is no fee for an active military waiver. |
5. | The marriage license can be used in any county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; however, a PA license cannot be used out-of-state. |
6.
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Applicants must produce the following identification: a CURRENT, VALID PHOTO I.D. in the form of either a driver’s license; non-driver’s license; international driver’s license; passport; military I.D.; resident alien card or consulate card AND a Social Security card or any other form of I.D. issued by an official entity which reflects the applicant’s Social Security number (i.e. Social Security printout; pay stub; W-2 form; income tax return; prescription card; access card etc.). If an applicant does NOT possess a Social Security number he/she must produce a Secondary I.D. in the form of a birth certificate (officially translated, if appropriate); or any other form of I.D. issued by an official entity, in addition to the above-noted current, valid photo I.D. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE TAKEN WITHOUT THESE DOCUMENTS. |
7. | If either applicant was previously married, proof of dissolution of the latest marriage must be submitted at the time of application. A divorced applicant must provide a original certified copy of the most recent divorce decree. A widowed applicant must submit a original certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse. If either of the foregoing documents is not written in English it must be translated to English and the translation must be certified to be correct. |
8. | If an applicant has had a legal name change the certified decree of the court ordering this change must be presented at the time of application. |
9. | If either of the applicants is a MINOR between the ages of sixteen and seventeen, the minor’s parent or legal guardian must appear at the time the application is made. If the minor is fifteen years of age or younger, the Court must authorize the issuance of the license. The parent/ guardian must prove his/her relationship to the minor by submitting current, valid photo I.D. If the parent/ guardian resides outside this jurisdiction, the office will supply the necessary consent form at an *additional fee of $10.00 per minor. |
10. | The Marriage License Bureau is open Monday through Friday. Please schedule your arrival no later than one-half hour before closing time to allow for processing. |
11. | If either applicant cannot speak or understand English, he/ she must be accompanied by a translator who possesses current, valid photo I.D. |
12. | If either of the applicants is weak-minded, insane, of unsound mind or under guardianship as a person of unsound mind, that applicant must submit a letter from the attending physician stating the extent of such condition and that it is in the best interest of the applicant and the general public that the license should be issued. A Judge of the Orphans' Court Division, upon petition, will decide whether a marriage license will be issued. |
13. | Blood relative down to and including first cousins MAY NOT marry under the laws of Pennsylvania. For other prohibitions, check with the Clerk of Orphans' Court or your attorney. |
14. | Misrepresentation of facts upon a marriage license application is a criminal offense subject to penalties set forth in the Crimes Code, 18 C.S. sections 4903 & 4904. |