To get legally married in Pennsylvania (PA), you mainly need to: get a PA marriage license, have a valid ceremony (with either an officiant or a self- uniting license), and return the signed license on time.

How to Get Married in PA (Quick Scoop)

1. Basic Legal Requirements in PA

Most counties in PA follow the same core rules.

  • You must both be at least 18 years old to get a standard marriage license.
  • You need valid government-issued ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, or similar).
  • If previously married, you must show proof of how that marriage ended (divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate).
  • Blood tests are not required anymore in Pennsylvania.
  • You cannot marry a close blood relative (up to and including first cousins).

Think of this as your “am I legally allowed to marry here?” checklist.

2. Step-by-Step: Marriage License in PA

This is the part where most people get overwhelmed, but it’s straightforward once broken into steps.

Step 1 – Decide When to Apply

  • PA licenses are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
  • There is usually a 3‑day waiting period between when you apply and when the license becomes valid.
  • Many counties advise not to apply until you’re within 60 days of the wedding date.

So: aim to apply about 1–6 weeks before the ceremony.

Step 2 – Choose a County

  • You can apply in any PA county and use the license anywhere in Pennsylvania.
  • The exact process (online forms, video appointments, in‑person visits) can vary slightly by county. Adams County, for example, allows online application and then a video appointment.
  • Cities like Philadelphia and many suburban counties post current details on their official websites.

Step 3 – Apply (Online + Appointment or In Person)

Typical requirements when you apply:

  • Both partners’ full legal names, addresses, dates and places of birth.
  • Valid photo ID for each of you (driver’s license, passport, military ID, etc.).
  • Social Security numbers if you have them (U.S. citizens are usually required to provide this).
  • Divorce decree, annulment papers, or death certificate if you’ve been married before.
  • Application fee (amount varies by county, often around 40–100 dollars; Monroe County lists 40 dollars).

Some counties let you start the application online, then require you to appear in person or via video to finalize it.

Step 4 – Wait for the License

  • Standard 3‑day waiting period after you appear to apply.
  • Once issued, your license is valid for 60 days and only within Pennsylvania.

If you truly need to marry sooner, some counties allow a court order to waive the waiting period for a small extra fee and a good reason.

3. Two Main Ways to Get Married in PA

Pennsylvania is a bit unique because it recognizes self‑uniting marriages as well as traditional ones.

Option A – Traditional Marriage License

  • You get a standard license and have a qualified officiant perform your ceremony.
  • Officiants can include judges, ministers, priests, rabbis, or others authorized under PA law.
  • After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the county (often within 10 days).

This is what most couples do, especially for more formal weddings.

Option B – Self‑Uniting Marriage License

  • PA allows couples to marry themselves with a self‑uniting license.
  • No legal officiant is required; you and your partner essentially act as your own officiant.
  • In place of an officiant, you need two witnesses to sign the license.
  • After the ceremony, you (not an officiant) return the signed license to the county within the required time (often 10 days).

A lot of eloping or non‑religious couples love this option because it can feel very personal and low‑key.

4. After the Ceremony: Making It Official

Once you’re married, there are a few final legal tasks so everything is recognized properly.

  • The license must be fully filled out and signed on the wedding day:
    • Traditional license: signed by the officiant (and sometimes witnesses, depending on the county).
* Self‑uniting license: signed by you both and two witnesses.
  • The license must be returned to the issuing county’s marriage office, usually within 10 days.
  • The county then records your marriage and you can request certified copies of the marriage record for name changes and legal purposes.

Example: If you’re getting married in Philadelphia, you appear at the Register of Wills, receive your license after the waiting period, have the ceremony, then the officiant or couple returns the license to the Marriage License Department.

5. County-Specific Notes (Philly & Beyond)

Rules are similar across the state, but here are some typical local patterns.

[9] [7] [3] [5]
Area How You Apply IDs & Documents Special Notes
PhiladelphiaIn person at Register of Wills; some info available online. Two forms of ID per person, including a photo ID; prior marriage documents. Allows both traditional and self‑uniting licenses; ceremony can be anywhere in PA.
Adams CountyOnline application + video appointment for many couples. Photo ID, Social Security number, certified prior marriage docs. Offers waiting-period waiver by court order for extra fee if justified.
Monroe CountyApply in person (timing: within 60 days of wedding). Government ID, prior marriage documents, 40-dollar fee. Emphasizes 3-day waiting period and 60‑day validity.
Montgomery CountyApplication info and details online; typically in-person appearance. Government photo ID, prior marriage proof. Clarifies age 18+ requirement and bans on close blood relatives.
For your own situation, always check your specific county’s Register of Wills or Clerk of Orphans’ Court page, since fees, online options, and appointment rules can change.

6. Recent & Trending Context (2024–2026)

  • Many PA counties expanded online applications and video appointments, especially after the pandemic, and some of those options remain in place.
  • Self‑uniting and small “micro‑wedding” or elopement ceremonies have become more popular in PA, especially in scenic outdoor locations.
  • Wedding professionals and blogs now frequently publish updated guides specific to Pennsylvania, including checklists for licenses, officiants, and elopement logistics.

A lot of couples now treat “get the license handled early” as a key planning task so they can focus on the fun parts of the day.

7. Mini Story Example

Imagine you’re planning a simple backyard wedding in central PA in June. In early May, you and your partner complete the county’s online marriage license application, schedule a quick video call with the clerk, show your IDs on camera, and pay the fee.

Three days later, your license becomes valid and the county mails it to you. On your wedding day, your best friend officiates under a traditional license, signs the form, and hands it back to you. The next business day, you drop the signed license at the courthouse, and a week later you order certified copies to update your Social Security record and driver’s license.

8. Quick Checklist (How to Get Married in PA)

  1. Confirm you both meet PA’s legal requirements (age, not closely related, prior marriages finalized).
  1. Pick a county and check its website for application instructions, fees, and whether they offer online or video appointments.
  1. Gather IDs and documents: photo ID, Social Security number (if applicable), divorce decree/annulment/death certificate if previously married.
  1. Apply for the marriage license (online + appointment or in person), pay the fee, and wait the 3 days.
  1. Choose traditional vs self‑uniting license and line up your officiant or witnesses.
  1. Have your ceremony within 60 days of license issuance, anywhere in Pennsylvania.
  1. Ensure the license is signed correctly and returned to the county within the required timeframe so your marriage is officially recorded.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.