Marriage license · Pennsylvania
How to Get a Marriage License in Pennsylvania
Everything Pennsylvania couples need — fee, waiting period, ID requirements, where to apply, how long the license stays valid, and what happens after the wedding.
At a glance
| License fee | $45–$90 (varies by county) |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 3 days (waivable) |
| License valid for | 60 days |
| Minimum age | 18 (16 with consent) |
| ID required | Photo ID + Social Security number |
| Blood test | No |
| Witnesses | 2 (self-uniting license available for Quaker tradition) |
| Apply online | Yes (varies by county) |
| Where to apply | Any County Marriage License Bureau |
Step-by-step
- Decide where to apply. In Pennsylvania, you apply at any county marriage license bureau.
- Gather your documents. Bring photo id + social security number for both partners.
- Apply online or in person. Most Pennsylvania offices charge $45–$90 (varies by county) per license.
- Wait the required 3 days (waivable). You can't use the license until this period passes.
- Use the license within 60 days. After it expires you'll need to apply (and pay) again.
- Have it signed. 2 (self-uniting license available for Quaker tradition) witness(es) must sign at the ceremony.
- Return the signed license. Your officiant files it with the issuing office; you'll receive a certified marriage certificate within a few weeks.
When should you apply in Pennsylvania?
The two dates that matter are the waiting period and the expiration. A Pennsylvania license is good for 60 days and can't be used until 3 days (waivable) after it's issued. Working backwards from your wedding day:
| Timing | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm the office hours and appointment rules for any county marriage license bureau. Check whether your officiant must be registered in Pennsylvania. |
| Earliest you can apply | 60 days before the ceremony (any earlier and it expires). |
| Sweet spot | 2–4 weeks before the wedding — clears the 3 days (waivable) wait with room for a reissue if something is wrong. |
| Wedding week | Risky — a 3 days (waivable) wait plus office closures can leave you without a valid license. |
| After the ceremony | Officiant files the license; order 2–3 certified copies for name changes. |
What it actually costs to get legally married in Pennsylvania
The license is only part of the legal cost. Here's the realistic total for a Pennsylvania couple doing the paperwork properly:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $45–$90 (varies by county) |
| Certified copies of the certificate (order 2–3) | $10–$25 each |
| Courthouse or civil ceremony fee | $25–$100 |
| Independent officiant (if you hire one) | $200–$800 |
| Name change filing (Social Security is free; state ID/passport are not) | $0–$190 |
Everything else — venue, catering, photography — sits outside the legal paperwork. See average wedding costs by city for what the celebration itself runs.
After the wedding: certificates and name changes in Pennsylvania
- Confirm the license was filed. Call the issuing office 2–3 weeks after the wedding if you haven't received anything.
- Order certified copies. Photocopies aren't accepted for name changes — you need certified copies with the raised seal or official stamp. Two or three is the practical number.
- Social Security first. File Form SS-5 with a certified certificate. It's free, and every other agency checks against it.
- Pennsylvania driver's license or state ID next. Most states require you to update within 30 days of the Social Security change.
- Passport, banks, employer, insurance, voter registration. Passport renewal is free within one year of issuance, otherwise $130–$190.
Mistakes Pennsylvania couples make
- Applying too early. A Pennsylvania license expires after 60 days. Apply outside that window and you pay twice.
- Forgetting the 3 days (waivable) wait. A license issued the day before the wedding may not be legally usable.
- Names that don't match. The name on your license must match your ID exactly — nicknames and missing middle names cause reissues.
- An unregistered officiant. Confirm your officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in Pennsylvania before booking.
- Ordering only one certified copy. Agencies keep them; you'll be reordering for weeks.
Important notes for Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers a self-uniting marriage license — no officiant required.
Wedding costs in Pennsylvania
Once the paperwork is handled, here's what weddings actually cost in Pennsylvania metros:
- Average wedding cost in Philadelphia — $42,000 average, $175 per guest
- Average wedding cost in Pittsburgh — $31,000 average, $140 per guest
Common questions specific to Pennsylvania
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a marriage license cost in Pennsylvania?
- In Pennsylvania the marriage license fee is $45–$90 (varies by county). Budget another $10–$25 per certified copy of the marriage certificate afterwards.
- Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Pennsylvania?
- Yes — Pennsylvania requires a 3 days (waivable) waiting period after the license is issued before it can be used.
- How long is a Pennsylvania marriage license valid?
- A Pennsylvania marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
- Can you apply for a marriage license online in Pennsylvania?
- Yes — many Pennsylvania counties accept online applications, though final issuance typically requires an in-person visit.
- Do you need witnesses to get married in Pennsylvania?
- Yes — Pennsylvania requires 2 (self-uniting license available for Quaker tradition) witness(es) to sign the marriage license at the ceremony.
- Do you need a blood test to get married in Pennsylvania?
- No — Pennsylvania does not require a blood test. No US state has required one since 2019.
- Can out-of-state couples get married in Pennsylvania?
- Yes. Pennsylvania issues marriage licenses to non-residents, and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply at any county marriage license bureau and allow for the 3 days (waivable) waiting period.
- What's the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
- The license is the permission you get before the wedding — in Pennsylvania it costs $45–$90 (varies by county) and is valid for 60 days. The certificate is the proof issued after the signed license is filed, and it's what you use for name changes.
- How many certified copies of the marriage certificate should you order in Pennsylvania?
- Two or three. Social Security, the Pennsylvania DMV, and passport services each want to see a certified copy, and some agencies keep them.
Marriage license guides for other states