Copy of Marriage License Pennsylvania

Getting a Copy of a Marriage License in Pennsylvania

If you need to obtain a copy of a marriage license in PA for your own records or for historical or geneological research, you may not know where to begin looking. Unlike many states, Pennsylvania does not have a statewide agency that maintains copies of marriage records, so getting a copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania can require some sleuthing. This guide will help you to find a copy of a marriage license in PA no matter what county your original marriage license was obtained in.

Who Can Get a Copy?

While it may seem like the only people who should be able to obtain a copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania are the couple or their relatives, the truth is that marriage licenses are considered public information. Anyone who requests a copy of a marriage license in PA may obtain one, for whatever purposes they wish, as long as they pay the proper administrative fees.

Couples may wish to have an additional copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania in order to have legal documentation of their marriage. In other cases, someone may want to ask for a copy of a marriage license in PA to verify the facts of a marriage for investigative or research purposes. You will not be asked for your reason when you make a request for a copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania. However, you will be required to have the names of both parties and the date that the marriage occurred.

Where Can I Get a Copy?

Because the state does not require the Department of Vital Records to maintain copies of marriage licenses, your only option for getting a copy of a marriage license in PA is to go through the county courthouse where the license was originally obtained. Every county courthouse in the state maintains its own copies of records.

Ordering a Copy of a Marriage License in Pennsylvania Online

Some counties allow people to order a marriage license copy through the internet. This is substantially easier than making a mail request, and may represent the best option by far for people who are no longer located in the county where they need to request the license. While Philadelphia does not allow people to order a copy of a marriage license online.

Commemorative Certificates

If you want a copy of a marriage license in PA so that you can have a memento of your marriage, many counties offer commemorative certificates that can be displayed by spouses. These commemorative certificates serve the same purpose as a copy of a marriage license in Pennsylvania, but have a more attractive look than the typical computer printout of a license. You can request information about commemorative certificates from your local county clerk.