Pennsylvania Marriage Certificate Search

The Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans' Court in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties is the primary custodian of Pennsylvania marriage certificates. Pennsylvania marriage records are typically kept on file at the county level or at the state vital records office. Individuals can obtain copies of their marriage certificates by contacting the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans' Court office, where the marriage license was obtained.

According to Rule 1301(a) of Pennsylvania Statutes, Title 23, no person shall be joined in marriage in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania until a marriage license has been obtained. The marriage license then serves as a permit for a marriage ceremony to be conducted in Pennsylvania. After the ceremony, the marriage license is returned to the Clerk of the Orphans' Court Division/Register of Wills of the county where the marriage license was obtained, where it is recorded, and the marriage certificate is issued, as outlined in Rule 1502(b) of Pennsylvania statutes.

Marriage certificates serve several important purposes:

Legal recognition: Marriage certificates provide legal recognition of the marriage. They demonstrate that the couple has entered into a legally binding agreement to share their lives together as a couple.
Benefits: Marriage certificates are often required to obtain various legal benefits, such as spousal health insurance coverage, inheritance rights, and the ability to make medical decisions for one's partner.
Proof of identity: Marriage certificates could also be used as proof of identity in a handful of situations, such as when changing one's last name or applying for a passport.
Divorce proceedings: In the event of a divorce, a marriage certificate is often required to dissolve the marriage formally.

Overall, marriage certificates are important in legal and social situations because they provide proof of marriage, legal recognition, and access to benefits and rights only available to married couples.

Are Marriage Certificates Public in Pennsylvania?

According to Pennsylvania State Law, records of filing marriage certificates are public records. However, certified marriage certificates are not available to the general public. To obtain a certified marriage certificate or any Pennsylvania vital record, the requester will need to be named on the record, authorized by court order, or satisfy the state's eligibility requirements.

What is a Marriage Certificate in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a marriage certificate is a legal document that proves that two individuals have been legally married. It is issued by the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans' Court and contains information about the marriage, including the names of the spouses, the date and location of the marriage, and the name and title of the official who performed the marriage ceremony. The marriage certificate is typically mailed to the couple within a few weeks of the wedding.

What Do Marriage Certificates Contain in Pennsylvania?

Depending on the county in Pennsylvania, the information on a marriage certificate may be a little different, but in general, a marriage certificate has the following:

The couple's names: The full names of both individuals who have been joined in marriage are captured in the certificate. This information is important to establish the parties' identities in the marriage.
Date of marriage: The date the marriage happened is included in the certificate. It is necessary for legal and administrative reasons, such as filing taxes and accessing benefits.
Location of the marriage: The place where a marriage took place is recorded on the marriage certificate. This also helps establish the jurisdiction under which the marriage took place.
Officiant's signature: The signature of the person who officiated the marriage is also captured in the document. This is done as proof that the marriage was performed by somebody legally authorized, as outlined in the Marital Provisions of Pennsylvania.
Signatures of witnesses: These are the signatures of people who were at the wedding and can prove that it happened and that it was seen by people who can back up its validity.

All of this information must be on a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania to show that a legal marriage has happened and to give enough information about the marriage for legal and administrative reasons.

Where Do I Get a Certified Copy of My Marriage Certificate in Pennsylvania?

Individuals who require a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania must visit the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans' Court office where the certificate was issued. In many cases, the office is in the county where the couple resides at the time of the marriage.

Each county maintains its registry of marriage certificates, as there is no centralized state-based solution for obtaining certified marriage certificates in Pennsylvania. Therefore, the process and fees may vary significantly depending on the county. Alternatively, third-party services can be used to easily and quickly obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate for any county in Pennsylvania.

How Do I Get a Certified Copy of My Marriage Certificate in Pennsylvania?

A marriage certificate in Pennsylvania can be obtained in the following steps:

Contact the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans' Court office in the county where the marriage license was obtained. A list of county Register of Wills offices and Orphans' Court Clerks' addresses can be found on the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania website.
Request a copy of the marriage certificate by providing the names of the couple, the date of the marriage, and the location of the marriage.
Pay the required fee for the certificate. The fee varies by county, so it's best to check with the Register of Wills office for the exact cost.
Provide a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
Get the certified copy in person, by mail, or whatever the county allows.

Some counties in Pennsylvania may have different procedures or requirements for obtaining certified copies of marriage certificates. Hence, inquirers can check with the Register of Wills office in the county where the marriage license was obtained for specific instructions.

Can I Find My Marriage Certificate Online in Pennsylvania?

Yes, one can get a copy of their marriage certificate online. However, this is possible through any vital records online resources managed by the jurisdiction or through third-party online marriage certificate services. This is because the commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not provide a state-based online marriage certificate search service.

The process for obtaining marriage certificates online on a third-party website can vary depending on the website used. Generally, the requestor will need to:

Visit the website: A website such as that of vital records online.
Find the state and county: Select the state and county where the marriage happened.
Fill out the application: Fill out the application form with the required information, including the parties' names, the date of the marriage, and the location of the marriage.
Provide identification: Provide a copy of a means of identification.
Pay the fee: Pay the fee for the certificate. The fee can vary depending on the state and county.
Submit the application: Apply by clicking the submit button. When submitted, the application will be reviewed for accuracy.
Receive the certificate: Once the application is processed and approved, the marriage certificate is sent via mail or email.

Ultimately, the process may differ depending on the county from which one is requesting the marriage certificate. Also, some websites may require additional information or documentation.

How to Get a New Marriage Certificate in Pennsylvania

Persons who want to get a new marriage certificate in Pennsylvania can do so by following the steps below:

Determine eligibility: Only the bride, groom, or an authorized person (such as an attorney) can request a copy of a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania.
Provide necessary information: Information such as the full names of the bride and groom, the date of the marriage, and the county where the marriage license was issued.
Get the application form: Obtain an application form for a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania by visiting the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans' Court office in the county where the marriage license was issued.
Complete the application: Fill out the application with the required information, and sign it.
Provide identification: Identification such as a driver's license, state-issued non-driver photo-ID card, passport, or U.S. Military-issued photo ID must be provided by the requesting party.
Pay necessary fees: There is a fee for obtaining a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania. One can pay the fee with cash, check, or money order. When paying with a check or money order made to the custodian, a plain copy of a Marriage Record costs $2.00, while a certified copy costs $25.00, and an exemplified copy costs $30.00.
Submit application: Submit the completed application and payment in person at the Register of Wills Office in the county where the marriage license was issued, or mail the application to the same office.
Wait for processing: Processing time for a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania can vary, but it typically takes weeks.
Receive the certificate: Once the application has been processed, a new marriage certificate will be issued and delivered in the mail.

How Do I Verify a Marriage Certificate in Pennsylvania?

Individuals interested in verifying a marriage certificate in Pennsylvania can visit the Courthouse Clerk/Register of Wills of the judicial district where the marriage was held or where the subject of the inquiry resides.

These offices serve as the primary official repositories for marriage records for people within their jurisdiction. In conjunction with the local vital records office and county clerk's office, these departments can process a marriage license application and issue or verify marriage certificates. Therefore, inquirers can confirm the veracity of a marriage certificate by looking up marriage records held by courthouse clerks or third-party repositories online.

However, some information may be considered confidential, particularly if the marriage was annulled or if details of the union were designated confidential according to a court order.