Marriage license · Free to use

Pennsylvania marriage license: fee, waiting period and how to apply

What Pennsylvania's official pages say about getting married there: the fee, the waiting period, how long the license lasts, witnesses, officiants, ID and where to apply. Each rule links its source.

By Wedding RemedyPublished November 9, 2026

Editorial standards

Pennsylvania marriage license at a glance

Fee: $90 for a regular license; $100 for a Quaker or self-uniting license. Waiting period: A license cannot be issued before the third day after applying; a court may allow it sooner in emergencies or for called-up reservists. How long it is valid: Valid starting the third day after application and for 60 days from the issue date.

Pennsylvania counties set their own fee. The fee shown is from Philadelphia County, the largest county; ask your county clerk for its fee.

Pennsylvania marriage license rules

The rules below restate official pages, linked with the date they were read. Last checked November 9, 2026. Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice: confirm with the clerk where you apply before you rely on a rule.

Fee: $90 for a regular license; $100 for a Quaker or self-uniting license. (Source: phila.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Premarital education discount: None stated on the official pages we read. Check with your county clerk. Official page
Waiting period: A license cannot be issued before the third day after applying; a court may allow it sooner in emergencies or for called-up reservists. (Source: legis.state.pa.us, checked October 30, 2026)
How long the license is valid: Valid starting the third day after application and for 60 days from the issue date. (Source: phila.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Where the license can be used: Valid in any Pennsylvania county, but not in another state or country. (Source: phila.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Witnesses: A self-uniting license needs two witnesses to sign; the page states no witness rule for a regular license. (Source: phila.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Who may officiate: Judges, mayors, and ministers, priests or rabbis of a regularly established church or congregation; a self-uniting license lets the couple officiate. (Source: legis.state.pa.us, checked October 30, 2026)
Officiants ordained online: Not stated here. Ask the county clerk before you rely on an online ordination. Official page
Age: Both applicants must be 18; no license is issued if either is under 18. (Source: legis.state.pa.us, checked October 30, 2026)
ID and documents to bring: Two forms of ID per applicant, one of them a photo ID. (Source: phila.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Where to apply: Both applicants appear in person at the Register of Wills Marriage License Department, City Hall Room 413, Philadelphia. (Source: phila.gov, checked October 30, 2026)
Online application: Check with your county clerk. Official page
Certified copy of the marriage certificate: Philadelphia's license page lists extra certified copies at $15 each when you apply and $40 each afterward; its marriage records page lists $25 per certified copy. (Source: phila.gov, checked November 9, 2026)

Common questions

How much is a marriage license in Pennsylvania?

$90 for a regular license; $100 for a Quaker or self-uniting license. Pennsylvania counties set their own fee. The fee shown is from Philadelphia County, the largest county; ask your county clerk for its fee.

Is there a waiting period to get married in Pennsylvania?

A license cannot be issued before the third day after applying; a court may allow it sooner in emergencies or for called-up reservists.

How long is a Pennsylvania marriage license valid?

Valid starting the third day after application and for 60 days from the issue date.

Do you need witnesses to get married in Pennsylvania?

A self-uniting license needs two witnesses to sign; the page states no witness rule for a regular license.

Who can officiate a wedding in Pennsylvania?

Judges, mayors, and ministers, priests or rabbis of a regularly established church or congregation; a self-uniting license lets the couple officiate.

How do you get a certified copy of a Pennsylvania marriage certificate?

Philadelphia's license page lists extra certified copies at $15 each when you apply and $40 each afterward; its marriage records page lists $25 per certified copy.

Get new planning guides and checklists by email

Once a week, the planning guides that went live that week, and the printable wedding vendor contract checklist when you confirm. Unsubscribe from any email. Start with the printable wedding vendor contract checklist.