How to Get a Marriage License in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- varies by county (~$40-$90; Register of Wills / Orphans' Court Clerk)
- Waiting period
- 3 days (license effective on the 4th day; waivable by court order)
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Pennsylvania is different. self-solemnization / self-uniting (Quaker) marriages — no officiant required
Confirm the fee before you go. The marriage-license fee in this state is set by the county and varies, so the figure above is a representative range — check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
This row is flagged for re-verification on publish (county-set fee and/or a statute section still being pinned).
In Pennsylvania, couples seeking a marriage license must apply at the Register of Wills or Marriage License Bureau in the county where they intend to marry. The fee varies by county, typically ranging from approximately $40 to $90, and is set by each county; applicants should confirm the exact fee with their county clerk's office before applying. Applicants must present a government-issued photo ID, proof of age, and provide their Social Security number. Pennsylvania has no residency requirement. The minimum age to marry without consent is 18; individuals aged 16 or 17 may marry with parental consent, and those under 16 may marry with both parental consent and court approval.
Once issued, a marriage license is valid for 60 days and becomes effective on the fourth day after issuance; a three-day waiting period applies but may be waived by court order. Pennsylvania offers a distinctive self-uniting (Quaker) license option, which allows a couple to marry without an officiant, provided two witnesses sign the license. For the most current fee information, eligibility requirements, and application procedures, applicants should verify details directly with their county Register of Wills or consult the state government website before proceeding.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| License fee | varies by county (~$40-$90; Register of Wills / Orphans' Court Clerk) |
| Fee set by | County (varies by county) |
| Waiting period | 3 days (license effective on the 4th day; waivable by court order) |
| License validity | 60 days |
| ID required | government photo ID; proof of age; SSN |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with parental consent; under 16 with consent AND court approval |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | no witnesses required (PA also allows SELF-UNITING/Quaker licenses with 2 witnesses, no officiant) |
| Online option | self-uniting (Quaker) license option lets the couple marry without an officiant (2 witnesses sign) |
| Where to apply | Register of Wills / Marriage License Bureau (county-administered) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full Pennsylvania requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record Pennsylvania marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.