GETTING MARRIED IN PA

VALID MARRIAGE LICENSE REQUIRED

You must have a valid marriage license issued by the state of Pennsylvania BEFORE you can have a wedding ceremony. You must have the license with you on the day of your wedding or the ceremony will not be performed. Pennsylvania has a 3 day period waiting period once you have applied for the the license before the ceremony can be performed. The marriage license is valid for 60 days. In the event that your license is not valid at the time of the ceremony, any fees paid remain non-refundable. 

A license obtained in Pennsylvania may only be used in this state. The license may be applied for in any county and be used in any other county (such as applying in Montgomery County and being married in Philadelphia County). Marriage licenses obtained in other states cannot be used in Pennsylvania.  We have provided links below to the most common counties for additional information. Please note that due to Covid, most marriage bureau are requiring appointments now.

Age Requirement

In Pennsylvania, the legal age to get married without parental consent is 18. The age with parental consent is 16.

Identification

Proper identification is required to be shown by every couple wishing to get married at The Philadelphia Wedding Chapel. Names on identification must match those on the marriage license.

Non-US Citizens: Please contact the County in which you are applying for your license for information on the particular forms of identification required to apply for your license.

Certified Copies of Marriage License

Depending on the county in which you applied for your license, you will either need to order and pick up your certified certificate, or you will receive it in the mail once it has filed it with the appropriate marriage bureau.  Please allow up to four weeks for the processing of your license.  If you have any questions on the specifics of obtaining your certified certificate, please contact the county directly.

Changing Your Name

You will need the following documents to get a legal name change in Pennsylvania after marriage:

• Certified marriage certificate

• Proof of identification (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)

• Proof of age (adoption decree, hospital record, or birth certificate)

MARRIAGE BUREAUS

Please see the links below for your county's marriage license application requirements. If your county is not listed, please contact us.

Berks County
Bucks County
Chester County
Cumberland County
Delaware County
Montgomery County
Philadelphia County