Applying for a Scranton Marriage License

Scranton residents apply for a marriage license at the Lackawanna County Register of Wills, not at Scranton City Hall. The good news is that the Register of Wills office is located right in Scranton itself, inside the Scranton Electric Building at 507 Linden Street. Scranton serves as the county seat of Lackawanna County, so city residents have the convenience of a nearby county office. An appointment is required before visiting, and both applicants must appear together in person on the scheduled date to submit the application.

Lackawanna County Register of Wills in Scranton

The Lackawanna County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court operates from the Scranton Electric Building at 507 Linden Street in downtown Scranton. The office phone number is (570) 963-6702, and hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. An appointment is required for marriage license applications, so you should not arrive expecting to walk in. The county also offers an online application option that can be completed before your scheduled appointment, reducing time at the counter. Visit the Lackawanna County marriage license page for current details and to access the online application.

The $70 fee is set by Lackawanna County and applies to all applicants processed through the Scranton office. Confirm accepted payment methods when scheduling your appointment.

Scranton Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must appear together at the Lackawanna County Register of Wills at their scheduled appointment time. This is required by Pennsylvania statute §1306. Each person must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable options include a driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military identification. Applicants will also need to provide Social Security information as part of the application process.

If one or both applicants have been previously married, additional documentation is required. A widowed applicant must present a certified copy of the deceased spouse's death certificate. A divorced applicant needs the original or a certified copy of the final divorce decree from the court that granted the divorce. Documents in languages other than English require certified translations. All applicants must meet the minimum age of 18, as established by §1304(b). Using the online application before your appointment can streamline the process and reduce wait time at the Scranton office.

Note: If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, contact the office at (570) 963-6702 as soon as possible.

Scranton Marriage License Waiting Period

After you apply at the Lackawanna County office in Scranton, a mandatory three-day waiting period begins before the marriage license becomes usable. This requirement is found in §1303 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The license is issued on the day of your appointment, but no ceremony may take place until three full days have passed from the date of application.

The Scranton marriage license remains valid for 60 days from the date of issuance per §1310. If the ceremony does not occur within 60 days, the license lapses and the couple must submit a new application. For Scranton couples with a set ceremony date, schedule your appointment to allow at least three days before the event while ensuring the ceremony falls within the validity window. The appointment requirement at Lackawanna County means planning ahead is especially important.

Scranton and Lackawanna County History

Scranton is the sixth-largest city in Pennsylvania and the largest city in northeastern Pennsylvania. It serves as the county seat of Lackawanna County, a county that was formed from Luzerne County in 1878 with Scranton designated as its seat from the beginning. The city was historically one of the leading anthracite coal and iron production centers in the United States, and its architecture reflects the prosperity of that industrial era. The Scranton Electric Building, where the Register of Wills office is housed, is itself a historic landmark in the city's downtown corridor.

Scranton has a diverse religious and ethnic heritage rooted in the waves of immigration that accompanied the industrial boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The city is home to the University of Scranton, Marywood University, and Lackawanna College, giving it an active academic presence alongside its industrial history. Couples planning a wedding in Scranton have access to historic venues, parks, and the natural landscape of the Lackawanna River valley as settings for their ceremonies. The Register of Wills office on Linden Street maintains a collection of marriage records that documents the city's long and varied marital history.

Pennsylvania Marriage Law and Scranton Licenses

All Scranton marriage license applications are governed by Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The primary provisions relevant to applicants are §1301, which requires a license before the ceremony; §1303, the three-day waiting period; §1304(b), the 18-year minimum age; §1306, requiring both parties to appear in person; §1310, limiting validity to 60 days; and §1503, which defines who is authorized to perform marriages in Pennsylvania. Visit the Lackawanna County website for current information on the Register of Wills and appointment scheduling.

The Lackawanna County website provides current information on the Register of Wills, appointment scheduling, and the online application tool available to Scranton marriage license applicants.

Officiants for Scranton ceremonies must qualify under §1503. Judges, magistrates, and ordained clergy are all eligible. Secular officiants registered under Pennsylvania law are also permitted. Confirm that your chosen officiant meets the requirements before finalizing your ceremony plans.

Other Pennsylvania Cities

View All Cities