A marriage license is the paper that lets a couple wed in Pennsylvania. In Lancaster County the Register of Wills issues the license, keeps the application, and holds the completed certificate after the ceremony. Couples often ask about the fee, the waiting period, and the copy they need for a name change. This page walks through each step and points to the office that answers it.
Key Details and Official Source
- Office: Lancaster County Courthouse
- Official website: https://co.lancaster.pa.us/159/Register-of-Wills
- Before you file: confirm the current hours, fees, and identification requirements with the office.
| What you have | Where to look | What the entry shows |
|---|---|---|
| Both names and a year | Name index at the Register of Wills | Application date, license number, and file reference |
| A wedding date | Date index at the courthouse | Names of both applicants and the officiant |
| An old certificate | Copy request desk | Record number for a certified reprint |
| Only a surname | Clerk-assisted range search | Possible matches you confirm in person |
The index is a finding aid, not the license itself. A name can be misspelled in the old ledger, and a bride may appear under a former surname. Write down the file number, the book and page, and the date you searched. If the entry looks wrong, ask the clerk to check the image before you order. A second look is free; a wrong copy is not.
Lancaster County PA Marriage License Requirements
Both applicants appear at the courthouse for the application, and each signs the form in front of the clerk. The office asks for proof of identity, age, and marital status. A prior marriage must be closed by a decree or a death certificate. Bring the papers in their original form plus a copy. Call the marriage department first, since hours differ from the main office hours.
Age Requirements
An applicant who is 18 or older may apply without a parent. A younger applicant needs written consent from a parent or a guardian, and the office supplies the form. Some cases need a judge's approval. The clerk checks the birth date against the ID, so bring a document that shows it. Ask which rule fits your case before you book a time. Bring the signed consent paper.
Identification Requirements
The office wants a current photo ID, such as a driver's license or a passport. A birth certificate may be requested to confirm age and place of birth. Names must match across every document; a misspelling needs a correction first. A Social Security card is usually not enough on its own. Ask the clerk for the exact list, then bring originals and photocopies. Keep the copies in one folder.
Application Information
Plan about half an hour for the appointment. Both people answer the same questions, and the clerk types the answers into the record. Read the form before you sign, since a wrong birth date or a shortened name causes trouble later. The license is issued at the end of the visit in most cases. Ask when to return if the office needs more review. Bring the fee with you.
Previous Marriage Information
A divorced applicant shows the final decree with the judge's signature and the docket number. A widow or widower shows a death certificate. The office may keep a copy for the file. A pending divorce blocks the application until the decree is entered. Ask the clerk whether a sealed decree is accepted, and bring the certified version rather than a photocopy. Call ahead if the paper is old.
Eligibility Requirements
Each applicant must be free to marry. A person who is still married cannot apply until a court ends that marriage. The couple cannot be closer kin than the state allows, and the clerk can state the limit. Both people must appear in person, and neither may send a stand-in. Ask the office about any special situation before the appointment. Bring every paper the clerk lists.
Marriage License Fees and Validity
The county sets the fee, and the amount can change between budget years. The office quotes the current figure when you call, so ask for the total that includes any copy you want. A license is good for a set window, and a delay can force a second application and a second payment. Check the dates printed on the paper. Keep the receipt in the folder.
License Fee
The Register of Wills collects the fee at the counter when the application is filed. The charge covers the license, and a certified copy may cost extra. Ask whether the fee changes for a couple who lives outside Pennsylvania, and state your address. Keep the receipt with the license. Ask the clerk to write the amount on your folder. Pay at the window. Do not mail cash.
Accepted Payment Methods
Counters often take cash, a money order, or a card, but the county decides which methods it accepts on a given day. A personal check may be refused for a wedding paper. Ask before you stand in line, and bring a backup method. A card fee may be added to the total. Get a receipt that shows the date and the amount. Ask for a printed receipt.
Fee Waivers and Discounts
Few reductions apply to a marriage license, and the office decides each request. A member of the armed forces, a person with a low income, or a couple in a special program may ask about a lower charge. Bring proof. The clerk cannot promise a waiver before seeing the paper. Put the request in writing if the answer is no. The clerk will name the papers to bring.
Waiting Period
Pennsylvania puts a short gap between the application and the ceremony. The clerk writes the first valid date on the license, and an officiant should not sign before it. A judge may waive the wait in a rare case. Plan the wedding after the printed date, and tell the officiant if the date changes. Confirm the rule when you apply. Write the date on the application folder.
License Expiration
The license expires if the wedding does not happen in time. A couple who waits too long files a new application and pays a new fee. Read the end date the day you receive the paper and put it on the calendar. An officiant may ask to see the license before the ceremony. Ask the clerk what to do if the date slips. Set a reminder two weeks ahead.
Using and Recording the Marriage License
A license is not a certificate. The license is the permission to wed, and the certificate is the proof that the wedding happened, and the marriage records page covers certified copies and the marriage date. The officiant completes the license at the ceremony, and someone returns it to the courthouse. The Register of Wills then records the marriage and can issue a certified copy. Keep both papers in a safe place. A copy of each paper belongs in your file.
Authorized Officiant
A minister, a priest, a rabbi, or a civil celebrant may perform the wedding if the person is registered with the state. A friend may not sign as the officiant without that standing. Ask for the officiant's title and the county where the registration is filed. The clerk can confirm whether a name is accepted. Settle this before the rehearsal. Write the registration number down.
Marriage Ceremony
The ceremony can be civil or religious, and it can be held in a church, a home, or another private place. The officiant leads the vows and then fills in the license. Two witnesses may be asked to sign, depending on the officiant. Keep the ceremony date and the names of the witnesses with the license. Photograph the signed paper before it leaves your hands.
Completing the License
The officiant writes the wedding date, the place, and the officiant's own details on the license. Every line must be legible, and a correction should be initialed rather than scribbled over. A blank line can delay the record. Check the names against the application before the paper is signed. Ask the officiant to use the same spelling as the application. Check the date and the year twice.
Returning the License
Someone must return the signed license to the Register of Wills within the time printed on the form. The officiant often mails it, and the couple should not assume that step was done. Ask who is responsible and get a date. A late return delays the certificate. Call the office a week later to confirm the file is complete. Ask for a stamped receipt when you hand it over.
Recording the Marriage
The clerk reviews the returned license and enters the marriage in the county record. The entry gets a record number, and that number is the key to every later copy. A certificate ordered before the entry is posted may be refused. Ask the clerk when the record will be ready and how to quote the number. Write the number on the license envelope. Ask for the record number in writing.
Marriage Certificate After the Ceremony
A certified marriage certificate is the document a bank, an insurer, or a passport office will accept. It carries a raised seal or a stamp and a signature. A photocopy of the license is not a substitute. Order the copy from the county that recorded the marriage, and give the exact names and the wedding date. Check the spelling before you leave the counter. Ask for two copies.
Certified Marriage Certificate
A certified copy proves the marriage for official use. It shows the names, the date, the place, and the officiant, and it carries the recorder's seal. Some agencies want a copy issued within the past year, so ask before you order. Keep the certified copy flat and away from heat. A folded or faded copy may be rejected at a counter. Ask for a seal check at the counter.
Informational Copy
An informational copy is not valid for legal use. It may be plain paper with a stamp that says so. Some offices issue it for family history or for a file, and the charge is lower. Do not send an informational copy to a passport office or an insurer. Ask the clerk which type you are buying before you pay. Ask for the plain paper price.
Certificate Request Methods
A request can be made at the counter, by mail, or through the county's online order page when one is offered. Mail needs a filled form, a copy of your photo ID, the exact names, and a payment. A counter visit is fastest when the record is on site. Ask for the current form and the mailing address before you send anything. Keep a copy of the form.
Certificate Fees
The fee for a certified copy is set by the county and can change. Ask for the price of the first copy and of each extra copy, since a passport or a loan file may need more than one. A mail order may add a handling charge. Pay by a method the office lists. Keep the receipt with the certificate. Ask for the total before you mail.
Certificate Processing
Counter requests are often printed at the counter when the record is complete. A mail order can take a week or more, and the office may be slower near a holiday. Ask for a turnaround estimate and a confirmation number. Track the request with that number. If nothing arrives, call the office before you mail a second request and a second payment. Write the date on the envelope.
Marriage License Corrections
An error on a license or a certificate can be fixed, but the route depends on who made the mistake. A slip by the applicant needs a sworn statement and proof. A clerk's typing error is corrected by the office. Never alter the paper yourself. Ask for the correction form, describe the wrong entry, and attach the document that shows the right value. Start at the office that issued the paper.
Correcting Applicant Information
A wrong birth date, a misspelled name, or a swapped parent name on the application can carry into the record. Bring the ID or the birth certificate that shows the correct entry. The office may require both applicants to sign a statement. A name change after the wedding follows a different path. Ask which form fits before you mail anything. Bring the old paper with you.
Correcting Clerical Errors
When the office typed a name wrong or wrote the wrong date, the clerk files a correction and notes the change in the record. You do not need a lawyer for a simple fix. Ask for a corrected certificate after the entry is amended. Keep the old copy if the office lets you. A stamped correction may be needed for a bank or a passport office.
Supporting Documentation
Bring the paper that proves the fact: a birth certificate for a date, a decree for a prior marriage, or a court order for a name change. A photocopy may be accepted for review, but the clerk will want the original at the counter, while the court records guide explains how to request a copy of the docket. Ask whether the document must be certified. Write your contact number on the form so the office can call. Keep a copy for your file.
Amended License or Record
An amended record shows the corrected fact and may carry a note about the change. The office decides whether to issue a new license or to annotate the old entry. A new certificate is ordered after the amendment posts. Ask how long the update takes and whether a fee applies. Get the amended record number in writing. Ask whether the old certificate stays valid for use.
Marriage License Search Problems
Most failed searches come from a small mismatch. A nickname, a middle initial, or a maiden name can hide a record. A date typed as the application date may not match a search for the wedding date. Write down what you tried, then widen the range one year at a time. Ask the clerk for help before you pay for another search. A written log helps the clerk help you.
License Not Found
A missing entry does not always mean the wedding was never recorded. The license may be filed under a different spelling, or the return may still be on a desk. Ask for a search by date and by the officiant's name. Check the county where the ceremony took place, since a license is issued there. Give the clerk every name the couple has used. Leave a phone number.
Incorrect Applicant Information
A transposed letter or a wrong middle name can send a search to the wrong file. Compare the application with the ID, then with the certificate. Ask the clerk to search the surname by sound and by spelling. Write the corrected name on the request. If the record itself is wrong, ask for the correction process. Ask for a written search result. Keep the note.
Incorrect License Number
A license number can be misread from a handwritten index. Check each digit against the image, and do not drop a leading zero. Ask whether the office uses a file number and a license number for the same paper. Give both when you call. A search by name and date can confirm the right number before you order. Read the number slowly on the phone.
Marriage Not Yet Recorded
A recent wedding may take days or weeks to appear in the index. The officiant returns the license, the clerk reviews it, and the entry is posted after that. Ask when the return is expected. A certificate ordered too early may be held or refused. Keep the ceremony date and the officiant's name handy for the follow-up call. Note the clerk's name and the date.
Record Held by Another County
A license belongs to the county where the couple applied, which is usually where the wedding took place. A couple who married in another county must write to that office. A license issued in Lancaster County but used elsewhere still returns here. Check the ceremony address on the certificate. Ask the other county for its form and fee. Ask for the mailing address and the form.
Location and Contact Information
Marriage records, license applications, and probate files sit with the Register of Wills in the Lancaster County Courthouse on North Duke Street. The marriage department keeps shorter counter hours than the main office, so call before a trip. Bring photo ID and any prior decree. Spaces near the courthouse fill on days with hearings. Use the county website to confirm the current form and fee. Ask for the marriage desk.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Register of Wills, marriage department | Lancaster County Courthouse, 50 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 | (717) 295-5994 | Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; marriage department 9:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m. | https://co.lancaster.pa.us/159/Register-of-Wills |
The phone line reaches the Register of Wills, and the clerk can transfer a caller to the marriage desk. State the wedding date and both names at the start of the call. Ask which documents to bring and whether an appointment is needed. A courthouse visit can take an hour with security screening, so allow extra time. Confirm the fee on the day you apply.
Lancaster County PA Marriage License FAQs
These questions cover the details couples ask about most. Each answer names the office, the paper, or the step that settles the point. Rules and fees can change, so treat each answer as a starting point and confirm the current practice with the Register of Wills. A short call before the appointment often prevents a second trip to the courthouse. Write the answers in a notebook.
How Do I Search Lancaster County PA Marriage Licenses?
Begin with the Register of Wills in the county where the ceremony took place. Give both full names, the wedding date, and any earlier surname. The clerk can search the name index or the date index and read the entry to you. Ask for the file number and the book and page. Then request a certified copy if you need one. A phone call can save a trip.
What Are the Requirements for a Lancaster County PA Marriage License?
Both applicants appear in person with photo ID and proof of age. The office asks about any prior marriage and wants the decree or the death certificate that closed it. A younger applicant needs consent from a parent or a guardian. The couple must be free to marry and not barred by kinship rules. Confirm the exact document list with the clerk first. Call the marriage desk before you book a time.
How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?
The county sets the fee, and the amount is not printed on this page since it can change. Call the marriage department and ask for the total, including a certified copy if you want one. Ask whether the price differs for a couple who lives outside Pennsylvania. Pay by a method the office accepts and keep the receipt with your papers. A single payment covers the license at the counter.
How Long Is a Marriage License Valid?
The license carries a first valid date and an end date. The waiting period must pass before the officiant signs, and the wedding must happen before the end date. A ceremony that is delayed past the end date needs a new application and a new fee. Ask the clerk to read both dates to you. Put them on the wedding calendar. A new application starts the clock again.
How Do I Get a Marriage Certificate?
Order a certified copy from the Register of Wills after the marriage is recorded. Bring the names, the wedding date, and the file number if you have it. The office can print a copy at the counter or take a mail request with a form, photo ID, and payment. Ask for the certified version, not an informational copy. Check the spelling before you leave. Ask for a raised seal on the paper.
How Can I Correct a Marriage License Error?
Ask the office which kind of error you have. A clerk's typing mistake is fixed by the office, and the record is amended. A wrong fact supplied by an applicant needs a sworn statement and a document that proves the right value. Bring the original ID or certificate. The office issues a corrected copy after the change posts. Keep the old certificate until the new one arrives, and ask for a receipt.
