How to Fill out a Pennsylvania Marriage License with Examples & FAQs

Complete your PA marriage license with confidence: Tips for wedding officiants

 

Asked to officiate a Pennsylvania wedding? Getting married in Pennsylvania? Whether you're a new wedding officiant or soon-to-be newlyweds, here’s everything you need to know about the marriage license process, including cost, waiting period, and – most importantly – how to fill out a PA marriage license correctly the first time!

 

We hear those wedding bells ringing, so let’s take a look! 

 

Note: These tips refer to traditional Pennsylvania marriage licenses. If you choose a self-uniting marriage license (for a Quaker wedding or a wedding with no officiant), please ask your clerk for the most up-to-date instructions when purchasing your license. 

 

RELATED: Heartfelt Self Uniting Marriage Ceremony Script

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How to Fill Out PA Marriage License: Example & FAQs

1. How to fill out a Pennsylvania marriage license (for the Officiant)

 

It’s the wedding officiant’s responsibility to fill out the marriage license following the wedding ceremony. After the license is completed, the officiant will give one portion to the couple to keep for their records, keep one portion for their own records, and return the correct portion to the clerk’s office or marriage bureau where it was issued (see example below). 

 

Related: Officiant Training: Understanding the Wedding License Process

 

Here are some pointers from the Franklin County Clerk of Orphans’ Court and Lycoming County Register and Recorder’s Office to get you started:

 

• Use black ink only to complete the document. Please write clearly and legibly, and don't use cursive to fill in the license.

 

• The officiant must return the appropriate portion of the completed marriage license within 10 days, to the clerk’s office where the license was issued.

 

• The marriage license has 3 portions. County requirements vary on which portions of the marriage license must be kept and which must be returned. We strongly recommend you contact the issuing office directly to confirm which portion of the completed license to return before putting it in the mail. 

 

(For example, in many parts of Pennsylvania, the top section of the completed license is kept by the officiant for their personal records. However, in Lycoming County, the top section may be given to the newlyweds. And in Franklin County, the middle section is given to the newlyweds, while the Association of Mayors of the Burroughs of Pennsylvania instructs officiants to return the middle portion of the license to the Register of Wills. As you can see – it’s very important to check with your issuing office directly.)

 

• The portion of the marriage license returned to the clerk must include the location of the ceremony (city and county); and the officiant’s name, title (AMM Minister), address and phone number – written legibly in print, not cursive. 

 

 

2. Example of a Pennsylvania Marriage License

 

We reached out to the Franklin County and York County Clerk of Orphan’s Court Offices for examples of official PA marriage licenses, and how to fill one out. 

The sample images below show what each portion of your marriage license may look like. The officiant will fill in each section as indicated in the images, and sign the marriage license. 

 

Sample One:

This marriage license example, provided by the York County Clerk of Orphan’s Court, uses green highlighter to show the sections of the document that the wedding officiant is responsible for, which the officiant must fill out and sign after the wedding ceremony. Read more about the requirements for a marriage license and who can officiate on the York County Clerk's website. 

 

 

Sample Two:

 

This sample marriage license, provided by the Franklin County Clerk of Orphan’s Court Office, labels which portion of the marriage license to return to the issuing office, and which portions the couple and the officiant will keep for their personal records. In this example, the officiant keeps the top portion for their records; the copule keeps the middle portion; and the third / bottom portion is returned to the clerk to file. Keep in mind that these instructions might be different in your county; check with the clerk's office before you file your completed license. Read more about marriage license requirements and services on the Franklin County Clerk's website. 

 

 

3. What to do if you make a mistake on a PA marriage license?

 

If you make a mistake while filling out the marriage license – such as a misspelled name, incorrect date, or the wrong address – the couple may need to purchase a replacement license and complete it with the accurate information. Since different counties have different steps to take to correct different types of errors, we recommend you contact the clerk’s office directly with your questions. This will be the simplest way to handle any issues that come up.

 

 

4. Can someone who is ordained online sign a marriage license in Pennsylvania?

 

Yes, ministers who are ordained online through a reputable and recognized church, including American Marriage Ministries, can officiate weddings in Pennsylvania and sign your marriage license. 

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However, not all online-ordained ministers are legally qualified to perform marriages in all states. If your officiant is ordained online with a church that is not AMM, it’s important to verify their minister credentials before they perform your wedding ceremony: 

 

• How to Tell if Your Officiant Can Perform a Legal Wedding

 

 

5.  How much is a marriage license in Pennsylvania? (Cost)

 

Marriage license prices may vary slightly by county, and sometimes increase to keep up with state budget costs. For the most-current Pennsylvania marriage license cost, click the link below, or contact your local clerk’s office: 

 

• How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?

 

 

6. How long does it take to get a marriage license in Pennsylvania? (PA marriage license waiting period)

 

The amount of time you spend in the clerk’s office will vary depending on where you apply. After completing the marriage license application, there is a 3-day waiting period. This means you must wait 3 days before you use your marriage license. Your wedding ceremony can’t take place until after this period has passed. Learn more about marriage license waiting periods by clicking the link below: 

 

• State-by-state marriage waiting periods should be part of your wedding plan

 

 

7. How long is a marriage license good for in PA?

 

How long a marriage license is valid in each state is called the “expiration period.” This is the number of days or months you have to use your license after it’s issued – your ceremony must take place within this timeframe. To see the current Pennsylvania marriage license expiration period, click the link below: 

 

• Marriage License Waiting Period, Expiration, and Return
• See all PA marriage license laws

 

 

8. How to get a copy of a Pennsylvania marriage license

 

If you need a copy of your Pennsylvania marriage license after it’s filed, you must contact the clerk’s office where it was issued. (Don’t worry, they’ll have it! Pennsylvania marriage license records go all the way back to the 1800s.)

 

Depending on the county, you may be able to order a copy of your license online. In some cases you may choose to download and complete a “Request for Certified Copy: Marriage License” form and submit your order to the clerk’s office by mail. 

 

If you need a replacement copy of a marriage license before it’s been filed, for example if you damage or lose your marriage license, contact the issuing office directly for next steps. 

 

If you need to correct or amend a filed Pennsylvania marriage license, contact your county clerk directly for instructions. This process varies slightly by county, and often begins with Filing a Petition for Amendment of Marriage Record with the local county court.

 

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Explore More Pennsylvania Wedding Tips & News From AMM

 

• How to Get Married in Pennsylvania - Planning a Wedding in The Keystone State
   
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