How to Officiate a Wedding in Scranton, Pennsylvania

If you’re looking for a good ol’ Pennsylvania wedding, then you have picked an iconic city for it. Scranton is already a beloved town for any fans of the classic American sitcom, The Office, and for history buffs, it’s where the energy industry was redefined. Scranton also happens to be the hometown of current United States President Joe Biden. You’ll love exploring all Electric City has to offer, but let’s first get the logistics of your wedding out of the way.
 
AMM is here to walk you through the process of ordaining your hand-picked minister and helping you apply for, and fill out the marriage license. So, without further ado, let’s start with the ordainment process!
 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

According to Pennsylvania state law, “every religious society, religious institution or religious organization in this Commonwealth may join persons together in marriage when at least one of the persons is a member of the society, institution or organization, according to the rules and customs of the society, institution or organization."
 
If you do not fall into any of these categories, no sweat. You can get ordained with us to become a minister of AMM. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.
 
When it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Lackawanna County may ask you to present documentation, which AMM provides for a fee. (You can call the county clerk’s office before you perform the ceremony to ask if they will require you to bring the certificate in person.)
 
The Pennsylvania Government does not license, register, or certify ministers or wedding officiants, so once you are signed up with us, you may start performing weddings in the state!

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Lackawanna County

Now that the formal application process is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the more personal aspects of conducting the wedding ceremony. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but requires a bit of preparation. You may want to check out our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly. 
 
Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

Obtaining the marriage license is the responsibility of the couple, but it’s good for the minister to double-check that it is present on the day of the ceremony. As the minister, you will need to make sure that the license is valid and filled out properly before it is returned for filing.
 
The Clerk of Orphans’ Court, which is responsible for issuing and filing marriage licenses, will expect the marriage license to be returned within 10 days of the ceremony. Someone should be designated to ensure that the marriage license is mailed back to the office. If you want to be an A+ officiant, offer to take care of this final step for the couple so that they can enjoy their honeymoon without having to worry about returning their marriage license.
 

File for the Marriage License from the Lackawanna County Clerk of Orphan's Court

Now let’s focus on the couple’s responsibilities. If you are planning to get married within the next 60 days, fill out the marriage license application online before making an appointment with the Lackawanna County Clerk of Orphan’s Court. Once you have completed the online application, call the office at 570-963-6702 to schedule an appointment. When visiting the office, both marriage applicants are required to present valid state-issued identification, as well as their social security numbers. Those previously married must also present a certified copy of the divorce or death certificate of their spouse. The fee for the marriage license in Lackawanna County is $70.00. 
 
When you go, just don’t forget to bring

• Valid Identification (Passport, Driver’s License, State ID)
• Social Security Number (card not required)
• $70.00 cash or check
• Other applicable documents (Divorce Papers etc…)
   

The Basics

Green Ridge, established in 1901, is a popular wedding venue for locals. This location has an excellent reputation for a great bar and table service. It also has elegant banquet halls, perfect for both dinners and wedding receptions. For an extravagant celebration, check out the Colonnade. This posh venue offers all the amenities from beautiful floral arrangements to lavish chandelier-lit ballrooms. 

Transportation

The COLTS public transportation system in Lackawanna County offers great service to locations in and around Scranton. Uber and Lyft should also be available, but if you don’t want to rack up costs, public transportation or bringing your own car is highly advisable. There are also a few bike rental shops around if you want to help save the environment and get some exercise!

Weather

One great thing about Pennsylvania is its four seasons. Fall is a beautiful time for a wedding in the area, as the oak and maple trees are in transition. Winter can be quite cold, with the average daily high at about 34 degrees in December. Snow and ice aren’t too common, but the area usually sees at least a few inches a year. Late spring (before the heat and humidity show up in July) would be the perfect time for an outdoor wedding.
 
However, it may be worth looking into investing in wedding insurance, as weather can be quite unpredictable in Scranton. Wedding insurance doesn’t cost much, and if a storm rolls in unexpectedly, you’ll be glad you’re covered.