Upper Darby Marriage License Applications
Upper Darby Township residents do not apply for a marriage license at the Upper Darby Township Building. Marriage licenses in Delaware County are issued by the Delaware County Register of Wills, which is located at the Delaware County Government Center in Media, the county seat. The Government Center is approximately 10 miles from Upper Darby, an easy drive or transit trip for most residents. Both applicants must appear together in person at the Register of Wills office to submit their marriage license application.
Upper Darby Quick Facts
Delaware County Register of Wills for Upper Darby
The Delaware County Register of Wills is housed at the Delaware County Government Center at 201 West Front Street in Media, Pennsylvania. The office number for the Register of Wills is (610) 891-4545. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Delaware County website provides updated information on the office's services and any changes to hours or procedures.
| Office | Delaware County Register of Wills Government Center, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA 19063 Phone: (610) 891-4545 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Fee | Approximately $60–$80 (verify current fee with office) |
| County | Delaware County |
Call (610) 891-4545 to confirm the current fee and any appointment requirements before making the trip to Media from Upper Darby.
Note: Media is the borough that serves as Delaware County's seat and is home to several county offices in addition to the Register of Wills.
Upper Darby Marriage License ID and Documentation
Both applicants must appear together at the Delaware County Register of Wills to apply for an Upper Darby marriage license. This requirement comes from Pennsylvania statute §1306. Each person must present a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military identification. You may also be asked to provide Social Security information during the application.
Previously married applicants face additional requirements. A widowed applicant must present a certified copy of the former spouse's death certificate. A divorced applicant must bring the final divorce decree issued by the court. If the divorce took place in another state or country, the decree must still be presented, and a certified copy is preferred over a photocopy. Any foreign-language documents need certified English translations before the office can process them. The minimum age to apply for a marriage license in Pennsylvania is 18, as required by §1304(b).
Upper Darby and Delaware County Waiting Period
After you apply for your Upper Darby marriage license at the Delaware County Register of Wills, a three-day waiting period begins. This waiting period is required by §1303 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The license is issued on the day of application, but the ceremony cannot take place until the three days have passed. No exceptions are available for residents of Upper Darby or elsewhere in Delaware County under standard circumstances.
Your Upper Darby marriage license remains valid for 60 days from the date of issuance, per §1310. If the ceremony is not held within that window, the license expires and a new application must be submitted. Plan your visit to the Media office so that you apply early enough to complete the three-day wait while keeping your ceremony date within the 60-day validity window. Upper Darby has easy access to venues throughout Delaware County and neighboring Philadelphia and Montgomery counties, giving residents many options for ceremony locations.
Note: The 60-day validity clock starts on the day the license is issued, not on the day the waiting period ends.
About Upper Darby and Delaware County
Upper Darby is a township in Delaware County and is one of the most densely populated townships in the entire United States. With a population exceeding 80,000 residents, Upper Darby functions much like a small city even though it is technically an unincorporated township. The township borders the city of Philadelphia along its eastern edge and is served by the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line, making it highly connected to the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Delaware County is one of the four original counties surrounding Philadelphia in southeastern Pennsylvania. The county has a long history as a residential and industrial region with strong connections to the city. The Register of Wills in Media maintains historical marriage records that span many decades, serving as a resource for genealogists and family researchers. Delaware County's marriage records from 1885 onward are among the most complete county-level archives in the region, though access to older records may require contacting the office directly.
The Delaware County website provides current information on the Register of Wills office in Media, where Upper Darby residents apply for marriage licenses.
Pennsylvania Law and Upper Darby Marriage Licenses
Upper Darby marriage license applications, like all marriage licenses in Pennsylvania, are regulated by Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. Section 1301 requires that a valid license be obtained before any marriage takes place. Section 1303 creates the three-day waiting period. Section 1304(b) establishes the minimum age of 18. Section 1306 mandates personal appearance by both parties. Section 1310 sets the 60-day validity window. Section 1503 identifies who may lawfully perform a marriage ceremony in Pennsylvania, covering judges, magistrates, clergy, and other authorized individuals.
Couples in Upper Darby who are planning a ceremony should confirm that their chosen officiant qualifies under §1503 before finalizing ceremony plans. In the dense suburban environment of Upper Darby and the broader Delaware County area, there are many ordained clergy, civil magistrates, and registered secular officiants who can legally perform a ceremony in Pennsylvania. The Register of Wills office in Media can provide general guidance on the officiant requirement if you have questions.
- Apply at 201 West Front Street, Media (not at Upper Darby Township offices)
- Both applicants must appear together under §1306
- Three-day waiting period under §1303
- License valid 60 days under §1310
- Fee approximately $60–$80; call (610) 891-4545 to confirm