How to get a Pennsylvania marriage certificate
In Pennsylvania, order a certified marriage certificate from the Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans Court of the issuing county.1 State cannot issue marriage records.2 You can order by mail or in person. The fastest published option is in person: same day3.
On this page
Ways to order
| How | Cost per copy | Processing time | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| By mail | $253, plus $153 research fee | 7 to 10 business days3 | Money order3 |
| In person | $253 + one extra charge | Same day3 | – |
By mail
In person
Types of copies
| Copy | Accepted for | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy (Philadelphia example)3 | – | $253 |
| Exemplified copy (Philadelphia example)3 | International purposes3 | $503 |
How long it takes
These are the office's own published times. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.
What the application asks for
Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.3
- Names both people used when they applied for the license
- Date of the marriage
Which office holds a marriage record
Certified copies come from the office that recorded the signed license; the years each office holds are listed below. Marriage license vs certificate explains the difference and which copy agencies ask for.
Years held and older records
Special situations
- Use abroad
- Apostille needs the register of wills or clerk signature6
Warnings from the office
- Department of Health does not hold copies to issue6
The state office
- Office
- Division of Vital Records7
- Contact
- Contact form7
- Mailing address
- Division of Vital Records, Birth Certificate Processing Unit, PO Box 1528, New Castle, PA 161037
- Walk-in address
- 105 Nesbitt Road, New Castle, PA 161054
- Hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00AM - 4:00PM. Closed holidays.4
- Website
- Official website8
Questions people ask
How long does it take to get a Pennsylvania marriage certificate?
By mail: 7 to 10 business days. In person: same day.3
Who do I make the check or money order payable to?
Write it exactly as the office prints it: City of Philadelphia.3
Where are older Pennsylvania marriage certificates kept?
Church records and newspapers.5
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.
- Marriage recordsPennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, State Archives
- Act of Jun. 29, 1953,P.L. 304, No. 66 Cl. 35Pennsylvania General Assembly
- Find and request a marriage recordCity of Philadelphia
- Public officesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
- Vital recordspa.gov/…atelibrary/programs-and-services/research-guides/vital-recordsState Library of Pennsylvania
- Get document certifications apostillesPennsylvania Department of State
- Birth certificatesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
- Vital recordspa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-recordsPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records