Bethlehem Marriage License Guide

Bethlehem is one of the few Pennsylvania cities that straddles two counties, and this matters when applying for a marriage license. Bethlehem City Hall does not issue marriage licenses. Instead, you apply at the county courthouse for whichever county your address falls within. Most of Bethlehem lies within Northampton County, where residents apply at the Northampton County Courthouse in Easton. If your Bethlehem address is in the Lehigh County portion of the city, you apply at the Lehigh County Government Center in Allentown. Confirm your county before scheduling your visit.

Northampton County Courthouse for Most Bethlehem Residents

The majority of Bethlehem's neighborhoods fall within Northampton County. Residents on the Northampton County side apply at the Northampton County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court. The office is located at the Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington Street, in Easton, Pennsylvania, which is approximately 15 miles east of Bethlehem. The office can be reached at 610-829-6488, and hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

If you live in the Lehigh County portion of Bethlehem, apply instead at the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South 7th Street, Allentown, PA 18101 (phone: 610-782-3000). The Lehigh County fee is $100.

Note: If you are unsure which county your Bethlehem address falls in, check your voter registration or contact the city of Bethlehem's administrative office for clarification.

Bethlehem Marriage License Requirements

Regardless of which county office processes your Bethlehem marriage license application, the same Pennsylvania state requirements apply. Under §1306, both applicants must appear together in person at the Register of Wills office. Each person must present a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID are acceptable forms of identification. Applicants should also be prepared to provide Social Security numbers.

Previously married applicants must bring documentation showing how the prior marriage ended. Widowed individuals should have a certified copy of the death certificate. Divorced individuals need the final divorce decree, either the original or a certified copy. Any documents in a foreign language must include a certified English translation before the office will accept them. All applicants must be at least 18, as required by §1304(b). Both county offices are accustomed to answering questions about documentation, so call ahead if you have any uncertainty about what to bring.

Bethlehem Marriage License Waiting Period and Validity

Pennsylvania imposes a three-day waiting period on all marriage licenses, including those issued to Bethlehem residents through either Northampton or Lehigh County. This requirement comes from §1303 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The license is issued at the time of your visit, but no ceremony may take place until three full days have passed after the application date.

The Bethlehem marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance, per §1310. This window is consistent statewide. Couples planning a wedding in Bethlehem, whether at one of the city's historic venues, a Lehigh Valley winery, or a local church, should apply early enough to clear the three-day waiting period while still having the ceremony before the 60-day expiration. The drive to Easton for Northampton County applicants adds a logistical consideration compared to cities where the office is directly in town.

Note: Plan your travel to the Easton courthouse accordingly, particularly if you need to make the trip during a workday.

Bethlehem as a Two-County City

Bethlehem's two-county geography is a distinctive feature of the city. The Lehigh River historically formed part of the boundary, and the city expanded over time to encompass neighborhoods in both Northampton and Lehigh counties. The majority of Bethlehem's population and its downtown area, South Side, and Northside neighborhoods fall within Northampton County. The Lehigh County portion of Bethlehem is generally found in the western sections of the city near the border with Allentown.

Bethlehem is widely known as Christmas City USA, a nickname rooted in the city's Moravian heritage and its annual Christkindlmarkt and Festival of Lights celebrations. The city is home to Lehigh University and Moravian University, two institutions with long histories tied to Bethlehem's founding communities. The Steel Stacks arts and culture campus, built on the former Bethlehem Steel site, has become a landmark destination in the Lehigh Valley. Couples planning a Bethlehem wedding can take advantage of the city's distinctive venues and cultural character while navigating the county-based marriage license process.

Northampton County Marriage License Records

Northampton County marriage records are maintained by the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court in Easton. The Northampton County Orphans Court page provides information about the court's functions and how to access records maintained by the office. For Bethlehem residents applying in Northampton County, records of your marriage license will be maintained at the Easton office after the license is issued and returned following the ceremony.

The Northampton County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court in Easton handles marriage license applications and record-keeping for the majority of Bethlehem residents.

All Bethlehem marriage license applications are governed by Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The key provisions include §1301 (license required), §1303 (three-day wait), §1304(b) (minimum age 18), §1306 (in-person appearance), §1310 (60-day validity), and §1503 (authorized officiants).

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