Bedford County Marriage License Office Guide

Bedford County is a rural county in south-central Pennsylvania where the town of Bedford serves as the county seat. Couples applying for a marriage license here will work with two distinct offices at the Bedford County Courthouse: the Register of Wills and the Clerk of Orphans' Court. These are separate offices, each with its own staff and contact information, which is important to know before your visit. This page explains how both offices work together in the marriage license process and what Pennsylvania law requires before any ceremony can take place.

Bedford County Courthouse: Two Offices, One Location

Bedford County is one of the Pennsylvania counties where the Register of Wills and the Clerk of Orphans' Court operate as separate offices. Both are housed at the same address, 200 South Juliana Street in Bedford, PA 15522, but they have different staff and different phone numbers. Knowing which office to contact for your specific need saves time.

The Register of Wills is held by Alyssa Miller. You can reach her office at 814-623-4836 or by fax at 814-624-0488. The mailing address is 200 South Juliana Street, Bedford, PA 15522-1795.

The Clerk of Orphans' Court is Sheri Lowery. That office can be reached at 814-623-4833 or by fax at 814-623-4831. The address is the same courthouse at 200 South Juliana Street, Bedford, PA 15522.

Call either office before your visit to confirm which one handles the specific step you need to complete. In some counties, both functions are combined under one official. In Bedford County, they are not.

Note: Bedford County is one of the few Pennsylvania counties where the Register of Wills and the Clerk of Orphans' Court are entirely separate offices, even though they share a courthouse address.

How to Apply for a Bedford County Marriage License

Pennsylvania law requires both applicants to appear in person when applying for a marriage license. Section 1306 of Title 23 makes no exceptions for this requirement. You cannot mail in an application or have someone else apply on your behalf.

Bring a valid photo ID issued by a government agency. A driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID card all qualify. You will need to provide your Social Security number as well. Both applicants must be ready to present this information at the time of the visit.

If either applicant was previously married, additional documents are required. A certified divorce decree is needed if the prior marriage ended in divorce. The decree must show when and where the divorce was granted. If a prior spouse has passed away, bring documentation confirming the date of death. Arriving without these documents will delay your application.

Bedford County does not have an online application portal. All steps take place in person at the courthouse. Call ahead to confirm current hours and any scheduling requirements that may apply.

Pennsylvania Marriage License Law and Bedford County

The rules governing marriage licenses in Bedford County are set by Pennsylvania state law. Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is the legal foundation. Understanding the key sections before you apply helps avoid delays.

Section 1301 states that a marriage license is required for every legal marriage in Pennsylvania. Without one, no ceremony can produce a valid marriage. This applies throughout the state, from Philadelphia to Bedford County and every place in between.

Section 1303 creates a 3-day waiting period. After you submit your application, you must wait three full days before the license becomes usable. If your ceremony is in five days, apply today. If it is tomorrow, you have a problem. Emergency waivers exist but are rare and require court involvement.

Section 1304(b) requires both applicants to be at least 18 years old. Section 1304(e) prohibits marriages between people who are blood relatives. This includes first cousins, not just immediate family members. Section 1310 gives the license a 60-day life span. Use it within that window or reapply.

Bedford County Marriage License and Vital Records Access

Pennsylvania maintains vital records at both the county and state level. For Bedford County marriage records, the local courthouse is the primary point of contact. For older or more broadly researched records, the state offers several resources.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health vital records program is one option for statewide records access. This program covers birth, death, and marriage records maintained at the state level. It is especially useful when a county-level search does not return the record you need.

The Pennsylvania Courts directory of Orphans' Court clerks lists all 67 county Orphans' Court offices, including both relevant offices in Bedford County. This directory is useful for researchers tracing family history across county lines.

Who Can Perform a Marriage Ceremony in Bedford County

Section 1503 of Pennsylvania Title 23 outlines who is legally allowed to perform a marriage ceremony. Judges and mayors may officiate. Ordained ministers, priests, and rabbis are also authorized. Your chosen officiant must fall within one of these categories for the marriage to be legally valid.

Bedford County's rural character means many couples choose outdoor ceremonies, farms, or historic venues in the area. Whatever location you choose, the legal requirements do not change. A valid license and a qualified officiant are both essential.

Pennsylvania abolished common-law marriage after January 1, 2005, under Section 1103. Any relationship established after that date does not carry marital legal status without a license and ceremony. This applies in Bedford County as it does everywhere in the state.

Note: Section 1309 of Pennsylvania Title 23 states that marriage license applications are filed immediately as public records, making them accessible for research once submitted.

Researching Bedford County Marriage Records

Historical marriage records in Bedford County are held at the courthouse. Researchers interested in family genealogy or verifying a historical marriage should contact the Register of Wills office at 814-623-4836. Staff can advise on what records are available and what information you need to provide to locate a specific entry.

For records that extend beyond what the county holds, the Pennsylvania State Archives is a key resource. The archives maintain vital statistics records and are accessible for genealogy research requests.

Marriage records in Pennsylvania are public records under Section 1309. This means that researchers can request access to marriage license records without special authorization. The process for obtaining copies and any associated fees should be confirmed with the relevant Bedford County office before submitting a request.

Planning Your Bedford County Marriage License Visit

Bedford County is a small, rural community. The courthouse is central to the borough of Bedford, which is accessible from US Route 30 and Pennsylvania Route 220. If you are coming from outside the county, plan your trip to arrive during office hours, as services may not be available at the end of the business day.

Call the Register of Wills at 814-623-4836 or the Clerk of Orphans' Court at 814-623-4833 before your visit. Confirm which office handles your specific step in the marriage license process. Ask about any current scheduling requirements or documentation specifics that apply to your situation.

Applying with enough lead time is key. The 3-day waiting period under Section 1303 means your earliest possible ceremony date is four or more days after you apply. Building in extra days gives you flexibility if anything needs to be corrected or resubmitted.

After your ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the completed license. That signed license officially records the marriage in Bedford County. If certified copies are needed later, contact the appropriate courthouse office with the date and parties involved.