Find Free Pennsylvania Marriage Records: Resource

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Free Pennsylvania Marriage Record Search

Access anyone's marital information in Pennsylvania, free of charge.

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Look up Pennsylvania marriage records for free today using the streamlined guidance and linked databases below.

These records are available per the state’s open access laws, allowing citizens to obtain marital information for personal or official use. The state’s 67 counties serve as the record custodians for marriage licenses, and individuals can connect with local agencies to search for and obtain necessary information. Citizens can also check county databases at no cost to find out if someone is married in Pennsylvania.

Use this resource’s guidance and helpful links to search marriage records in Pennsylvania and secure important information about unions in the state.

Accessing Marriage Records in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law gives citizens access to a wealth of public records, including marriage licenses.¹ This law – which became official in 2008 – makes finding vital records, including information on marriages, convenient for citizens. Individuals may choose to access marriage records for many reasons.

Newly married couples often want a certified copy of their license to have on hand as proof of their marriage. A certified marriage license may be requested when couples are opening a bank account, getting a passport, applying for insurance, or filing for adoption. In other instances, citizens want to conduct a marriage background check to learn if their partner has been wed before.

Finally, a marriage record check can also help people build their family tree, assisting in any genealogical search.

Pennsylvania began recording marriage in September 1885, so individuals can tap into historical archives as well as more recent records to learn more about unions in the state.

While local agencies are the primary records custodian in Pennsylvania, some citizens may choose to access marriage licenses through a third-party provider. However, it’s important to note that any records obtained from such providers aren’t considered official unless the organization is endorsed by the state or county.

Citizens can also learn more about Pennsylvania unions by checking out U.S. Census Bureau data. The annual American Community Survey includes details about the marital status of Pennsylvania residents. The 2022 survey reported that 49.5% of men ages 15 and older and 46% of women are married, while 37.2% of men and 31.6% of women have never been married.²

Additionally, about 8% of men and 10% of women in Pennsylvania have been through a divorce. Interestingly, 9.7% of women have been widowed, compared to just 3% of men. This data gives insight into overall marriage trends in the state, which can supplement a records search.

How To View Marital Information on Anyone in PA: Searching Free Pennsylvania Marriage Records

In many states, the Vital Records office collects information on all marriages in the state. However, marriage records in Pennsylvania are maintained at the county level, according to the State Library.³ That means that there is no state-level resource for obtaining marriage records.

While the Pennsylvania Vital Records Office issues birth and death certificates, it does not manage marriage licenses.

Citizens looking for marriage records should begin their search at the local level. Typically, local orphans’ court clerk offices serve as the primary records custodian for marriage licenses. A complete list of these court clerk offices is available, making it streamlined to find the right contact for any county.⁴

More information on finding these marital records at the county level follows.

Additionally, citizens can access the state marriage index to research historical unions from centuries ago. This information is helpful in genealogical research, and additional details on accessing these archives are included later in this article.

Viewing County & Municipal Marriage Records in Pennsylvania

Citizens should begin their search for marriage records at the county level. Here are details on requesting records in Pennsylvania’s three largest counties.

Philadelphia County: The city and county of Philadelphia share some joint services. The city’s Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans’ Court represent a joint office that serves as the custodian of marriage records. Citizens can request matrimony records for Philadelphia County online, by mail, or in person.

The marriage license search provides information on unions from 1995 to present.⁵ Citizens need to enter either the husband or wife’s name, and including the date can narrow the search results. Results will confirm whether the individual was married in Philadelphia County and list the license number, which can be used to make a records request.

Note that this online search is purely informational to confirm a union, and records must be obtained by mail or in person.

To secure a license by mail, complete the Marriage Record Request Form, providing the party’s names and the type of certificate needed.⁶ A certified copy costs $25 and works well for any domestic purposes. An exemplified copy, useful for foreign transactions, costs $50.

Individuals must also pay a $15 search fee. They can mail the form, a check or money order made payable to the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the address below. Mailed requests typically take 7 to 10 days to process.

Individuals may also visit the Marriage Record Department at City Hall to submit their request. They can simply provide the names listed on the marriage license to secure the record. The above fees apply for in-person requests as well.

The Marriage Record Department is open Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Philadelphia County Clerk of the Orphans’ Court
Marriage Record Department
City Hall, Room 415
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Phone: (215) 686-2234
Email: marriagerecords@phila.gov

Allegheny County: Pittsburgh’s Allegheny County offers several ways that citizens can search marriage records. The county court holds marriage licenses for unions from 1885 to present. Citizens can search for and request Allegheny County marital records online or visit the court in person.

The most convenient way to obtain needed information is through their online marriage license lookup tool.⁷ Enter the bride or groom name and a date range for the union. When the search results appear, click “Get Copy” for the union.

Enter shipping information and choose the type of record required, which include these options:

• Triple seal record – This is a certified copy of the marriage license that can be used for various transactions and legal matters. Couples named on the license will want the certified copy. This record costs $10.
• Plain copy – This non-certified copy is purely information and can satisfy an individual’s curiosity or assist with a genealogy search. This record costs $4.
• Apostille – This certified copy of the marriage record can be used for legal matters outside the United States, such as foreign adoptions. This record costs $10.

Citizens can also visit the Marriage Records Department for an in-person request. No form is required—individuals can simply provide information about the union and the type of record they’re seeking. They can pay the fees at the time of the request.

The department is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Allegheny County Marriage Records Department
City-County Building
414 Grant Street, 1st Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15129

Phone: (412) 350-4180

Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s Clerk of the Orphans’ Court oversees the distribution of marriage records. Individuals can request these records by mail or in person at the office in Norristown. Citizens can complete the Marriage Record Order Form, providing the name of both parties, wedding date, and shipping information.⁸

Individuals should mail the completed form, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to the Clerk of Orphans’ Court to the below address. Copies are $17 each.

Individuals can also make an in-person request at the Clerk of Orphans’ Court. They will need to provide the names of both people on the marriage license and pay the $17 fee at the time of the request. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Montgomery County Clerk of Orphans’ Court
1 Montgomery Plaza
425 Swede Street, 4th Floor
Norristown, PA 19401

Phone: (610) 278-3400
Email: MLSupport@montcopa.org

Mailing Address:

Montgomery County Register of Wills
P.O. Box 311
Norristown, PA 19404-0311

As noted previously, state marriage records are maintained at the county level. So, individuals searching for a record through a city will be directed to the county office, usually the Orphans’ Court Clerks. More information on how to search historical archives follows, helping individuals complete their family tree.

Searching Archived Family Marriage Records in PA (Free)

Some marriage record searches require accessing historical archives to learn more about unions of the past. There’s good news for aspiring genealogists: State’s marriage records date back to the 1880s. So, citizens searching for more information on marriages from centuries ago may find the State Archives to be a helpful resource.

First, citizens can peruse the State Archives database to see what marriage records are on file. Digitized microfilm county records are available, so individuals can confirm whether a relevant index will aid their search. The State Archives also holds marriage records from specific counties, including Philadelphia County, from the 1700s and 1800s.

Exploring digital collections can help citizens determine if the information they’re seeking is available.

State Archives staff can research a name and provide any relevant records via mail. This reference-by-mail service costs $15 per name for Pennsylvania residents and $25 for out-of-state residents. Citizens should complete the Mail Reference Order Form to initiate a search.⁹

They’ll be provided with up to 10 copies of any relevant records associated with the individual named. Since the State Archives does not have all Pennsylvania marriages on file, individuals should confirm that they have microfilm county records for the union in question before making a request.

Citizens can mail their order form, along with a check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to the below address.

Individuals can also visit the State Archives in Harrisburg, but they’ll need to complete a Researcher Registration Form before they do.¹⁰ This form provides details about the records that are being sought, which allows Archives staff to provide some assistance. Visitors are welcome Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

While visitors do not have to schedule an appointment for the Research Room, select audio/visual materials and some restricted items do require an appointment to view. So, it’s smart to contact the State Archives before a visit to confirm whether an appointment is needed.

Pennsylvania State Archives
1681 N. 6th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102-1106

Phone: (717) 783-3281

While the State Archives can be a helpful resource in a marriage records search, citizens can find other resources to aid their research. For those just starting out on a genealogical search, check out this National Archives guide on starting research.¹¹ Then, consider accessing other resources to learn about historical marriages in Pennsylvania, including the following:

• Church registers that recorded marriages that took place at the institution
• Local newspaper archives with marriage announcements
• Local library archives
• Historical society archives

Are Common Law Marriages Recognized in Pennsylvania?

Common law marriage used to be legal in Pennsylvania. However, Section 1103 of Pennsylvania Statues outlawed common law marriage effective January 1, 2005.¹² This ruling means any common law union that began on or after January 1, 2005 is not considered valid.

However, couples who were in a common law marriage before January 1, 2005 remain in a valid union recognized by the state.

How To Check Common Law Marriage Records in Pennsylvania

Since common law marriages are no longer legal in Pennsylvania, there is no way to access records for current unions. Even for couples who were common law married prior to January 1, 2005, the state did not record such unions.

Instead, proving a common law marriage required showing that the couple lived together and lived their life like a married couple. Because of the lack of common law marriage licenses in Pennsylvania, record seekers will be unable to find such records for these unions in the state.

Other types of unions exist in some Pennsylvania cities. While domestic partnerships are not recognized statewide, the city of Philadelphia allows couples to register a life partnership.¹³ These unions are designed for same-sex couples who are at least 18 years old.

Couples can submit a verification statement and show two forms of evidence of their union, such as a joint bank statement or shared ownership of a home or vehicle.¹⁴ Filing for this partnership costs $10. Citizens who want confirmation of a life partnership can contact the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.¹⁵

Philadelphia Commission of Human Relations
601 Walnut St., Suite 300 South
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Phone: (215) 686-4670

How To Submit a Marriage License Application in Pennsylvania

Couples saying “I do” in Pennsylvania will apply for a marriage license at the county level. Guidelines vary by county, but here’s a general overview of how to secure a marriage license in Pennsylvania. The state issues two types of marriage licenses.

A self-uniting license doesn’t require an officiant to complete the union. A traditional marriage license uses an officiant to make the union official.

For either type of license, couples can expect to complete a marriage application and provide a photo ID and their Social Security numbers. While some counties allow couples to initiate their application online, they will have to appear at the county office to officially apply for the license. Pennsylvania has a three-day waiting period after a marriage license is issued, meaning couples will receive their license 3 days after their application is processed.

After the couple’s nuptials, the officiant needs to complete and sign the marriage license and return it to the county office within 10 days of the ceremony. Couples can then request a certified copy of their marriage license for their records.

Fees for marriage licenses vary by county, but couples can typically expect to pay $50 to $100.

This brief resource provides helpful guidance on how to obtain Pennsylvania marriage records for personal or official use; you can also track down free Pennsylvania public information to retrieve additional record types on residents of this state — from birth and death documents to warrants and criminal history reports and beyond.