Clinton County Marriage License and Records
Clinton County couples who want to marry in Pennsylvania must apply for a marriage license through the Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds office in Lock Haven, the county seat. The office is at 2 Piper Way, Suite 239, Lock Haven, PA 17745. Jennifer L. Hoy serves as Register of Wills. The office can be reached by phone at (570) 893-4010 or (570) 893-4020, by fax at (570) 893-4041 or (570) 893-4288, or by email at regrec@clintoncountypa.gov. Marriage license records in Clinton County go back to October 1885.
Office Hours for Clinton County Marriage License Applications
The Clinton County Register of Wills office has an important schedule note. Most days the office is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday follow these full hours. Wednesday is a half day, with the office closing at 12:30 PM. If you plan to visit on a Wednesday, arrive early. Missing the Wednesday cutoff means waiting until Thursday to apply, which can affect your wedding timeline if you have a tight schedule.
Calling the office before your visit to confirm current hours and any holiday closures is always a good idea. The email address regrec@clintoncountypa.gov is another way to reach staff with basic questions before you make the trip to Lock Haven.
Note: Wednesday closings at noon are not common across all Pennsylvania counties. If you are coming from a distance, plan your trip on a full-day business day to avoid any scheduling conflicts.
Applying for a Clinton County Marriage License
Both applicants must appear together in person at the Register of Wills office. Pennsylvania law under 23 Pa.C.S. §1306 requires in-person appearance by both parties. Bring valid photo identification for each applicant. A current driver's license, state-issued ID, or passport each satisfy this requirement. You will also need to provide your Social Security number.
The clerk will ask for full legal names, dates of birth, places of birth, and parental information for both applicants. This is standard across all Pennsylvania counties. If either person was married before, bring documentation that the prior marriage has ended. A certified divorce decree is needed for divorces. A death certificate is required if the former spouse has passed away.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old per §1304(b). Marriage between close blood relatives or first cousins is prohibited under §1304(e). A license is required for all marriages in the state under §1301.
Waiting Period and Validity of a Clinton County Marriage License
After submitting your application, a three-day waiting period begins before the license is valid. This requirement comes from 23 Pa.C.S. §1303. The day you apply is not counted among the three days. Your license will typically be ready for pickup on the fourth calendar day after you apply. Schedule your wedding date at least three days after your application date to ensure the license is in hand and valid when you need it.
Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days under §1310. If the ceremony does not happen within 60 days, the license expires and a new application must be submitted. A Clinton County marriage license is valid for use anywhere in Pennsylvania. The county of application does not determine where the ceremony must take place.
Clinton County Marriage License Records Since 1885
The Clinton County Register of Wills maintains marriage license records going back to October 1885. This is a significant archive for those researching family history in central Pennsylvania. The office also handles land transfers, wills, adoptions, and military discharge recording, making it a comprehensive source of historical documents for Clinton County.
The Pennsylvania State Archives vital statistics records portal provides access to historical marriage and other vital records that complement county-level research.
The Pennsylvania vital records genealogy page offers guidance for researchers looking for historic marriage, birth, and death records across the state, including Clinton County.
Marriage license applications are public records under 23 Pa.C.S. §1309. Contact the Clinton County office for information on how to request access to historical records.
Lock Haven and Clinton County
Lock Haven is a small city on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in north-central Pennsylvania. It serves as both the county seat of Clinton County and the home of Lock Haven University. The university brings a steady influx of students, faculty, and families to the area. Clinton County is known for its forests, rivers, and outdoor recreation, including fishing and hiking along the Susquehanna and the surrounding mountain terrain.
Couples from throughout the county, including those from Renovo, Mill Hall, and surrounding townships, make the trip to Lock Haven to apply for marriage licenses. The courthouse at 2 Piper Way is in the center of the city and easy to find. Office staff are accustomed to assisting first-time applicants and can walk you through the process step by step.
The Clinton County Register and Recorder website provides contact details and updated information on services offered by the office.
Legal Requirements Under Pennsylvania Marriage Law
Pennsylvania's marriage statutes under Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes govern every aspect of the marriage license process. A license is required for all marriages under §1301. Both parties must appear in person under §1306. The three-day waiting period is required under §1303. Both must be at least 18 under §1304(b). Licenses are valid for 60 days under §1310. Applications are public records under §1309.
Authorized officiants are defined in §1503 and include judges, justices of the peace, and ordained or licensed religious clergy. Some religious traditions permit self-uniting ceremonies. Confirm that your officiant meets state requirements before the ceremony. Common law marriage was abolished in Pennsylvania on January 1, 2005, under §1103.
The Pennsylvania Courts Orphans' Court Clerks directory lists contact information for every county's marriage license office.