Cameron County Marriage License Information
Cameron County is one of Pennsylvania's smallest and most rural counties, but it follows the same state process for issuing marriage licenses as every other county in the commonwealth. Couples who plan to marry must apply in person at the Cameron County Courthouse in Emporium, the county seat. The office staff can walk you through each step of the application and answer questions about required documents. Knowing what to expect before you go makes the visit much easier.
Applying for a Cameron County Marriage License
The Cameron County Courthouse is located at 20 East Fifth Street, Emporium, PA 15834. The office that handles marriage licenses can be reached at (814) 486-3349 ext. 3. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, except for court-approved holidays. Both applicants must appear together in person. No online or mail applications are accepted for new licenses.
The total fee for a Cameron County marriage license includes the license fee, an application surcharge, and a declaration fee. Payment is accepted in cash only. Bring exact change or enough to cover the full amount. Confirm the current breakdown with the office before your visit.
Cameron County was named after Simon Cameron, who served as Abraham Lincoln's first Secretary of War. It is one of the least populated counties in Pennsylvania, with Emporium as the only borough of significant size.
Note: The office is closed on court-approved holidays. Check with the courthouse before making the trip on days near state or federal holidays.
Documents Required for a Cameron County Marriage License
Both applicants must present valid photo identification. A current driver's license, state-issued ID card, or passport satisfies this requirement. You will also need to provide your Social Security number. Bring your Social Security card or another document showing the number. The clerk will collect full legal names, dates of birth, places of birth, and parental information for both applicants as part of the standard form.
If either person was married before, additional documents are required. A divorce decree is needed if the prior marriage ended in divorce. A death certificate is required if a previous spouse passed away. Foreign-language documents must come with a certified English translation. Without certified translations, the office cannot accept foreign records as proof of prior marital status.
Pennsylvania law under 23 Pa.C.S. §1304(b) sets the minimum marriage age at 18. Both applicants must meet this requirement. The statute also bars marriage between blood relatives and first cousins under §1304(e). Both parties must appear together per §1306.
Waiting Period and Validity of Cameron County Marriage Licenses
After submitting your application, Pennsylvania law requires a three-day waiting period before your license is valid. This rule comes from 23 Pa.C.S. §1303. The day you apply does not count toward the three days. Plan your wedding date with this gap in mind. If you need the license sooner, a judge may grant a waiver in limited circumstances, though this is not routine.
Military applicants are exempt from the three-day waiting period. Active duty service members should bring documentation of their military status when applying. The office can confirm what qualifies as acceptable proof at the time of your visit.
Once issued, a Cameron County marriage license is valid for 60 days under §1310. Your wedding must take place before the license expires. If the 60-day window passes, you must start the process again. Build in some buffer time when scheduling the ceremony.
Cameron County Marriage License and the Orphans' Court
The office in Cameron County that issues marriage licenses also serves as the Clerk of Orphans' Court. This means the same staff handles wills, estates, adoptions, and other court-related records. Marriage license applications are considered public records under 23 Pa.C.S. §1309. Anyone may request access to these records, though certified copies may require a small fee.
Researchers and family historians often turn to the Cameron County Courthouse to find historical marriage records. The office maintains records going back many decades. Calling ahead to ask about record availability before your visit is a good practice. Staff can tell you what years are on file and what format the records are in.
The Pennsylvania Courts Orphans' Court Clerks directory provides contact information for all 67 county offices across the state.
The Cameron County official website provides current contact information and details for the office that handles marriage license applications in Emporium.
Note: Cameron County's small size means the office may have limited staff. Arriving early in the morning gives you the best chance of a quick, uninterrupted visit.
Where Your Cameron County Marriage License Is Valid
A marriage license issued by Cameron County is valid for use anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania. The ceremony does not need to take place in Cameron County or even in Emporium. Couples often apply in their home county and hold the wedding in another location. The license travels with the couple.
Authorized officiants in Pennsylvania include judges, justices of the peace, and ordained or licensed religious leaders, as outlined in 23 Pa.C.S. §1503. Some religious traditions also permit self-uniting marriages. Make sure your officiant is legally authorized under Pennsylvania law before the ceremony. The Pennsylvania Marriage Law (Title 23) is the definitive source for these requirements.
After Your Cameron County Marriage License Ceremony
Once the ceremony takes place, the officiant must sign the marriage license and return it to the issuing office. This step is the officiant's responsibility, not the couple's. The signed license creates the official record of the marriage. After the office processes the returned license, couples can request certified copies.
Certified copies are commonly needed for legal name changes, Social Security updates, passport applications, and insurance records. Contact the Cameron County office to ask about the process and any applicable fees. Turnaround times can vary depending on how busy the office is at the time of the request.
Pennsylvania abolished common law marriage effective January 1, 2005, under 23 Pa.C.S. §1103. A legally issued and properly returned marriage license is the only recognized path to a valid marriage in the state.