Get Your Allentown Marriage License

Allentown residents apply for marriage licenses at the Lehigh County Government Center on South 7th Street, which is located within the city itself. There is no need to travel to a distant county seat because Allentown is the county seat of Lehigh County. The Lehigh County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court handles all marriage license applications for Allentown and every other municipality in Lehigh County. An appointment is required, and both applicants must appear together in person to complete the process.

Lehigh County Register of Wills in Allentown

The Lehigh County Government Center sits at 17 South 7th Street in Allentown and houses the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. An appointment is required before visiting; the office does not accept walk-in applications. You can schedule an appointment by phone at 610-782-3000. An online application option is also available, which can streamline the process on the day of your in-person visit.

The $100 fee is set by Lehigh County and is among the higher license fees in Pennsylvania. Confirm payment methods when scheduling your appointment.

Note: Allentown is the third-largest city in Pennsylvania and serves as the commercial and governmental hub of the Lehigh Valley region.

Allentown Marriage License Application Steps

To apply for an Allentown marriage license, both applicants must appear together at the Lehigh County Government Center at the scheduled appointment time. This requirement is mandated by Pennsylvania statute §1306, which applies to all 67 counties. Each applicant must present a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or other government-issued photo identification is acceptable. Both parties should also be prepared to provide Social Security numbers as part of the application.

If either applicant has been previously married, documentation is required. A widowed applicant must present a certified copy of the death certificate. A divorced applicant must bring the final divorce decree, either the original or a certified copy from the issuing court. Lehigh County staff will review these documents at the time of your appointment. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age as required by §1304(b). Using the online pre-application form available through Lehigh County can shorten the time you spend at the counter on the day of your appointment.

Three-Day Wait and 60-Day Window in Allentown

Pennsylvania law requires all marriage license applicants, including those in Allentown, to observe a three-day waiting period before the license becomes valid. This is established by §1303 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The license is issued at the time of the appointment, but the ceremony cannot take place until three days after the date of application.

Once the waiting period passes, the Allentown marriage license is valid for 60 days per §1310. Couples must hold their ceremony within this window or the license lapses. If you are planning a large wedding in Allentown or the surrounding Lehigh Valley, book your appointment well in advance. The appointment requirement at Lehigh County means you cannot walk in on short notice, so scheduling ahead of time is essential to making sure your license is ready when you need it.

Note: If you need to reschedule your appointment, contact the Lehigh County office promptly to avoid conflicts with your planned ceremony date.

Allentown and the Lehigh Valley Context

Allentown is the largest of the three main cities in the Lehigh Valley, alongside Bethlehem and Easton. While Allentown sits entirely within Lehigh County, nearby Bethlehem straddles both Lehigh and Northampton counties. Residents of Bethlehem who live on the Lehigh County side must also apply at the Lehigh County Government Center in Allentown. The $100 fee applies to any applicant processed through the Lehigh County office, regardless of which Lehigh Valley municipality you live in.

Allentown has a diverse and growing population. It is home to Cedar Crest College and Muhlenberg College, and the downtown corridor has seen significant redevelopment in recent years. The city's central location within the Lehigh Valley makes the Government Center at 17 South 7th Street a convenient destination for residents throughout the area. Whether you are a lifelong Allentown resident or recently relocated to the city, the process for obtaining your Allentown marriage license is straightforward once you have your appointment scheduled and your documents gathered.

Pennsylvania Marriage Laws Governing Allentown Licenses

All Allentown marriage license applications are subject to Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The key statute is §1301, which states that a marriage license is required before any ceremony can legally take place. Beyond the requirement to obtain a license, the state's statutes define the waiting period, the validity window, the age floor, and the rules for who can officiate a ceremony.

Section 1503 of the statute defines authorized officiants for Pennsylvania marriages. This includes judges of courts of record, justices of the peace, aldermen, magistrates, and ordained religious leaders. Couples who plan to hold a secular ceremony in Allentown should confirm that their chosen officiant qualifies under §1503 before booking. Most wedding officiants who are registered in Pennsylvania or have been ordained through recognized organizations will meet the statutory requirements. More details are available on the Lehigh County website.

The Lehigh County Government Center at 17 South 7th Street in Allentown is the site where all Lehigh County marriage license applications are processed.

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