Philadelphia Marriage License Applications

Philadelphia is unique among Pennsylvania cities because it is both a city and a county. City residents do not need to travel to a separate county seat. Instead, you apply for your Philadelphia marriage license at Room 413 inside City Hall at Broad and Market Streets. The office responsible for all marriage license applications is the Philadelphia Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court. Both applicants must appear together in person, bringing valid identification and any required supporting documents to complete the application process.

Philadelphia Register of Wills Office

The Philadelphia Register of Wills occupies Room 413 on the fourth floor of City Hall. City Hall sits at the intersection of Broad and Market Streets in Center City, served by multiple SEPTA lines and accessible from most neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Walk-in applicants are accepted Monday through Friday until 3:15 PM. If your schedule requires a specific time slot, appointments can be arranged by emailing MLAppt@phila.gov.

Payment is accepted by Visa, Mastercard, or money order only. Cash and personal checks are not accepted. Confirm your payment method before visiting to avoid any disruption to your application.

Note: Appointments can be booked by emailing MLAppt@phila.gov, and walk-ins are welcome any weekday before 3:15 PM.

Philadelphia Marriage License ID Requirements

Under Pennsylvania statute §1306, both applicants must appear together at the Register of Wills to apply for a Philadelphia marriage license. Each person must present a valid government-issued photo ID. The office accepts driver's licenses, state ID cards, U.S. passports, military IDs, and Philadelphia City IDs. In addition to photo identification, each applicant must also provide a secondary document showing a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

Previously married applicants face additional documentation requirements. If one or both parties were widowed, a certified copy of the former spouse's death certificate must be presented. Divorced applicants must bring the original divorce decree or a certified copy issued by the court. Documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The office will not process documents that have not been translated. Non-English speakers may bring a personal interpreter who is at least 18 years old and has a valid photo ID. Alternatively, you can request a free interpreter through the office, provided you give at least 48 hours notice before your appointment or walk-in visit.

All applicants must be 18 or older per §1304(b).

Philadelphia Waiting Period and License Validity

Pennsylvania requires a three-day waiting period after application before a marriage license becomes usable. This requirement comes from §1303 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and applies uniformly across all 67 counties, including Philadelphia. The license is issued at the time of application, but no ceremony may take place until the three full days have passed.

Your Philadelphia marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance, as established by §1310. You must hold your ceremony within that 60-day window. If the license expires before the ceremony occurs, you must start the application process again. Most couples apply between one and three weeks before their ceremony date to allow sufficient time while staying within the validity period.

Note: The three-day waiting period starts the day after you submit your application, not on the same day.

Self-Uniting Licenses Available in Philadelphia

Philadelphia offers self-uniting marriage licenses, a distinctive option rooted in the Quaker tradition that has existed in Pennsylvania since the colonial era. A self-uniting license allows a couple to marry without a state-authorized officiant. The couple and their witnesses sign the license themselves, completing the ceremony without clergy or a civil officer presiding. The fee for a self-uniting license in Philadelphia is $100, compared to the standard $90 fee.

The application process for a self-uniting Philadelphia marriage license is the same as for a standard license. Both parties must appear together at Room 413, present valid photo ID and secondary identification, and meet all other requirements. The same three-day waiting period under §1303 applies, and the license remains valid for 60 days. Pennsylvania law under §1503 recognizes the self-uniting option as a fully legal alternative to ceremonies conducted by an officiant. Many couples choosing this route hold their own meaningful ceremony with family and friends as witnesses.

Philadelphia Marriage Record Copies and Corrections

The Register of Wills maintains Philadelphia marriage records and issues certified copies upon request. If you order an additional certified copy at the time of your application, the cost is $15. After the license has been recorded, certified copies are $40 each. Corrections to a recorded marriage record carry a $25 fee. If a license is lost before the ceremony has taken place, a replacement can be issued for $10.

Philadelphia provides an online marriage record search covering records from 1995 to the present. The search tool is available through the Register of Wills website and allows anyone to look up a marriage record by name without visiting City Hall. This is particularly useful for people verifying their own records, researchers, or individuals who need documentation for legal purposes. Visit the Philadelphia Register of Wills marriage license search page to access the tool.

The Philadelphia Register of Wills online search portal provides access to marriage records from 1995 forward, a helpful resource for verifying or locating Philadelphia marriage documentation without an office visit.

Note: For Philadelphia marriage records predating 1995, contact the office directly at (215) 686-2234 to discuss research options.

Pennsylvania Marriage Statutes That Apply in Philadelphia

Every Philadelphia marriage license application is governed by Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, the domestic relations chapter of state law. These statutes apply in Philadelphia County the same as they do in every other county in Pennsylvania. Understanding the key provisions helps you prepare for the process and avoid complications.

Section 1301 establishes that a valid marriage license is required before any marriage ceremony takes place in Pennsylvania. Section 1303 imposes the three-day waiting period. Section 1304(b) sets the minimum age for applicants at 18. Section 1306 requires both parties to appear in person at the issuing office. Section 1310 limits the license validity period to 60 days. Section 1503 identifies who is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in Pennsylvania, including judges, magistrates, clergy, and certain other officials.

Philadelphia has been issuing marriage licenses since the 1800s. The Register of Wills holds one of Pennsylvania's oldest continuous collections of marriage records, and the city's records are an important resource for genealogical research.

• §1301 — Marriage license required before any ceremony
• §1303 — Three-day waiting period required
• §1304(b) — Both applicants must be at least 18
• §1306 — Both parties must appear in person
• §1310 — License is valid for 60 days
• §1503 — Authorized officiants under Pennsylvania law

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