Philadelphia County Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses in Philadelphia County are issued by the Philadelphia Register of Wills. That office is also tied to Orphans' Court functions, but marriage licensing is its own public service line. Both applicants must appear in person and provide required documents. A Philadelphia marriage license can be used anywhere in Pennsylvania, but it cannot be used in another state or country.
The office requires two forms of identification for each applicant. One must be a current valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, state photo ID, international driver's license, U.S. or international passport, military ID, or PHL City ID. The second ID usually proves Social Security number or ITIN, such as a Social Security card, official printout, ITIN IRS document, pay stub, W-2, or income tax return. Applicants without SSN or ITIN still need a second accepted ID.
The Register of Wills homepage is the main public entry point for Philadelphia County marriage records and related services.
That office should not be confused with the Prothonotary / Office of Judicial Records - Civil, which is the path for divorce case records.
Apply for Philadelphia County Marriage License
The city marriage license service sets the local walk-in, payment, timing, and return rules. Walk-ins are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., at City Hall, 1400 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Room 413, Philadelphia, PA 19107. The license is issued at the end of the visit, becomes valid on the third day after the application, and remains valid for 60 days.
- Both applicants appear in person at the Marriage License Department with required identification.
- Bring proof that any prior marriage ended, if either applicant was previously married.
- Pay by Visa, Mastercard, or money order because cash and personal checks are not accepted.
- Receive the license at the end of the visit and wait until the third day after application to use it.
- After the ceremony, the officiant or self-uniting couple returns the signed license within 10 days.
The official get a marriage license service page lists the documents and local process.
The same service page is the best source for special cases, interpreter requests, and payment limits before an applicant goes to City Hall.
Philadelphia County Marriage Form Fields
The research does not reproduce a full blank application form, but it identifies the information and proofs the office requires. These fields are the practical inventory a couple should be ready to provide or support at the counter.
| Field or Proof | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant names | Yes | Names used by both applicants are also needed later for record searches. |
| Current valid photo ID | Yes | Driver's license, state photo ID, passport, military ID, PHL City ID, or accepted equivalent. |
| Second identification | Yes | Usually proves SSN or ITIN, but other accepted documents may apply when no SSN or ITIN exists. |
| Prior marriage proof | If applicable | Certified death certificate for widowed applicants or original divorce decree for divorced applicants. |
| Certified translation | If applicable | Needed for non-English death certificates or divorce decrees. |
| Legal name-change decree | If applicable | Certified court decree is required when a prior legal name change exists. |
| Interpreter information | If needed | Interpreter must be at least 18 with current valid photo ID, or the office can provide a free interpreter. |
Limited-English-proficiency applicants may request a free interpreter from the Register of Wills. The office recommends requesting at least 48 hours before the preferred appointment and contacting earlier when possible.
Philadelphia County Marriage Fees
The researched fee schedule separates license costs from record-copy costs. Marriage license payments are Visa, Mastercard, or money order only, with no cash, personal checks, or refunds after purchase. Record-copy requests may add a mail research fee or same-day service fee depending on the route.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular marriage license | $90 |
| Quaker/self-uniting license | $100 |
| Corrections fee | $25 |
| Additional certified copy at application | $15 |
| Certified copy after application | $40 |
| Replacement lost or destroyed license | $10 |
| Certified marriage record copy | $25 |
| Exemplified marriage copy | $50 |
| Same-day marriage record processing | $45 |
| Mail research fee | $15 |
The Register of Wills fee schedule page is the source for the researched Philadelphia County marriage fees.
Fee checks are important because certified, exemplified, replacement, correction, and research charges are separate line items.
Search Philadelphia County Marriage Records
The Register of Wills keeps Philadelphia marriage license records dating back to 1885. Online marriage record search covers Philadelphia marriages from 1995 or later and may return applicant names, marriage license number, and license date. The search result does not remove the need for a copy request when a certified or exemplified record is needed for legal use.
Mail requests require the names used by both people when applying, the marriage date, a $15 research fee money order payable to City of Philadelphia, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and mailing to Marriage Record Department, City Hall, Room 415, Philadelphia, PA 19107. If the record is found, the office sends a copy request form and later collects certified or exemplified copy payment. Typical receipt after the copy order is 7 to 10 business days. Same-day in-person service requires arrival by 2:30 p.m. Questions go to 215-686-2234.
The official find and request a marriage record page explains the online and copy-request path.
For older records from 1860 through 1885, the research points searchers to Philadelphia City Archives rather than the modern online marriage search.
Find Philadelphia County Divorce Records
Philadelphia County divorce records are not Register of Wills marriage records. Divorce case files are Common Pleas Family Court and Office of Judicial Records records. Public docket access depends on the civil and family court record channels available for that case. Certified decrees are requested through the Office of Judicial Records, not through the marriage license counter.
The researched fee schedule lists divorce commencement at $334.73 and defendant first filing at $144.54. A divorce decree can serve as legal proof of name change, which is why the marriage license process asks divorced applicants to present the original divorce decree before a new license is issued. Family records may also include details that are restricted or not fully visible in public online systems.
For broader civil docket access, the correct local office is the Prothonotary / Office of Judicial Records - Civil, while marriage licensing and certified marriage records remain with the Register of Wills.
Philadelphia County Marriage Contacts
Marriage license questions go to the Marriage License Department at 215-686-2233. Marriage record questions go to 215-686-2234. Register of Wills service counters are in City Hall, with marriage licensing in Room 413 and marriage record mail directed to Room 415. The Register of Wills contact page is the local source for room numbers, phone lines, emails, and hours.
Marriage License Department
City Hall, Room 413
1400 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-686-2233
Marriage Record Department
City Hall, Room 415
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-686-2234
Mail requests need a money order and return envelope.
The Register of Wills contact page confirms the office contact structure for Philadelphia County marriage records.
Use the contact page when a record search involves a special case, an interpreter request, or an older file that is not found online.