Erie County Marriage License Application Process
Getting a marriage license in Erie County means working with the Erie County Clerk of Records, a unique combined office that oversees several court divisions. The Marriage Bureau is located at the Erie County Courthouse, 140 West Sixth Street, Room 123, Erie, PA 16501. Erie is the county seat and the fourth largest city in Pennsylvania. Lake Erie forms the county's northern border, giving it a distinct geography unlike most other Pennsylvania counties. Both applicants must appear in person together to apply. An online marriage application is now available to help start the process.
Erie County Marriage License Office Contact and Location
The Marriage Bureau is in Room 123 of the Erie County Courthouse at 140 West Sixth Street in Erie. You can reach the office by phone at 814-451-6347. Call this number to schedule an appointment before your visit.
The elected Clerk of Records is Aubrea Hagerty-Haynes, who took office in 2021. The Clerk of Records oversees a combined office that includes the Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, and Clerk of Orphans' Court divisions. This unified structure is uncommon in Pennsylvania and reflects a county-level decision to consolidate court administration.
Because the office handles so many functions, scheduling an appointment is especially important. Walk-in availability may be limited. Call 814-451-6347 to set up a time that works for both applicants before making the trip to the courthouse.
Erie County Marriage License Fees Effective March 2025
As of March 1, 2025, the total fee for an Erie County marriage license is $65.00. This breaks down into a $60 license fee and a $5 fee for one certified copy. If you pay by credit card, an additional $2.00 processing fee applies. Cash is accepted without a surcharge.
Additional certified copies cost $5 each. To request a copy by mail, send a check or money order payable to Clerk of Records along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests require the full copy fee and proper return postage to be processed.
Note: Fees can change. Confirm the current fee schedule by calling 814-451-6347 before your appointment.
Erie County Marriage License Online Application
Erie County now offers a new online marriage application. This tool allows applicants to begin the process before arriving at the courthouse. Completing the online form in advance can reduce time spent at the office during your appointment.
Even with the online application, both applicants must still appear in person at the time of their appointment. The license is given at the appointment, but you cannot use it until three full days have passed. This waiting period is required by Pennsylvania statute §1303.
Visit the Erie County marriage license page to access the online application and find current instructions, fee information, and contact details.
The image below shows the Erie County marriage licenses page from the Clerk of Records website, which includes the online application link and full procedure details.
This is the main resource for couples applying for a marriage license in Erie County, with step-by-step information and access to the online application portal.
Erie County Marriage License Document Requirements
Both applicants must appear together at the courthouse. Pennsylvania statute §1306 requires this in every county. Neither applicant can complete the process without the other being present at the same time.
Bring a valid photo ID to your appointment. Each applicant must provide their Social Security number. The office will use these to verify identity and confirm that both parties are eligible to marry in Pennsylvania.
If either applicant has been divorced, bring the most recent divorce decree to the appointment. If you resumed your maiden name after your divorce, bring proof of that name change as well. If a prior marriage ended because a spouse died, bring the death certificate for that person.
Under §1304(b), both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Marriage between blood relatives as close as first cousins is prohibited under §1304(e). These rules apply throughout Pennsylvania, including Erie County.
Non-Pennsylvania residents can apply for and receive an Erie County marriage license. However, the license can only be used within the state of Pennsylvania. It has no legal effect in another state.
Erie County Marriage License Waiting Period and Validity
You receive the license at your appointment. But you cannot use it right away. A three-day waiting period must pass first. This is required by state law under §1303 and applies in every county, including Erie.
Plan your appointment date with the ceremony date in mind. If you want to marry on a Saturday, your appointment should be no later than Tuesday of that week. Account for holidays when the courthouse may be closed, as those days can affect the timeline.
The license is valid for 60 days under state statute §1310. If you do not hold a ceremony within 60 days, the license expires. You would then need to apply again and pay the fee a second time. Track your expiration date carefully once you receive the document.
The image below shows the main Clerk of Records page for Erie County, which covers all divisions of the office including the Marriage Bureau.
The Clerk of Records office is the central resource for court-related records in Erie County, handling everything from marriage licenses to property and estate records.
Note: Because the Erie County Clerk of Records covers multiple divisions, confirm you are contacting the Marriage Bureau specifically when you call 814-451-6347.
Erie County Marriage License and State Law
Pennsylvania's marriage laws come from Title 23 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. These rules govern every county in the commonwealth, including Erie. The full text of Title 23 is available online and covers every step of the license process.
Among the key provisions: §1301 requires a license before any marriage ceremony can take place. §1309 makes the license a public record from the moment it is issued. Under §1503, the ceremony must be performed by an authorized officiant such as a judge, justice of the peace, or a religious leader with proper credentials.
Common-law marriage is not valid in Pennsylvania for any union formed on or after January 1, 2005. This comes from §1103. Couples who wish their relationship to be legally recognized must go through the formal license and ceremony process.
The Pennsylvania Courts statewide directory lists all 67 county Orphans' Court clerk offices. Erie County's office is part of the larger Clerk of Records structure but is included in this statewide listing.
Erie County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Marriage records in Erie County are public documents. Once the license is issued, it is accessible to anyone who requests it. Certified copies are available through the Clerk of Records office and are needed for a range of legal and administrative purposes.
Common uses for a certified copy include:
- Updating a name on a Social Security card or driver's license
- Changing a name on a passport application
- Adding a spouse to an insurance policy
- Filing joint federal or state income taxes
- Updating financial or banking accounts
Mail requests for certified copies should include a check or money order payable to Clerk of Records, the $5 copy fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. In-person requests can be handled at Room 123 of the courthouse during regular business hours.