How to get a Marriage License in PA (in 2023 and beyond)
Pennsylvania marriage license frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The great state of Pennsylvania is a wonderful place to get married. In fact, there were around 75,000 PA weddings in 2022.
We have answers to all of your questions.
How do you get a marriage license? How much do they cost? What documents do you need?
Plus we have links to each county’s page at the bottom of this article (this is where you will go to get your marriage license).
Here are some common questions that couples have about getting married in Pennsylvania (these were updated for the 2020-2021 wedding season):
1. How much money does a marriage license in PA cost?
A Pennsylvania marriage license costs between $45-$90 depending on which county you live in.
2. How long is my PA marriage license good for?
Your license is good for 60 days from the date it is issued.
3. Can I bring my partner’s documents in for them, or do we both need to be there?
Both marriage license applicants need to be present to apply.
4. What documents do I need to receive my Pennsylvania marriage license?
Both parties need a driver’s license or government-issued photo id. You will also need Social Security numbers for both parties.
5. How many days before my wedding should I apply for my marriage license in Pennsylvania?
PA law requires a mandatory 3-day waiting period before your marriage license can be issued, however, we recommend applying for your license 2-3 weeks prior to your wedding date.
6. Do I have to get my PA marriage license from the same county that I am getting married in?
No, once you have your Pennsylvania marriage license, you can get married in any of the 62 counties in PA. Please note, you may not use your PA marriage license to get married in a different state. Likewise, you are not allowed to get married in PA if your license was issued from a state other than Pennsylvania.
7. What if 1 or both people getting married do not speak English?
An independent translator must accompany the individual/individuals who do not speak English.
8. Do you have to be a Pennsylvania resident to get married in PA?
No, you do not need to be a resident of the state of Pennsylvania, however, you would still need to apply for your marriage license in PA.
9. Does Pennsylvania allow same-sex marriages?
Yes, the state of Pennsylvania has legally recognized same-sex marriages since May 20, 2014.
10. If one of us was previously married, what info do we need to provide?
If you are divorced, you would need to provide a certified divorce decree with the day, month, and year of the final decree. You would also need to provide the county and state that it was granted. Females need to provide documents from the Court of name change (if the last name is different from the decree).
11. What if we want a family member or friend to marry us? Is this allowed in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania is one of the few states that allows couples to marry without an officiant. This means you can marry yourselves, or have someone close to you do it.
The only requirements are that there are at least two witnesses and that you get a self-uniting marriage license (you need to inform the Clerk before you start the application process). They are recognized in all counties of PA.
12. Where can I find information on obtaining my PA marriage license?
Here are the links to each county’s requirements and fees for obtaining your marriage license in PA:
- Adams County
- Allegheny County
- Armstrong County
- Beaver County
- Bedford County
- Berks County
- Blair County
- Bradford County
- Bucks County
- Butler County
- Cambria County
- Cameron County
- Carbon County
- Centre County
- Chester County
- Clarion County
- Clearfield County
- Clinton County
- Columbia County
- Crawford County
- Cumberland County
- Dauphin County
- Delaware County
- Elk County
- Erie County
- Fayette County
- Forest County
- Franklin County
- Fulton County
- Greene County
- Huntingdon County
- Indiana County
- Jefferson County
- Juniata County
- Lackawanna County
- Lancaster County
- Lawrence County
- Lebanon County
- Lehigh County
- Luzerne County
- Lycoming County
- McKean County
- Mercer County
- Mifflin County
- Monroe County
- Montgomery County
- Montour County
- Northampton County
- Northumberland County
- Perry County
- Philadelphia County
- Pike County
- Potter County
- Schuylkill County
- Snyder County
- Somerset County
- Sullivan County
- Susquehanna County
- Tioga County
- Union County
- Venango County
- Warren County
- Washington County
- Wayne County
- Westmoreland County
- Wyoming County
- York County
More wedding planning tips for couples getting married in Pennsylvania
Check out our wedding planning timeline and checklist.
Are you going to be doing an engagement session? If so, take a look at our 11 best tips for engagement photos.
